Opening day is this Thursday with a forecast of 49 degrees and windy.  March is going out like a schizophrenic lion.  Warm then cold then warm.  Well that's March.  We have been plenty busy getting the course ready for the start of the golf season.  Hopefully we will complete rough aeration this week.  It looks like our first rough mowing will be next week as well as our first preemergent application to the rough.  This will be repeated in about six weeks.  Annual bluegrass seed head prevention applications began on St. Patrick's Day.  A second application will happen soon.  So far results have been quite good.  The greens should be fast and smooth for the Master's Par 3 competition.

Rough aeration began last Monday.  With a little luck this should be completed this week.

This yellowish circle is a disease called brown ring patch.  It has been quite prevalent on our greens the last few springs but a change in our fungicide program has reduced the severity of this disease.  I believe we have nipped it in the bud!

Our putting surfaces are starting to shine.  Roots are beginning to grow deeper and deeper.

Expecting perfect annual bluegrass seed head suppression is impossible.  Here a small plant exhibits some seed head inflorescence.

 Ball marks continue to be a concern.  Please don't forget to repair these to keep our greens uniform and smooth.

Saturday morning and the course is starting to shine.  

The 11th hole looking good.

Wind damage and one less pine on the course this morning.  More tree work is planned next week.

 

     

 Spring is about to bust out.  Much needed rain followed by warming temperatures is on the way.  Soil temps have about reached fifty degrees as well.  Our first application for annual bluegrass seed head suppression went down today along with a fungicide application.  Hold on cause the season is here!

Soil temperatures are near 50 degrees on March 15th. Time for our first fungicide.

Monday morning sunrise special.  Deep tine aeration of greens under perfect conditions except for the cold chill in the air.

Awesome results that did nor require immediate rolling.  The tees were done next.

Cutting back the lirope with a rotary mower before mulching.

How about the professional mulch job by our staff!  They have spread 100 cubic yards so far.

Proposed pollinator garden left of  the 12th tee by our shop.

Proposed wild flower garden between the 11th cart path and the 12th hole.  This area is flagged to view more easily on the course.

Red tail hawks pairing up.

Spraying the green GREEN on St. Patty's Day!

  

 Quite a change in the weather this week.  Turf covers were removed today and all greens will get their first mow tomorrow.  The entire course will open on Wednesday and all play will start from number one.  This great weather will be with us all week so we expect to see lots of golf and some greening of the course.  It has been a while since the course has been so dormant.

Removing the turf cover on three green.

In the afternoon they were rolled and ready to me mowed on Tuesday.

What a contrast to the dormant turf.

The crew has been busy.  Here they are finishing up the tie curb removal and then gently sloping the grade for a more natural look.

A much better look and easier to maintain.

We have a Richard Purple sighting pruning some long overdue crabapple trees!

An overdue drainage repair on the 12th hole.  Here our men are diverting storm water from entering the fairway to a catch basin in the rough.

Mulch Madness has begun!

Spring is around the corner.  Currently soil temperatures are 40 degrees.  It will be interesting to see what they are by the end of the week.