School In Session

 

Ewing Irrigation, our distributor for irrigation supplies was generous enough to provide an education in sprinkler head maintenance and troubleshooting today for some of our staff members here at Arcola.  We also looked at controllers on the course and other issues pertaining to keeping our system running efficiently all season.  Now that Victor has retired after 40 years of service, his replacement Pedro Rosa is ready for the season ahead!

Addressing Bunkers

 This is step 1 of addressing bunkers for the season.  Adjusting sand depths throughout each bunker after wind and rain has moved sand around this winter.  This tedious process will take a good week or so and then in mid April we will begin adding new sand where needed.  In all, will probably take a good month to get bunkers in really good shape for the 2023 season.

Covers Off For Good

 

Today we removed the covers for the last time and now we will allow the greens to get acclimated to the cooler temperatures.  The covers were installed in December and removed 2-3 times since to mow or make a pesticide application.  After removing today, we mowed all the greens.  Grass looks great as we prepare for the spring golf season.  Wednesday we will be incorporating more poa plugs into the greens and our nursery.  The small holes will have no impact on putting on our poa greens and is a precursor for the Drill and Fill scheduled for April 3 and 4.  

Would Love Your Opinion.....Do Covers Really Make a Difference???

 

Never A Dull Moment

 

Tuesday afternoon Glen noticed water running down 4 fairway.  As soon as he called, I knew what it could only be, the main water line that feeds the entire club.  Luckily we were able to get the water company to shut it down within an hour or so and then fortunately Dutra was able to get in here today to dig it up and repair it.  What was reported as a 6" main from the water company turned out to be an 8" main.  Luckily it was only 7 feet deep and had a nice crack in it.  Had the pipe completely blew out, it would be a different story.  Hoping we are operational by mid day and get the buildings operational again.

More Drainage....

 

Addressing the right rough along the cart path on 12.  Cart stakes are up for the entire season here since it stays wet.  Lack of sunlight and heavy soils leave this area less than desirable during the year.  This improvement will hopefully eliminate the stakes and improve the health of the rough.  We will assess how the 4 laterals do and possibly add more in the future if needed.  Being this area is pretty flat, we are limited in drainage without going to electric sump pumps.

Head Start....

 

Anything we can get done now, saves us later on.  Trying to start pulling cores on fairways and approaches now instead of early April before weather events.  By removing some thatch now, we will be able to verticut and topdress fairways in early April and get a lot done to fairways with minimal impact to the membership.  A dusting of snow is forecast for tonight, so most likely we will be holding off tomorrow and getting back at it on Wednesday if the weather cooperates.  

Drainage Beginning

 

While we had less than ideal weather this week, with our first significant snow of the season on Monday, it was a good time to do some out of the way drainage.  This area left of 13 path sees a lot of action as people bail out over here.  After heavy rains, this area usually has standing water after, but now that issue should be resolved.

We will be moving through the course and addressing areas that will make a significant impact immediately ahead of the golf course Master Plan process.