Lets Hope for Rain

Being dry for almost 6 weeks, we have really tried to limit our irrigation usage to help toughen up the grass.  However, we do have to use it and over the course of 6-7 weeks of using just pond water, it can have negative effects on our soil and plants.  You will see from our recent irrigation water test, we have problematic levels of Chloride and Bicarbonates.  These lead to premature wilting and seal off the greens, effecting drainage and nutrient uptake.  A nice natural rain will help flush all our soils and alleviate the problem.

Feeling the Effects of the Storm Already

Boy we need the rain, but looks like we are going to have to pay the price to get it.  High winds during the overnight and so far today have started to make a mess of the course.  The oak on 1 will come down today.  More importantly we need the rain to supplement our roughs etc.  We have not irrigated in almost 3 days in preparation of the storm and we are dry right now so hopefully they get this forecast right!

Ball Mark Plugging

We spent the better part of today plugging out ball marks on the 11th and 14th greens.  These are short par 3s that get pounded on a daily basis.  After plugging the ball mark out, we fill the hole with a sand mix that contains seed and fertilizer.

Verticutting Fairways Today

Good progress today on day 1 of verticutting fairways.  We completed 12 fairways today and will finish the rest by lunch tomorrow.  After we mow one or two more times, it will be hard to tell we did anything to them.