Reel to Reel

The 7.5 inches of rain in May was 4.5 inches above the monthly average. Eighteen of the thirty-one days had precipitation. Despite all of the rain, it was still a productive month. I am pleased with how we maintained our mowing schedules and with the progress in the ornamental beds. As we look to next month, I would expect weather conditions to be more consistent and closer to normal. Happy Memorial Day ~

Rain accumulation yesterday totaled 2.25". The pumps were put out first thing this morning and I am planning on running them late into the evening. We will be able to pump just over 306,000 gallons of water today. I will give the pumps a break over night and we will start up again early tomorrow.

There is not a shortage of standing water on the course tonight. We have already accumulated 1.25" as it continues to fall at a heavy pace. I will update you tomorrow on rainfall totals and the status of our pumping.

The warm weather and rain this week has significantly increased the growth rate of the turf. My staff worked a long day yesterday and are planning to do the same today in hopes that we can cut all of the green banks, tee banks and rough ahead of the forecasted rain. The rough mowers are leaving a bit of a mess behind them due to the length of the turf. We are working behind them blowing and spreading out the excess clippings. See you on the course-

Several areas remain under water from the early morning showers. Today, carts will be allowed on the back nine only.

The excess rain this week expanded Big Fisher Pond over the cart path from #14 tee. The Koi decided to explore this new, uncharted territory - the rough. The pond has since receded and all the fish have safely found their way back home.

Over the past three years we have been collecting data on weather, growing degree days, soil temperatures, and fertility, in attempt to better predict application timing for poa seedhead control. Prolific seedhead production is one of the negative attributes of poa annua, which makes up about 80% of our greens. The seedheads are visually unappealing and affect ball roll, if left untreated. The plants also require a large amount of energy in order to produce these seedheads. This is why I have dedicated much time and research into successful seedhead suppression. It is my hope that better timing of growth regulator applications will limit seedhead production. The plants can redistribute the energy that they would have used in seedhead production into other important plant functions. Healthier plants will be better equipped with the energy to endure the stresses of another golf season. Thus far, seedhead suppression has been extremely successful. The seedheads are visible but they remain...

The good news is we were caught up on mowing the rough. The bad news is this month has a similar feel to the wet April we endured. The 3.5 inches of rain accumulated this week has held up our mowing schedule. I am hopeful we will be able to cut limited areas tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.

...are two adjectives to describe the 1.75" of rain that fell in a two-hour period last night. The golf course will be open for walking only today . This morning, we will focus on the bunkers, as many of them were washed out due to the heavy rain. Thank you for your patience as we work to make the golf course playable again.

It was another busy Friday as we prepared the golf course for this weekend's play. In addition to our normal routine, we received the pine straw we utilize in our landscape beds. The pine straw is hand-loaded into a semi-truck bale-by-bale and shipped from Georgia. I am proud of my team who set a new record... five members of my staff unloaded 1232 bales by hand in just over two hours . The landscape beds have been cleaned out and edged, and are prepped for pine straw next week.

...April showers bring May flowers.

The greens maintenance schedule this spring has been both aggressive and intense. The greens received a break today as we needle-tined them. The needle tines serve as a way to relieve compaction and move air down into the root zone. See you on the course-

The fairways were sliced last week. The AerWay, a slicing machine, creates a 4 inch long slice 3 inches deep. It is an effective aerification tool due to it's speed and minimal disruption to play. Benefits from this procedure include: a decrease in thatch, a decrease in compaction, an increase in water infiltration and an increase in air porosity. Below are some photos of the AerWay in action.