Spring and now summer have arrived!  This warm weather looks short lived though as more moderate temperatures are expected by the middle of next week.  We are almost complete with most of our early season applications and will soon be on our routine maintenance through the summer.  Greens aerification went well except for some logistical mix ups on our end which we apologize for.  The greens should rapidly heal with warm weather.  The new turf continues to impress.  There has been considerable discussion about the rough, particularly the density of it.  We have lowered the height of the first cut slightly and will continue to monitor the playability of the primary rough.  Please remember this is new turf which requires a bit of pampering.  Lastly the 3rd hole is about ready to open.  Our target is May 21st.  We also intend to open the course to carts at this time weather permitting.  Hallelujah!

 

The course received nearly 4 inches of rain on April 30th.  We were able to open the course the following day!

 

 

Yikes!  That is scary to see driving into the club.

 

 

This is the green the day after aerification.  We try to fill all the holes and then allow the turf to grow through the sand before mowing.  This disruptive process is necessary for the long term success of our greens.

 

 

This probably looks familiar.  That is not a terrible lie but is more difficult with the amount of grain involved.  We have begun mowing against the grain to stand the turf up more and then repeating the opposite direction.

 

 

Our step cut around the green collars is beginning to look nice and defined.

 

 

The color contrast between the bent and the fescue is outstanding.  We applied an herbicide to remove annual bluegrass in the new rough last fall and it was quite a success.  Untreated annual bluegrass in the rough can be seen next to the fairway (the light green patches).

 

 

We have begun several test plots to evaluate the herbicide Exonerate.  This herbicide takes out annual bluegrass in bentgrass fairways.  Rates are 1 ounce per acre every two weeks with four applications recommended.

 

 

The chipping fairway is now open.  This shows proper practice technique from last fall where the turf can recover faster.  Notice the nice lateral growth across the divots.

 

 

This area has not recovered from last fall.  Please take individual divots or in a continual line.

 

 

The cool spring has been great for our pansies and tulips.  What a recovery from a tough winter.

 

 

The last tulips of 2014.  We begin removing them this week.

 

 

Quincy enjoying a nice break in the wintercreeper bed by the practice green.