Big Problems come in Small Packages

Just Mocking Me

Last week, quite a few members approached my assistants and me while hovering over an open hole with a quip about the famous movie Caddyshack. “You guys need me to call Bill Murray to help out”. That definitely put a smile on our faces as we searched for the root cause of an electrical break rendering half the satellite boxes on the course inoperable.

Last Thursday, after 4 days of bright sunshine and light breezes, some light wilt started appearing on a few fairways. I grabbed the remote and headed out. Passing by the pumphouse and down 16 cartpath, I punched in a few sprinkler numbers and waited for the confirmation beeps. Good to go, but no water. Tried again. Beep,beep,beep. Nothing. I spun around, checked 4 fairway for golf and typed in the codes. Beep,beep,beep. No heads popping up and that sickening feeling washing over me. Oh lord not again!!! I raced to the pumps and no red fault lights! Whew, we still have water! Opened the breaker panel and there we go, tripped.

Tried the breaker again, 15 seconds later, pop.

Now, this electrical leg travels from the pumphouse to the two satellites in the fescue, down 16 to a junction box at the path to 12 bathroom.  One line heads to the satellites behind 11 and 5 greens. The other continues down 16 fairway, across the creek to 12 fwy, splits again to connect 13 and 15 and then all the way across the road to 8 green and then finally out to 7.

There’s only one way to determine where the break is and that’s going to each splice box, disconnecting all the wires, and then testing with a voltmeter. Once we determine the incoming power line, we reattach the wires and move to the next box.

After 3 hours we finally narrowed down where the break might be, but it was between two boxes and most likely 4-5’ underground. That’s when the professionals were called with all their fancy gadgets and meters.

After 2 hours, and Tim’s(Rainbird Irrigation) needle on the gauge bouncing back and forth we had pinpointed a spot and started digging.

I was on my stomach reaching down the hole as far as I could when I hear “well, isn’t this typical union work, one guy in the hole while 3 guys standing and watching”.  Now that made me laugh! It isn’t always good being the tall guy in the group.

We found our problem! Three feet down, I felt the insulated cable, rough edges, and then exposed copper wire. Bingo!

One tiny little creature, causing so much mayhem!! Never a dull moment at the Crest. 

Grounds and power wires: Never a good match

Aerification update

Aerification went well this fall. Unfortunately we will have to finish the approaches later this season. The heat reached 90 on Tuesday and I didn't want risk damaging any turf. The greens were punched and amendments applied on Monday. We left them open till Wednesday to get as much air and drying time as possible then doubled rolled. Today the greens were mowed and rolled again.
The tees had 3/4" plugs removed,  heavily topdressed and final brushing yesterday.

Aerification Time

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the course will be closed for aerification. We will be punching the greens using the bayonet tines, applying amendments, and topdressing. The sand will be brushed in and greens left to heal. Approaches will be punched using hollow tines and topdressed. We will resume mowing before golf begins on Thursday.
The tees will be cored with 3/4" hollow tines and topdressed to fill the holes. The timing couldn't be better as the rainfall this summer has not let up for two months. Since the last week of June we have collected 12" of rain in our gauge. Certainly a drastic contrast to last year with the 6" that fell over 5 months. This excessive rainfall coupled with much higher levels of humidity has caused soft conditions, shrinking roots and wear in the higher traffic areas. Opening the tees will allow for much needed oxygen to revitalize the plants, create channels for new roots, and remove the wet decaying thatch that slowly but surely weakens the plants.
Fairways will be solid tined later in the fall then topped with gypsum.

You usually won't hear many supers say these words but I'm looking forward to aerification.

Fescue Mowing

In the next week we will be mowing down the majority of native areas in preparation for the next round of sprays. The crew will rake and clean up the debris. I will be applying the second dose of grassy weed herbicides as well as broadleaf control. In early fall (Octoberish) one more application for grassy weeds and a pre-emergent will be sprayed before winter arrives.