The Year in Review

WINTER

The year started off tough with rain around New Years which turned to ice on the greens.  After the ice accumulation we received about 16" of snow in Jan. and Feb.  The ice caused some damage to the greens with the loss of poa annua.  The weather in January and February allowed us to get quite a bit of tree work accomplished.

 

SPRING

In March we pulled the tarps off the greens to find some winter kill on about 6 of our greens.  Number 1,2,4 9,16 and 18 all had quite a bit of poa loss.  We left the covers on these greens for two more weeks with the hope that the turf would fill in.  April brought about 5" rain.  The golf course opened for the season April 5th.  The main goal in April was to get the damaged greens into shape and the course cleaned up.  In May we started a garden for the clubhouse planting tomato's, cucumber's, peppers and berries. We received 4.75" rain in May.

SUMMER 

Seasonal staff has all arrived and we are in full golf course maintenance mode.  June and July were wet and humid with the heat kicking in July.  The course received 13" of rain over the two months.  Fortunately, we did not have to cancel any outside events.  August was a drier month bringing only 2.9" of rain.  We worked on number 12 pro tee building a retaining wall and installing sod.  We also started the chipping green project.  The summer staff has also left school.

FALL

We had a great fall with temperatures being seasonal and limited rainfall.  We only had 3.25" of rain from September through November.  The golfing conditions were great.  We held off on all aerification until late in the season so the golfers could enjoy the weather.  Late fall and early winter was perfect for tree trimming and removal.  

The year 2011 will go down as a rough

start but great ending.  The turf went into winter in great shape which should make for a great spring in 2012.     



WHAT IS UP WITH THE WEATHER?

I know the calendar says it is January 4th, but you would never know it by walking outside.  This has been the warmest start to winter that I can remember.  I hope it continues for another week or two, then it can get cold.  The turf went into winter in great shape and it continues to look good.  It would be nice to see the temperatures get back to normal so the turf can harden off.  The hardening off process is basically a shut down process.  The grass plant doesn't want to grow anymore.  The key to healthy turf during a mild winter is timely rains.  Without the precipitation,  dessication occurs and causes a slow start for the turf in the spring.  So, if you wish for the mild winter to continue, then hope for precipitation along with it.

Mr. Kinsey enjoying  some golf on the back nine temporary course January 10th.

TREE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The tree management program has been shifted to the top of the priority list in the golf course operations program.  The goals of the program are as follows:

1.  Improve sunlight and air flow to primary turf areas.

2.  Improve the health of existing specimen trees by removing the volunteer trees that are crowding them out.

3.  Remove damaged trees that are a safety hazard.

4.  Remove leaning trees that will become a safety hazard.

5.  Clean out the dead wood in the trees.

Tree maintenance is a never ending process.  First, we have to get the existing trees under control.  Secondly, we need to address new plantings.  We have over 2500 trees on our property with a quarter of them being in poor shape.  It is time to address the situation so the good trees will benefit, the turf will benefit and it will enhance the golfing experience.