Just a Poke

We will be spiking the greens on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th. This process is necessary to relieve compaction which facilitates root growth heading into summer. A second important outcome of spiking is channels will be opened allowing vital oxygen to enter the rootzone. The great thing about using these cross-tines is that I can achieve the necessary agronomic goals while limiting surface disruption to the golfers.
A double roll behind the aerifier usually is sufficient to bring back smooth and puttable greens.

Spiking one green with cross tines

Bunker Rehab

Over the last couple of years we have been renovating  bunker faces.  The build up of thatch had created many bare spaces and crevices that caused practically impossible recovery shots.  

This time around we worked on the bunkers on  8,15, and 18.   We began stripping the old patchy fescue grass, and brought it down to bare soil.    

 

 

 Once this was completed,  fertilizer and insecticide was put down in order for the sod to have a better growing environment.  Once the areas were prepped and ready the sod was laid. We used fine fescue this time around Instead of turf type tall fescue.   

 

 

 These areas will be native areas with the grass left to grow long.   This was done to keep the original look and “teeth” of the course.

15  Fairway bunker

8 Fairway bunker

18 bunker

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE...

Maybe the one good thing about below average rainfall this spring, was that the pond water level had dropped. This gave us the opportunity to fix the rock wall next to 15 tee.  The first step, and the worst one, was to pull out all the rocks that had fallen into the pond.  When this was done the remaining dirt that had slid into the pond had to be removed. 

  Once the first two steps were completed our guys were able to start re-stacking the wall.  This time around, drainage was installed behind the wall and back filled with clean stone in order to help alleviate pressure.

 

This pipe will give the water an escape route and should protect the wall from falling in the future

 .  

 

Once the grass seed begins to pop you will never be able to tell that it fell!

SWEET RELIEF!!

After 40 days with above average temps and .3" of rain (yes, that is correct, point 3) since April 21 we finally received a MUCH needed soaking rainfall. At the time of writing we have received 2.1" of rain and coupled with cloudy, cool temps, this will go a long way to alleviate and help to recover some of the brown(wilted) turf.

When I'm forced to rely solely on irrigation water for extended periods certain issues arise.

      One is that our pond water contains very high levels of sodium and bicarbonates.
If a high rate of bicarbonate is added this will bind up pore spaces and cause nutrients in the soil to fall out of suspension making it more difficult for the plants to recover.
      When sodium levels increase dehydration becomes an issue. The problem that occurs is every time we introduce more water the sodium continues to rise and the cycle repeats until a good rainfall flushes the soil. Another issue that can take place with high sodium is a condition known as sodium induced wilt. Wilt can occur within a short period even after it was just watered.
       Last week alone, my staff and I put down 1.7 million gallons through the irrigation system. That is unbelievable considering the total amount used last year was a little over 8 million.

For the numbers people: To irrigate greens,tees and fairways with just 1" of rainfall we would need to run our pumps from 1:00 PM until 12:00 PM the next day and would use 1.4 million gallons. Our irrigation pond holds about 3 million total.

     This past weekend we had a very successful Member/Member tournament with the course in fantastic playing condition. The weather was perfect for the event but remained in the high 80's with bright sunshine and strong breezes which dramatically increased the likelihood of wilting grass.

I will always try to maintain this course on the dry side which helps with root growth especially heading into the heart of summer. Shorter roots can't reserve water and will dry out quickly. They also can't retain essential nutrients that help a plant recover in times of stress.


The wilted spots on the course that were on the edge are recovering quickly and plenty of new green shoots are emerging due the perfectly timed rainfall that flushed that sodium. The brown tips that were effected will grow out and be cut off with the mowers in a few days.