Keep Punching!

A good week so far at Arcola.  Vented greens on Monday, tees on Tuesday and approaches today and tomorrow.  More rain forecast for Friday into Saturday.  Firm and fast seems like a distant memory!

Monday Morning Maintenance

Topdressed the greens Sunday night before the rain and now venting them between rain on Monday morning.  Nice relief following a few hot and sticky days.

Last Minute Spray

Even though we did not get to vent the 12th fairway today, we noticed a great deal of wilting was starting on it.  Once we checked moisture levels, they were high enough that this should not be happening.  We suspect it is either wet wilt or root pythium or dysfunction.  We made a fungicide application to this fairway only tonight to see if it will keep it in check.  The recent heavy rains followed by higher humidity will lead to any of the things I mentioned above.  The 12th fairway is always one of our weaker ones so we have to baby this along for the next month or so.

Fairway Venting

Today we vented the fairways using 1/2" solid tines.  With all the mowing and rain of late, we need to open them up a bit to let them breathe.  Once we mowed after, it was hard to notice any disruption to the turf.

Frustrating

This is a picture of us having to dig up an irrigation isolation valve on the 9th hole.  When the system was installed in 2005, they put in cheap valves that have been failing since 2010 and earlier.  Once the valve fails, we have to shut off the pumps to make irrigation repairs.  Today is no different, as we have to replace this one and the one on the 7th hole.  We usually replace 10-12 per year, but the biggest pain is having to drain the irrigation system every time we have to do a repair and then recharge it, which uses up water and goes against our allocation.

Miserable Prep Morning for Arcola Cup

Thanks to my staff and for 5 friends who came in to help us mow for the Arcola Cup.  Unfortunately the weather will not allow us to put our best foot forward.