Winter's last hurrah?  Later this week we will have a pretty good cold blast and then the long range weather looks remarkably mild.  All tarps will be removed next Monday and the entire course will be open by Thursday.  Turf areas covered by blankets need a short period to acclimate before allowing traffic on them.  All play will start off of one at this time.

 

Winter work is just about wrapped up.  Here is 16 creek ready for this years growth.

 

 

The guys cut back some tree remains that were partially damming the creek.

 

 

Fifteen pond bank is all that is left.

 

 

On nice days we are patching poor areas in the cart paths.  Here is some stellar work by Luis and Max.

 

 

Our greens are as strong as I can remember coming out of winter.  We have developed so much more bentgrass throughout.

 

 

We are seeing a little Waitea Patch on some of the greens.  Can you see it in this picture?  This patch disease is a harbinger of spring!

 

 

Winter greens have a mottled look.  This is called bentgrass segregation and is common in older greens.  Segregation is the sorting out of individual clones or biotypes the grass cultivar was planted with.  During cool temperatures different biotypes change color and grow at different rates enhancing the patchwork appearance.  Once warm weather returns the grasses lose this look.

 

 

A sure sign of spring- Julio pruning our roses.  This variety is called "A Touch of Class".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow are we glad that it finally stopped raining.  The course is saturated and this sun and wind are just what it needs.  Winter is not completely over with cold temperatures expected through Saturday.  The course will reopen with play on the regular greens on Sunday.  Winter blankets will be removed either next week or the week after.  Long range weather looks promising.

 

 

We removed the turf cover on three green February 5th and the turf looked excellent.  Expect all the covers to be removed and the greens back in play very soon.

 

 

Beautiful work by the crew before the two week deluge.

 

 

Another view of our hard working crew below three tee.

 

 

The nature trail in the woods between holes ten and twelve is complete.  This will be used during Kids Camp and nature walks.

 

 

Josh constructed this walk bridge out of one of our downed oaks.

 

 

Operation Bermudagrass Reduction has begun.  Weather needs to cooperate to help achieve success.  Cool season grasses are beginning to grow.

 

 

Daffodils beginning to bloom on February 6th!

 

 

Gill is excelling as a goose dog.