We are enjoying more perfect weather.  With the low humidity and dry conditions we are using plenty of water and are hoping for some rain.  But no complaints from this guy with this weather- it was fifty-three degrees this morning!

 

Pylex herbicide is really socking it to the bermudagrass.  The manufacturer just released a new label with a higher rate on bentgrass.  This is the green tee on the ninth hole.  All of the fairways were treated this week so expect to see some sick bermudagrass shortly.

 

 

Applications in the rough begin next week.  Rates are much higher in the rough and will be dramatic.

 

 

Check out the new sprayer!  Here Erik applies an assortment of goodies to the second fairway.

 

 

Foxes are beginning to become a nuisance again.  This is the eighth greenside bunker.  We are going to try a intense pepper spray solution in these areas to hopefully deter this grubbing activity.

 

 

He didn't miss a spot.

 

 

Purple martins were in abundance this summer.  Every house was occupied.

 

 

This was the same house later in the day.  All the houses are now empty. The martins have moved to trees as they are about ready for their southern migration.

 

 

There have been many favorable responses to the annual beds this summer.  These two plants are called Alternanthera and they provide a nice contrasting border.

 

 

Postcard picture of the third hole on a perfect day.

 

Wow!  September in July.  This is marvelous weather we are experiencing and the golf course is the better for it.  The lake is full too which usually means we have had too much rain- but not this year.  Timely rain and just the right amount have been the story this summer so far.  Whether it will continue we will just have to wait and see.  In the meantime let's all enjoy!

 

We continue to solid tine the greens every two weeks.  This shows the practice green immediately after aerating.

 

 

Once rolled it is hard to tell we were there.

 

 

Our fans are back in business.  This is an unusual site as the fan is off on July 18th due to the fall like weather.

 

 

This is nice to see.  Divots do grow back in the summer if repaired properly and the weather cooperates.

 

 

Bentgrass recovering from divots.  Both divots are recovering nicely even though the turf has died in the center.  Lateral growth with the Crystal BlueLinks is quite good.

 

 

Birds are not helping us out here.  It is much easier to find dinner by removing a divot than pecking through the dense turf.

 

 

This is golfer could care less decline in the 7th fairway on Thursday morning. 

 

 

Carts do damage stressed turf.  This is the 3rd fairway with carts restricted to the path I thought.

 

 

The same area one week later.

 

 

Stressed turf on a southern exposure.

 

 

The course has seen some pretty good disease in the rough.  This is Rhizoctonia blight or brown patch on the 6th hole.

 

 

Daylillies on the 4th hole without deer damage so far.....

 

 

New tee signs are being installed on the course and look great!

 

With all of the recent tournaments it has been difficult updating this blog but we are finally beginning to catch up and breathe.  The hours are tough and demanding but we have been fortunate to have had some really nice weather throughout the competition that lightened the load.

 

We will start with our resident superstar Quincy who is featured in this Thursday's Washington Kids Post.  Check it out!

 

 

After a wet spring we have dried out and are irrigating frequently.

 

 

This is the heart of the irrigation system.  This unit accurately controls our three pumps.

 

We have worked hard to get the greens as true as possible.  We aggressively groomed the greens the week before club championship.  We do this only when temperatures are moderate.

 

 

Golf carts damage turf when it is hot and dry.  Please avoid driving through stressed areas like this.

 

 

An unfortunate hydraulic leak on the first hole.  The operator was mowing before sunrise and was unable to see the oil leaking on the turf until too late.  He is awaiting his trial.

 

 

Bermudagrass encroaching in our new fairways.  How dare that weed!

 

 

Pylex herbicide applied at 1/8 of an ounce per acre on the fifteenth fairway Saturday!!!

 

 

Another pic showing the bermudagrass starting to brown.  We will treat all the fairways next week.

 

 

We have the good fortune to have red tailed hawks nesting on the course for the third straight year.

 

 

A young red tail hawk.  Unfortunately one of the adults was found dead on the course on July 4th.

 

 

Our new turf is holding up well so far!