Course Conditions

There has been a great deal of praise for the golf course and the condition of the golf course greens.  There are many things we do to maintain greens speed, firmness and how they play, throughout the golf season.  But there is 1 major influence we do not control and that is weather.  Starting out this season we have been able to produce good playing conditions with the main factor being the environment.  The cooler dry weather we have been experiencing in late March and April has slowed turf growth to a halt, and the lack of rain has allowed us to keep the greens dry and firm.  Thus producing fast smooth greens.  We generally enjoy similar conditions in the later part of fall as turf growth slows for the winter.  As spring temperatures increase, grass will start to steadily grow.  This is where our maintenance plan adjusts to try to compensate for the changing environment, best allowing for consistent conditions, and desired green speed.

The fairways and short grass areas on the golf course are showing a lot of contrast making them appear spotty or patchy.   These areas consist of many different grasses, primarily Annual Blue Grass (POA), Bent grass and Rye grass on fairways and tees.  Also with in these grass species there are many different varieties. All of these grasses grow and gain quality green color at different rates during the spring in colder temperatures.  We have treated these areas with a plant growth regulator (PGR) to best eliminate the production of seed.  These PGR's effect grass species in different ways adding to the patchy yellow appearance.  This visual distinction will slowly disappear when these areas start steadily growing. We will soon be able to determine how effective our treatments were on seed production.  Seeding POA on golf course greens effects the smoothness of ball roll, and as well the stalky seed can effect the quality of mower cut on greens,tees, and fairways.

Irrigation Update

We have begun to pressurize and test our irrigation system.  The greens irrigation project that was executed last fall had all it's pipe, wire and components installed.  Since it was completed late fall after we winterized the system, we did not get a chance to test much of the new irrigation or satellites and control system.

It is exciting this spring to see that the hard work preformed by the installing crew (new irrigation shown top left at 11 green) works! We are in the process of testing all the components of the irrigation system and working through the minor problems we expect to incur.

As with most projects,  problems will be encountered along the way.  We found our first small problem on initial fire up.  A small 1.5" irrigation pipe on #12 green that was not connected from the old to new greens system (photo middle left).  This problem was corrected with an easy fix.

The irrigation project also included restoration of the ground affected during the installation.  The contractor will revisit all these areas and restore low and high spots and top dress trenching seams. (photo bottom left).  These areas will heal in and become unnoticeable as the turf actively grows.

Sand Trap Update

We are at about the half-way point on our sand project.  Approximately 300 ton of sand will be added to our sand traps during this process.  The 2 pictures above are some highlights of trailering sand into the bunkers and the maintenance crew spreading out the sand through out. We are hoping to have the majority of sand in the bunkers by the end of next week.

The maintenance crew will be edging the bunkers starting in April to restore a nice defined transition from the sand trap to surrounding turf.

A reminder to players the sand over the next couple weeks will play softer then desired until the sand is compacted.  We will be focusing on keeping our traps consistent this season with firm playability.

Wildlife

In our travels around the golf course yesterday morning we came across a Wild Turkey.  Once in a while we will catch a glimpse of 1 crossing through the golf course.  Our biggest challenge to date has been capturing a quality picture. Click on the image for a larger view

Sand Traps

Over the next few weeks we will be adding approximately 2" of new sand to our bunkers.  Every year sand levels in bunkers depreciate. Factors such as daily maintenance, the environment and golfers, all have an impact on the sand, and the bunker design itself.  It has been 6 years since we had added 2" to our traps.  The goal of adding new sand is to restore the bunkers back to the desired sand levels and playing conditions.   We will be focusing this golf season in improving the consistency from trap to trap.

During the process of adding the new sand, players may encounter a bunker that is under construction.  Please rule that sand trap as "Ground Under Repair".  The newly added sand will also need some time to settle, and create a desired firm playing feel.  Unfortunately "Fried Egg" and "Buried" lies will happen during this process, but will improve daily.

Once the new sand is in place, and the seasonal maintenance staff returns we will be edging all the bunkers at Forest Lake, improving their aesthetics.  We will also move into a daily management of our traps and hand bunker rakes will become available.

Course Conditions

The middle of March has followed the pattern of this winter, "unseasonably warm".  The temperatures have reached the 60's, and the outlook for the next few weeks looks even warmer.   This is great news for our members and guests!  We have opened up the golf course for your enjoyment, and have the greens in play and golf carts available.

The golf course has come through the winter in great shape to start the 2012 season.  The greens crew mowed and rolled the greens for the first time on Tuesday.

Now 1 quick reminder, "It is still March".  The golf course is still in the process of waking up from the winter.  Turf is still dormant and greens although available for play, may not break any speed records.  There is still debris cleanup to be done on the property, and course hardware and services will slowly become available on the course through this month.

The trench lines on the greens that were cut out to improve winter drainage have been placed back in the greens (pictures below). Over the next few weeks this turf will improve and blend into the green.  The playing conditions over the sod will improve daily.

Drain Line on #13

Tamping the sod into #13 trench line

We will be adding 2 inches of sand to our bunkers starting next week.  This will restore the sand in our bunkers to a desired level, and will improve the playability and consistency from trap to trap.  The new sand added will take some time to settle and create a firmer  playing surface.

Since the grass is still dormant it has not begun to rapidly grow, any "damage" we cause today and through the month will be visible in April.

I would like to remind players how they can "Care for the Course" during the early season;

1. Fix Ball Marks
2. Replace Divots
3. Carts -  keep on paved paths and high areas where possible

Welcome back!



 



Course Update

The winter of 2011 / 12 just seems to not want to arrive.  The day time temperatures have seemed to consistently settle in in the mid 30's through December and January.  Most of the precipitation we have received has come to us in the form of rain or very light snow dustings that seem to disappear shortly after sunrise. 

As a turf manager, we always are thinking about how the turf will react under snow cover, if there there is ice forming on the turf, what decisions should I make to ensure the grass will be the best condition come spring.  All of this is subjective depending on each individual winter.  The 2012 winter has us more concerned if the winter fungicide programs we traditionally use in the fall will hold up, or degrade with  mild weather, and exposed grass.  Touring the golf course yesterday, we are in great shape and the turf looks good, with spring not to far away I believe we should have good healthy grass, come winters end.

The upside of the mild weather has allowed us to be out on the golf course doing some tree/hedge pruning.  It has also allowed us the opportunity to clean up some of our maintenance areas on the golf course, most notably the area in the north end of the club parking lot.

With the help of a tree company we removed and trimmed a couple of Silver Maples on Holes #9 and #15.  This will allow space for our younger trees planted in these areas, to grow and mature.  The Silver Maple grove between #12/13 were also trimmed during this time.

#9 Before

#9 After

#15 Before

#15 After

Our main winter focus is always maintaining our equipment.  Jose our equipment manager does a great job in inspecting and maintaining all of our equipment.  During this time all of our reels are sharpened and any equipment problems are addressed, allowing us quality machines for the up-coming golf season.  With the help of the maintenance staff our equipment is detailed and restored to like-new condition.