Two great days of work on the course.  Perfect conditions allowed us to aerate all the collars on Monday.  On Tuesday all the tees with the exception of holes 3,4, and 5 were aerated, cores drug back into the surface, cleaned and topdressed.  Expanded collars were todressed as well.  Only a late day storm kept us from finishing.  This work will be completed on Thursday.
Annual bluegrass weevils have begun their migration from the rough to the short grass.  They are most active on warm days and we will be monitoring to determine the best time to apply an insecticide. 

 

Sunrise aeration special!

 

 

The course has some of the best roots we have seen in a while.

 

 

After aeration the cores are drug back into the surface.  This separates the thatch from the sand.  After dragging the thatch is then blown into the rough where it is then picked up.

 

 

The only thing left is a nice coating of fresh sand.  This went so well we didn't need to brush it in.

 

 

A closer look.  A nice rain helped work the sand back into the profile.

 

 

Expanded collar aeration after picking up the cores.

 

 

Topdressing expanded collars. 

 

 

Soil temperatures are rising. 

 

 

The turf is starting to jump.

 

 

The wildflower beds were aerated, seeded and drug on Monday.  The rain that followed was perfect!

 

 

Using a bunker rake to work the seed into the soil.

 

 

Waitea Patch has been prevalent this spring.  Fungicides have been applied and the turf will gradually grow out of the infected areas.

 

 

This is damage to the practice green from a player standing in the same spot repeatedly.  Please don't do this!!!

 

 

One of the best tulip displays we have had.

 

 

Club entrance bed.

 

 

18 green bed.

 

 

SGCC bed.  Enjoy them because they will be gone soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We begin aeration of fine turf areas this week.  On Monday all the collars will be core aerated followed by aeration of the tees on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Topdressing will follow.  Fairways will be core aerated on Monday April 13th and Tuesday if more time is required.  Greens aeration has been moved to Monday and Tuesday April 20th and 21st.  Busy times!

 

It has been a good spring for annual bluegrass.  Here is a small plant under growth regulation on the practice green.  Fairways and tees will be treated with a fungicide and growth regulator this week to nip it in the bud!  Growth regulators are applied regularly throughout the growing season.

 

 

Our fairways are starting to shine.  Mowing straight lines is a talent and our guys are good at it!

 

 

Just like clock work when April arrives so do the purple martins.

 

 

Prairie Fire crabapples just beginning to flower.

 

 

Our tulips have been spectacular this spring.  Hopefully there will be dining on the patio before too long.  Unfortunately the tulips will be gone by then.

 

 

Dr. Bertman has volunteered to help keep our bunkers smooth with the help of his own personal rake  Go to Bertman.com to order yours!

 

 

This was inspiring this morning.  Sunshine on our clubhouse amongst the clouds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a quick update on what is happening on the golf course.  The COVID-19 situation has forced a reduction in our staff.  Most part time labor has been laid off and we have reduced hours to the full time staff.  Hopefully this situation will improve after April.  Once the turf begins actively growing more labor will be necessary.  Please bear with us. 

 

A foam insert was added inside the pvc pipe and works much better.

 

 

Rough is being mowed throughout this week.

 

 

Annual bluegrass weevil monitoring has begun.  As you can see the adult weevils are very small.  They are just beginning their migration into low mowed turf.  An insecticide will be applied when we believe the majority of the adults are in the short grass.  The timing needs to be precise as the insecticide loses it's strength rapidly.

 

 

Our wildflower beds did not come in very well last fall and will be replanted next week.  More annual bluegrass came up than wildflowers following the drought..  Roundup was applied a week ago to kill the bluegrass.

 

 

Tulip have been excellent.  Too bad more can't enjoy them.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is just about to bust out.  The density of the turf on the course is increasing dramatically.  We are fortunate to use growth regulators on greens, tees and fairways to reduce the amount of mowing.  This is particularly important with a reduction in staff during this difficult time.  We are all praying for better days.

 

The rough is ready to explode.  We will mow it all this week.

 

 

Our bent is growing as well.  We will apply a fungicide and growth regulator this week to slow it down.  Seeded areas will not receive regulation.

 

 

On Friday we applied our final annual bluegrass seed head preventive application to the greens.  Control has been pretty good.

 

 

Minimal seed heads seen on the 18th green.

 

 

The ground is still quite cold.  Bentgrass is just beginning to germinate in some southern exposure spots.  We will do a little more seeding this week.

 

 

The driving range tee was fertilized on Friday as well as the club grounds.  The tee was seeded in September with a low mow bluegrass with mixed results.

 

 

The first crabgrass observed germinating near the pump house.  Last week over 36 acres of rough were treated with a preemergent herbicide.  Fairways and tees will be treated after aeration.

 

 

The crew is doing some beautiful mulch work. 

 

 

Tulips on the patio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The core crew is getting the job done during these difficult times.  On days like Monday we are staying home.  We are practicing as much social distancing as possible.  If we are not able to work outside then we stay home.  The crew has been instructed to stagger their breaks and continue to wash and clean surfaces as much as possible.  We currently have two men on vacation so we are a little shorthanded.  Part time workers are here only when absolutely necessary.

 

This morning we began applying a preemergent herbicide to the primary rough.  We use a product called Dimension (actually a generic that is a little cheaper).  More rain is expected tomorrow so the timing is perfect as this must be watered in.  We do split applications six weeks apart.  This gives better weed control than a single application. 

 

 

Greens were mowed this morning and there were plenty of clippings.

 

 

This is a portion of what came off the 16th green.

 

 

Today we eliminated the raised cups and inserted a piece of two inch pvc to prevent the ball from falling to the bottom of the cup.  This has been done similarly at Pinehurst.  Putting just became a little more difficult!

 

 

Mulch Madness has begun!

 

 

Nothing like the farm fresh smell of mulch in the morning,  It smells like....Work!

 

 

Tulips are opening a little earlier than expected.  This awesome display is near the practice green.

 

 

The Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom now.

 

 

Spring is definitely here.  The hooded mergansers have left and headed north and purple martin houses are back on the course awaiting their return.

 

 

Spring weeds are in abundance right now.  These are actually winter weeds that germinated in winter from last spring's seed.   The purple plant is called Henbit.

 

 

Here is a closer view of Henbit..

 

 

Often confused as Henbit Purple Deadnettle is prevalent as well.

 

 

A closer view shows they really do have differences in flower and leaf.

 

 

This weed is everywhere this spring.  It is called Harry Bittercress.

 

 

Another look.  It has tall white flowers.

 

 

One of the weeds I really hate-Common Chickweed.

 

 

Not as common on our course is Mouse Ear Chickweed.  It has fuzzy, hairy leaves.  All of these weeds can be controlled with broadleaf herbicides or by mowing.  Warm weather will be their end as well.

 

 

Gill continues to be everyone's friend.  Here she enjoys her Grandpa Thomas' company.

 

 

She even gives putting lessons.  Bill Wydo enjoys a Gill moment.