Reel to Reel

Poa seedhead control is a difficult endeavor due to the hundreds of biotypes and environmental factors that effect seedhead production. Every year is so different from the last. What makes it even more challenging is that the different biotypes vary in timing and seed production. For the sake of comparison, let's look at the variance over the last several years: 2024 - seedhead emergence occurred 4/22/24 2022 - seedhead emergence occurred 5/10/22 2020 - seedhead emergence occurred 5/19/20 Needless to say, the bumpy nature of seedheads does not make for a desirable putting surface. Sixteen years ago, I developed a growing degree model that would better time our growth regulator applications. My hope was that it would help reduce some of the variabilities that oftentimes cause poor seedhead control. The model has certainly evolved over the years, as we learn a little more each season. Seedhead control does not mean we eliminate seedhead production, it simply means we are trying to su...

 Mother Nature often reminds us how special this property is.

The tees were verticut this week. Verticutting is the cultural practice that uses vertical blades to cut lateral growth. Removal of organic matter is an integral part our maintenance program to maintain healthy plants and firm conditions. 

 ... and mean what you say. In today's age of instant media and clickbait headlines, it is easy to throw around industry-specific buzz words, like "firm and fast", with little follow through. That is certainly not the case on this property. If you have followed this blog for any length of time, then you have read numerous posts about our efforts to create firm and fast conditions.  We have worked hard to tailor our maintenance practices towards this primary goal. Whether it is our fertility program, irrigation regiment, or cultural practices, they all work together to try and create the most consistent playing surfaces possible on any given day.  Fairway firmness and playability over the last four years have undoubtedly improved. We continue to make gains year after year as our cultural practices are honed and perfected. The Wiedenmann Super 600, a fairway verticutter which we purchased in 2020, has been a game changer. It has allowed us to efficiently remove the thatch t...

 ... into Big Fisher Pond.  A dive team was out last week to inspect our irrigation wet well and irrigation intake pipe. This was originally scheduled for late November, however weather conditions and unfortunate timing prohibited it from happening.  The team's inspection was similar to their 2016 visit. They dove inside the wet well (located inside the pumphouse) to check for any structural cracks or holes. They also dove out into the pond to inspect the intake pipe which takes water from the pond into the pumphouse. The intake pipe extends 40' out into the pond. They cleared out about 2' of sediment in a 20' radius around the intake pipe which will allow the irrigation system to operate more efficiently.