Update on our Fine Fescue Areas

Would like to update everyone on the work we are doing in our Fine Fescue areas throughout the course. Last Fall I posted the plan we would undertake to rid these areas of weeds and undesirable species and ensure the Fine Fescue grass is our predominant species.

Fine Fescue Post from September 2013

Fine Fescue is the thin, wispy turf where a golf ball may be found easily and looks like this.

So far this year we have applied a pre-emergent herbicide for grassy weeds plus two post-emergent herbicides. One for grassy weeds and the other for broadleaf weeds. Currently we are starting the process of mowing these areas again and following-up with additional post-emergent herbicides for both grassy and broadleaf weeds. This is a rather long, time consuming process and will take several weeks.

These herbicide applications have been very effective in removing the undesirable species causing some areas to turn brown where Fine Fescue was not established. Our weather pattern is 4-5 weeks behind in terms of the amount of heat we would normally have by May 15th thus causing further delay in the growth of the Fine Fescue. Some of these brown areas have Fine Fescue growing through them such as this area between #2 and #10.

Look closely and the desirable Fine Fescue can be seen growing up through the brown leaf material. Not all of the brown areas will fill in with Fine Fescue when the warmer weather arrives. Those areas without adequate turf coverage will be seeded in the Fall.

Weekly Schedule for May 12-18, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Finish sodding green edges on #6 and #17 on Tuesday
-Continue mowing Fescue areas then following up with spraying for weeds
-Begin prepping and possibly sodding areas in approaches and fairways
-Growth regulator application to fairways for poa annua control




New friend for Pinki on #10 fairway

Weekly Schedule for May 5-11, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Focus on repairing areas on greens
-Herbicide application to cut bamboo on #2
-Herbicide application to broadleaf weeds in rough

Update on Repair of Green Edges

Over the past three years we have reduced the amount of poor turf on our green edges from 40% to less then 15%. This is still unacceptable and we are working to improve on this measurement. Efforts to increase sunlight and air flow on #3 green will certainly help this area which is particularly bad.

Currently we are cutting out the poor areas on greens #3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #12, #14 and #17 to a depth of 4 inches.

Previously when this was done we used straight sand then added our own amendments. This time we are purchasing the greens mix with the amendments already pre-blended. By doing this we will have a firmer base with the proper amount of infiltration rate to match the rest of the green.

The harsh winter has delayed the availability of greens height Bentgrass sod. Yesterday's rain storm has further delayed the cutting of the sod at the sod farms. The earliest we expect to have sod is Tuesday. In the meantime we hope to have everything prepped and ready to go by then.

Storm Update-May 1, 2014

We received 5.75 inches of rain over the past 36 hours. Besides bunkers the course has held up well. There was standing water on #8 green so this morning we are taking a hose to wash the silt off. Our goal is to get greenside bunkers repaired first before moving on to fairway bunkers.

Weekly Schedule for April 28-May 4, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Pour concrete on cart path between holes #2 and #3. Also pour concrete where cart path was cut for electrical line installation next to #3 green
-Bamboo removal next to #2 fairway
-Clean-up of area to left of #7 left side fairway bunker
-Remove weak turf areas in greens for sodding. Currently due to the harsh winter the sod farms will have greens height bentgrass sod after May 1st.

Weekly Schedule for April 21-27, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-On Monday we will cross tine greens (not taking plugs) then topdress, apply soil amendments and water in
-On Friday we will remove the broken concrete located on the cart path from #2 to #3 (next to #11 Blue tee). Plywood will be placed for the weekend and concrete poured on Monday, April 28th there and where the cart path was cut on #3
-Continue removing bamboo to the left of hole #2 to our property line
-Mark and prep areas to be sodded