I have included some photos to show you just how bad it was on Monday morning after we cut the front side.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
War on Clippings
The rainy day last friday followed by a bright, warm and sunny weekend was the perfect combo for an explosion of grass growth. Every spring we face the challenge of keeping up with the surge. If you encounter areas of rough that have large amounts of grass clippings please be assured that it is bothering me and I will have it cleaned up.
I have included some photos to show you just how bad it was on Monday morning after we cut the front side.
I have included some photos to show you just how bad it was on Monday morning after we cut the front side.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Aerification Healing Nicely!
Today marks the 2 week point from when we aerified the greens. They are healing in very nicely and I do not recall them ever healing in quite as fast as this. It seems that waiting a couple extra weeks turned out to be a good thing.
Here is a picture I took of number five green surface this morning :
The keen observer may notice the poa annua seedheads in the picture. We have not used any growth regulators to stop any seed head production this year becuase we wanted to see how it would affect our recovery time. So far our recovery time has been great.
Here is a picture I took of number five green surface this morning :
The keen observer may notice the poa annua seedheads in the picture. We have not used any growth regulators to stop any seed head production this year becuase we wanted to see how it would affect our recovery time. So far our recovery time has been great.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
What's Happening - A sample of todays maintenance.
Just wanted to give you a day in the life of maintenance at Kenmure.
I won't do this everyday, just from time to time to give everyone an idea
We started the day with rain but it ended up very nice. We make our decision to go "flags only" by 9:00 am and the forecast was unsure.
Here is what happened today:
1. All tee boxes, greens and collars mowed.
2. All bunker edges weedeated.
3. 2 men spend the entire day mowing rough.
4. The driving range was mowed, and all divots filled.
5. Clyde (Horticulture) spent the day removing weeds from beds.
6. Irrigation pipe installation begins on tennis courts.
Things that are happening soon:
1. Sod installation behind driving range.
2. Pre-emerge weed control and fungicide applied to greens (Monday)
3. Finish Tennis Court Irrigation.
4. Finish Mulch, Start Pine Straw.
5. Finish punching tees and fairways.
6. Plant all flower beds on course and around clubhouse.
7. Dandelion and Clover Weed Control.
8. Mow, Mow, and Mow some more.
Here are two videos I shot today dealing with Tennis Court Irrigation.
The begining of the project
Tight Squeeze!
I won't do this everyday, just from time to time to give everyone an idea
We started the day with rain but it ended up very nice. We make our decision to go "flags only" by 9:00 am and the forecast was unsure.
Here is what happened today:
1. All tee boxes, greens and collars mowed.
2. All bunker edges weedeated.
3. 2 men spend the entire day mowing rough.
4. The driving range was mowed, and all divots filled.
5. Clyde (Horticulture) spent the day removing weeds from beds.
6. Irrigation pipe installation begins on tennis courts.
Things that are happening soon:
1. Sod installation behind driving range.
2. Pre-emerge weed control and fungicide applied to greens (Monday)
3. Finish Tennis Court Irrigation.
4. Finish Mulch, Start Pine Straw.
5. Finish punching tees and fairways.
6. Plant all flower beds on course and around clubhouse.
7. Dandelion and Clover Weed Control.
8. Mow, Mow, and Mow some more.
Here are two videos I shot today dealing with Tennis Court Irrigation.
The begining of the project
Tight Squeeze!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Revolving Cart Signs
As most of you know, we removed the green & white stakes in the approaches which designate when to leave the fairway with your golf cart. We have found that it provides a better distrubution of traffic wear patterns on the turf. We will still be utilizing the "carts" signs in order to close some holes that are in need of a break. Please keep the carts on the cart path when you see these signs.
Following traffic rules allows us to keep the fairways open to traffic more often.
Following traffic rules allows us to keep the fairways open to traffic more often.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MGA Opening Day
Thanks for the breakfast.
Here is a course maintenance update for everyone:
The greens aerification is complete and I think you will find a good surface with minimal sand. We are pushing growth with a fertilzer application being made as I write this. The forecast for the weekend looks like rain so we could be seeing a very quick recovery.
Tee aerification is in progress. We do not close and holes for this process and we appreciate everyone working with us during this time. Some tees you play may still have unbroomed sand on them, its a very temporary inconvienence.
We are attacking the weed population on a daily basis and hope to get most areas clean in a few weeks. We also will be starting the spring flower planting in the near future.
Here is a course maintenance update for everyone:
The greens aerification is complete and I think you will find a good surface with minimal sand. We are pushing growth with a fertilzer application being made as I write this. The forecast for the weekend looks like rain so we could be seeing a very quick recovery.
Tee aerification is in progress. We do not close and holes for this process and we appreciate everyone working with us during this time. Some tees you play may still have unbroomed sand on them, its a very temporary inconvienence.
We are attacking the weed population on a daily basis and hope to get most areas clean in a few weeks. We also will be starting the spring flower planting in the near future.
April Greens Committee Meeting
GREENS COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Present: Amsler, DeWitt, Fletcher, LaFontine, Laughgridge, Mulcahy
1. Course Condition
No major winter damage.
Some erosion on sides of creeks will be back filled over time.
Small sink holes on #17 will be filled as needed.
Annual planting around the club house and course will begin in May.
Weed control has begun.
Normal winter damage to grass is under repair.
2. Maintenance Schedule
Aeration of all greens was successfully completed by April 12.
Top dressing with sand is in process.
Tees on #10 through #14 have been aerated and top dressed with sand.
All remaining tees and all fairways are in process of aeration and clean up.
3. Projects Update
The green side swale on #17 has been marked as GUR.
Because the swale requires extensive work (time and money), it is on the list of major projects to be done.
The slope behind the driving range mats will be sodded ASAP.
The bridge deck on #18 is on the list for future rehab as needed.
