It has been a great week on the golf course and a sharp contrast from the week of July 15-20th.  More records were set so it is not surprising the golf course took it on the chin.  Temperatures failed to drop below 80 degrees for the longest spell in history. Temperatures rose to 83 degrees on July 15th and didn't fall below 80 until July 21st.  Please see the attached link. D.C. Sets Record Heat Streak
We are getting close to our fairway renovation project and some preliminary work begins this week.  Fairway shapes will be flagged and painted and solid tine aeration will be done.  Chemical applications will occur on August 13th and 14th.  Only the fairways and approximately 25 feet of rough either side of the fairways will be treated.  Scalping of the turf will occur no earlier than one week after the herbicides are applied to ensure the plants have taken up the herbicides completely for the best kill possible.  We did several test plots on Friday so these areas should be quite obvious as you play the course. 

 

 Test plot below the 16th tee day one.
 



Cart damage to stressed turf at nine approach.  Since we are regrassing the fairways we opted to let carts off the path.
 

More cart damage in the first fairway.

 



Two different varieties of bent used in trials for the fairways. Crystal BlueLinks is on the left.

 

Too much sand in the divot.  On hot days the sand will get hot and damage turf around the divot.

 

 

Erik preparing the putting surface for seed at the putting green. Most of the stressed areas on the greens were done in this manner.

 

 

After seeding the greens must be kept moist to hasten recovery. The weather must cooperate also.

 

 

Quincy had knee surgery this week and will be out of action for several months.  We will keep you posted on his progress.

 

It has been an ugly week for our golf course.  Too much rain followed by extreme heat and humidity have severely stressed turf despite all our efforts.  One promising note is all of the new construction done over the past years has held up well and the turf is in fine shape.  Drainage on holes 5 and 7 has allowed the turf a fighting chance where it would most likely be dead in past years.  The biggest concern is the condition of several of the greens with #12 being the worst.  We solid tined all the greens on Monday to try and dry them out.  Mowing and rolling frequency has been reduced to reduce stress to the turf as well.  Hopefully we will have some relief in the next few days with lower temperatures and humidity in the forecast. 

 Twelve green with severe stress. We have added internal drainage to help but it continues to give us fits.  Removal of several trees is recommended to improve the growing environment and is planned.

Another picture of twelve green.  The greens were last mowed on Wednesday and are only rolled in areas not under stress.

   

 

This is one of the unfortunate results of when the greens are too wet.  Root systems have really shortened and ball mark repair is difficult but they should never be fixed in this manner.

 

 

Bermuda encroachment in a fairway.

 

 

When it gets hot even bug spray is harmful to the turf.  This is on the 1st tee.  Notice the footprints where this individual was standing when it was applied.  Please apply repellents on the cart paths!

 

 

Here is three fairway and approach illustrating renovated turf in the approach and in contrast the fairway with turf struggling.

 

 

Sixteen approach renovated to the right and existing to the left.

 

Seven fairway looking pretty good this morning.  Drainage, drainage, drainage.

 

 

 



 

We have just completed a grueling three week period of golf tournaments.  The golf course performed remarkably well with the exception of the practice putting green.  Too much rain and too much play has severely thinned out the turf and it must be allowed to recover.  The green was core aerified and seeded and has been fertilized to enhance recovery.  We have closed the green until it is healthy enough to handle the daily wear and tear it receives.  Once it reopens please be as careful as possible by not dragging or twisting your feet as this is particularly hard on the turf.  In addition spread your practice around and do not practice in the same area continually.  The chipping green will remain open. 

 

Traffic damage on the practice green

 

Another picture of foot damage

 



 

We had a tremendous storm last night and received five inches of rain. The storm water breeched the dam on #16 and did this to the bunkers.

 

 

Fish in the greenside bunker #16

 

 

Water went over the walk bridge on 16 tee.

 

 



Storm debris #16

 

 

Irrigation mainline washed out and exposed at #5 bridge.

 

Chipping fairway practice patterns could be better.  This area will take the rest of the summer to recover.

 



 

By hitting shots in different spots as this player is allows the turf to recover faster.

 

 

Have you seen me?  I am a northern water snake and this my course too.  I am not poisonous but I am pretty scary.

 

 

Can you find me? Careful where you step!