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.

13 Tee Getting Ready

 

We popped the cover on the new tee on 13 and things look good.  Roots are established enough that we can give it a good roll to smooth it out before we put the cover back on.  A quick fertilizing and a fungicide treatment and we will cover again for another few weeks.  Our focus now is getting the remaining soil in to finish the berm along the fence and then do some hydroseeding and screening planting come April.