4. Communications
Josh has added a comment to his “course clippings” to encourage members to check out the kenmuregolf.blogspot.com.
Spraying alerts will continue.
Daily course conditions will be posted on the KCC web site, not on email during the summer.
Members will be reminded to exit all bunkers on the low side to avoid damage to bunker edges.
Josh will mention this at the annual opening meeting of both MGA and KWGA.
Mike will reinforce this message at MGA meetings.
5. New Business
Requests for drinking water availability on the course during warm spring weather was discussed, water coolers are now in place.
6. Next Meeting
Wednesday, May 11 at 3:30
Submitted by David Amsler, Chair
cc: Julie Ashbeck, BOG Secretary
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Present: Amsler, DeWitt, Fletcher, LaFontine, Laughgridge, Mulcahy
1. Course Condition
No major winter damage.
Some erosion on sides of creeks will be back filled over time.
Small sink holes on #17 will be filled as needed.
Annual planting around the club house and course will begin in May.
Weed control has begun.
Normal winter damage to grass is under repair.
2. Maintenance Schedule
Aeration of all greens was successfully completed by April 12.
Top dressing with sand is in process.
Tees on #10 through #14 have been aerated and top dressed with sand.
All remaining tees and all fairways are in process of aeration and clean up.
3. Projects Update
The green side swale on #17 has been marked as GUR.
Because the swale requires extensive work (time and money), it is on the list of major projects to be done.
The slope behind the driving range mats will be sodded ASAP.
The bridge deck on #18 is on the list for future rehab as needed.
4. Communications
Josh has added a comment to his “course clippings” to encourage members to check out the kenmuregolf.blogspot.com.
Spraying alerts will continue.
Daily course conditions will be posted on the KCC web site, not on email during the summer.
Members will be reminded to exit all bunkers on the low side to avoid damage to bunker edges.
Josh will mention this at the annual opening meeting of both MGA and KWGA.
Mike will reinforce this message at MGA meetings.
5. New Business
Requests for drinking water availability on the course during warm spring weather was discussed, water coolers are now in place.
6. Next Meeting
Wednesday, May 11 at 3:30
Submitted by David Amsler, Chair
cc: Julie Ashbeck, BOG Secretary
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Spring Aerification Complete
Course Clippings
May 2011
Every spring and fall each golf course completes the most dreaded operation in all of golf,aerification. Usually this process coincides with beautiful weather and disrupts greens,tees, and fairways which appear perfectly healthy. The golf course superintendent isimmediately on the most wanted list and subject to more than a few choice words as
putts fail to roll true.
The quality of golf course turf is more than skin deep. In fact, the condition of the turf has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. In order to maintain greens at 1/8 of an inch or lower, and tees and fairways at ideal playing heights, you need a deep, healthy root system. A healthy root system requires oxygen for respiration to support the plant above. The oxygen for roots is found in tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles. Over the course of the season, there are several factors which eliminate these air pockets. The majority are eliminated through compaction caused by traffic. The traffic is from golfers’ feet and mowing equipment. When the soil and thatch (the layer of organic material between the root and the leaf blade) become compacted or too dense, the pockets on which the roots rely are crushed, leaving very little air in the soil and making it difficult for water to penetrate. The roots are left gasping for air and eventually wither and die, and the whole plant soon follows.
Aerification is a mechanical process that creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping plants stay healthy. Inmost cases, this is achieved by removing cores (often called plugs) and then filling the holes with topdressing. Topdressing is often a certain grade of sand and may have other amendments added which allow the soil to maintain air space, improve water penetration, and encourage healthy root
growth. The sand is brushed into the holes which are usually healed within several days.
Aerification is a short term disruption that has long term benefits for the course. Greens,tees, and fairways will all die eventually without aerification. It is a necessary practice integral to the game of golf. Kenmure Country Club is committed to providing excellent conditions at its golf facility and is constantly experimenting with new techniques to minimize the impact aerification has on the golfer. Please remember those holes are there on occasion to make sure golf can be enjoyed most of the time.
May 2011
Every spring and fall each golf course completes the most dreaded operation in all of golf,aerification. Usually this process coincides with beautiful weather and disrupts greens,tees, and fairways which appear perfectly healthy. The golf course superintendent isimmediately on the most wanted list and subject to more than a few choice words as
putts fail to roll true.
The quality of golf course turf is more than skin deep. In fact, the condition of the turf has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. In order to maintain greens at 1/8 of an inch or lower, and tees and fairways at ideal playing heights, you need a deep, healthy root system. A healthy root system requires oxygen for respiration to support the plant above. The oxygen for roots is found in tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles. Over the course of the season, there are several factors which eliminate these air pockets. The majority are eliminated through compaction caused by traffic. The traffic is from golfers’ feet and mowing equipment. When the soil and thatch (the layer of organic material between the root and the leaf blade) become compacted or too dense, the pockets on which the roots rely are crushed, leaving very little air in the soil and making it difficult for water to penetrate. The roots are left gasping for air and eventually wither and die, and the whole plant soon follows.
Aerification is a mechanical process that creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping plants stay healthy. Inmost cases, this is achieved by removing cores (often called plugs) and then filling the holes with topdressing. Topdressing is often a certain grade of sand and may have other amendments added which allow the soil to maintain air space, improve water penetration, and encourage healthy root
growth. The sand is brushed into the holes which are usually healed within several days.
Aerification is a short term disruption that has long term benefits for the course. Greens,tees, and fairways will all die eventually without aerification. It is a necessary practice integral to the game of golf. Kenmure Country Club is committed to providing excellent conditions at its golf facility and is constantly experimenting with new techniques to minimize the impact aerification has on the golfer. Please remember those holes are there on occasion to make sure golf can be enjoyed most of the time.
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