The practice areas are all open now that the grass is growing and has a chance to recover.  We have some suggestions on the best method to practice and take care of the turf. 

The following repairs apply to the chipping fairway.  This picture illustrates what not to do when practicing.  This area was played on last fall and still hasn't recovered.  Try and avoid wearing out large areas like this.  Instead take individual divots or follow a narrow line as shown below.

The turf can heal much faster taking divots this way.

Another look with aggressive lateral growth filling the divot.  This type of practice applies only to the chipping fairway.  The driving range tee can be divoted to the max as the bermudagrass is able to recover much faster because of it's extensive root system and aggressive growth habit.  Have at it!

We recently completed landscaping at the 1st tee.  These are carpet roses and they should bloom all summer and into the fall.

The Wonder of Spring

 

Spring is finally here! Things are happening fast with each passing day.  Here are some current pics of the course.

 

Tulips in mass at the club entrance





The sweet fragrance near the first tee is from these viburnums

Rose pushing new growth

Ugh! Poa annua in the practice green. Since removed




Best pansies in the area!



The wow factor!  Peony type tulips at the 18th tee.

Red tail hawk's nest on the 12th hole.

Solid tine aeration of greens.  Hollow tine aeration is scheduled beginning May 6th

 



This week on the course

New trees between #1 Tee & #18 Green

This past week featured snow and more cool weather.  Despite the weather we continued to get the course ready for the upcoming season.  Rough aerification has begun and with dry weather we expect to complete this week.  New trees were planted on holes 1, 5, 9, 10 and 17.  Any trees with red flagging will be played as mandatory ground under repair.  We also mowed fairways for the first time on Friday.



Rough aerificaiton



Poa annua seed head. (middle of picture)

Spring is the time that annual bluegrass (Poa annua) produces a seed head in its growth cycle.  The seed heads are especially troublesome on greens by causing the golf ball to roll off line.  While in a perfect world there would be no Poa annua it is an important part of the turf on most of our greens and our management is centered in keeping it alive.

We apply a growth regulator in early spring and when timed correctly most of the Poa is unable to produce a seed head.  The production of a seed head uses up carbohydrate reserves in the plant and generally causes
a much weaker plant.  Plants that don't produce a seed head are able to retain these carbohydrates for other important growth characteristics such as increased rooting.  Sounds complicated?  You bet it is! 

New asphalt cart path #6 tee complex.