Relentless.  There's not much more to say with the heat we are experiencing.  It seems we are setting records every year.  Today breaks the record for the most ninety degree days at 26.  Not a winning recipe for growing cool season grasses.  I've spoken often about the cooling effect of nighttime temperatures.  Unfortunately Monday marked the 31st straight day with lows at or above 70 degrees.  That spells no recovery and only regression.  Currently we are having a summer more resembling Houston.  The week of rain only contributed to our woes.  While it did help much of our turf those areas with poor drainage suffered.  Poor draining areas need to be addressed to prevent future turf failure.

 

Poor three fairway.  Too much rain and heat in fairways with poor drainage.

 

Turf decline in five fairway.

 

While the course was closed the crew repaired most of our bunkers on Friday.

 

Incredible lightning was featured in every rain event last week.  Our irrigation computer was knocked out for the second time this summer.

 

Removing a large oak knocked down in the creek by 15 green.

 

Weeds are a plenty with a summer like this.  Not being able to mow makes it look particularly bad. 

 

 

We treated 10 acres of rough for sedges last week.  Three different herbicides were used.  Dismiss herbicide was used in the pic. Sedgehammer and Celero were also used and results are being evaluated.

 

Over two inches of rain Thursday night.

 

 

Isn't it nice to have a diversion during tough times?

 

More beauty amongst chaos.

 

Ground hog day.

 

New bunker sand was added to those in need on Monday.  Another load arrives today.

 

 

On the eighth day we mowed the grass.

 

 

The golf course is having a tough time with the extreme heat we are experiencing.  Closing the golf course is never an easy decision.  The longevity of this heat wave followed by some of the hottest temperatures we've seen make it necessary to protect the course.  Even walking on weak turf areas is harmful right now.  Night time temperatures have been extreme as well so there is no turf recovery during periods that normally allow the turf to heal.  ( It was 80 degrees when I left the house at 4:30 on Monday).  We received a beneficial 1.5" of rain last night that filled our irrigation lake.  High levels of humidity like we are experiencing act like an incubator for turf diseases and other pests.  Last nights rain was beneficial but too much more with the heat and humidity could really hurt.  That is why water management is so important.  Using light irrigation cycles and hand watering are proven as the only way to water effectively during high stress periods.

 

The course is getting a needed rest. 

 

Heat stress on the practice green.  The line in the middle is from the hose resting on the turf too long.  Crazy but true.

 

Cart damage on the 14th fairway.  These folks don't understand what the ninety degree rule is.

 

More cart damage.

 

Butterfly bush but no butterflies.  Let's hope they are just late.

 

The lake is full.

 

All mowing has been suspended so we are working on the bunkers.

 

 

You know its hot when Gill is laid out on a bed of ice.

 

Jack has the right idea.

Whoops! I forgot the answer to the turf twister.  The tan spots were caused by the guys resting their trimmers on the turf when adjusting the string.  The muffler burned the turf.  Normally they rest them on the rakes to do this adjustment.  Due to Covid there are no rakes.  Blame it on Covid.

 

Before...

 

 

And after.  No one guessed the answer but Sam Brown gets points for the only member to guess!

 

It's been a topsy-turvy time since our last blog.  Last Monday night we received a beneficial and needed rain event that filled the lake.  Unfortunately we suffered a lightning hit and our irrigation computer and interface were destroyed.  The system was not and running until Friday afternoon.  Talk about anxiety.  Ninety plus degrees and no irrigation except for hoses and the uncertainty of getting repaired in time.

 

This Norway spruce's days are numbered.  Wood splintered all the way to the middle of sixteen fairway.

 

 

Last Monday the crew did some extensive weeding in several beds as well as edging all the fairway sprinklers.

 

 

This Monday Francisco vented the greens with solid tines.  This is performed every two weeks throughout the summer.

 

After Jose rolls the green it looks like this.

 

 We also cleaned up the woods adjacent to the driving range.  The fairways were sprayed with a whole lot of awesome plant protectants as well.

 

The new wildflower beds are terrific.  The reflection on the lake is an added bonus.

 

 

What manhole?  Flowers are hiding an eyesore.

 

 

Honey bees in action.

 

 

Wetting agents have been applied to all green approaches and specific fairways to help with moisture uniformity. 

 

 

The lake drain in 15 lake was cleaned out and a new intake screen was added to prevent future clogs.  Look at the water flow!

 

 

There is some excellent practice technique going on. 

 

 

The third hole.

 

 

July has arrived in usual fashion with heat and humidity.  We have gotten dry and are in need of a soaking rain.  Currently we are in our eighth consecutive ninety degree day and the fifteen day forecast is more of the same. 

 

We are using a lot of water.  Watch the lake go down!

 

 

Hand watering is the only precise way to water greens in the afternoon.

 

 

The only way to water flowers properly.  Here Max is watering Saturday morning.  Very labor intensive but what can you do?

 

 

Our garden is starting to prosper.  All the tomatoes have been staked and vegetables that were started from seed are starting to grow.

 

 

Carts can do lots of damage to our turf.  Here is damage on a wilted 13th approach??? where carts aren't permitted.  Cart rules are posted daily and updated during the day as necessary.

 

 

Please pay attention to rules!  Currently we are using the ninety degree cart rule to limit tire damage.

 

Thanks to Jim Groody for organizing fairway divot repair on Mondays.  We appreciate it!

 

 

Mr. Groody in his element.

 

 

This bunker reminds me of the bunker on the 13th at Augusta.  Our crew edged all of them this week.

 

 

Turf twister.  What caused the tan spots around the bunker?  Please give it a shot and reply in this blog.  The answer will be in the next blog.