Weekly Schedule for May 28-June 3, 2012

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Verticut and topdress greens on Tuesday

Turf Stains

A few people have asked about what looks like some burnt turf out on the fairways. This is actually from an application of Ferrous Sulfate and Manganese Sulfate. These elements give the turf some green color without a flush a growth that Nitrogen can. Here is a picture of an overlap:

Here's a skip:

There is no damage done to the turf and the fairways will grow out of any staining that you may see shortly.

I will be doing an update on the weekly schedule this Tuesday as we are open on Monday.

Driving Range Tee Grass Trial Update

On May 1, 2012 we posted a blog on the grass trials we are doing on the lower driving range tee. This post can be found here: Driving Range Tee Grass Trial

Wanted to share some photos updating everyone on the progress of this trial. Please remember, these grasses do best in warm weather (over 80 degrees) so we are not in a period of high growth for these grasses.. Also, the Patriot and Latitude bermudagrass varieties were sodded (they cannot be seeded) while the Riveria was seeded.



Patriot Bermudagrass





Latitude Bermudagrass



Riveria Bermudagrass

So far I like the color and texture of the Latitude Bermudagrass. However, the real test will come in June when balls are hit from these areas and we can determine how long it will take divots to recover during the heat of the summer.





Weekly Schedule for May 21-27, 2012

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Continue rolling bunker faces (#14 fairway bunker, #13 and #15-#18)
-Broom greens on Tuesday (http://fieldstonegc.blogspot.com/2012/05/brushing-greens-and-driving-range-tee.html)
-Aerify and topdress new tee on #3

Weekly Schedule for May 14-20, 2012

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Finish compacting bunker slopes on holes #11-18
-DryJect collars on Monday. Follow this link for more info: DryJect Collars
-Veticut and topdress greens on Monday. Follow this link for more info: Verticutting Greens
-Third application of Healthy Ponds to ponds on #1/#2, #5 and #8: Healthy Ponds

Notes:
-I understand the apprehension of doing cultural practices to the greens now that they are completely healed but it will only make them smoother and faster. On Tuesday you will notice the grooves but the ball roll will not be affected. By Wednesday/Thursday you will only notice a smoother and faster ball roll.
-The Healthy Ponds have worked well in the ponds on #5 and #8. Am going to increase the rate in the pond on holes #1/#2. This pond is our irrigation source so we are pumping water, and thus the Healthy Ponds product, out. An increased rate should help. This is a natural product and therefore takes time to work.

Bunker Video

This is our first ever video blog. Hope you like it!

Fieldstone Agronomy Blog Bunker Video

We are talking about bunker playability in the video. The main thing to remember is that while we are seeing some immediate improvement, time is what is going to be needed (along with rain) to firm the slopes up.

Also, by entering and exiting the bunkers from the lowest (or flattest portion) of the bunker it will greatly help us out.

Weekly Schedule for May 7-13, 2012

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Finish compacting bunker slopes on holes #5-18
-Burning of sod faced bunkers

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I will post a link to our first ever Fieldstone Agronomy Video Blog!