Golf Course Update

The golf course is in good shape despite the current weather pattern.  Next week looks hot through Thursday with a break in temperatures by Friday.  The primary turf (greens, tees and fairways) is in excellent shape.  We have lost some poa annua on green collars and fairways, but these areas will fill in with bentgrass or be inter-seeded. 

This is the first year that we have relied on the irrigation system since installing it four years ago and it has worked perfectly.  The triple row system has allowed us to manage the watering requirements for the bentgrass in the fairways and the bluegrass in the rough.  The system is much more efficient than the old system.  We have 1200 irrigation heads compared to 550 on the old system and because of the efficiency the system uses 25% less water and has 50% more coverage.  Also, our labor hours are greatly reduced with the new system. 

The course will play softer this week.  Please remember to replace divot's and repair ball mark's.  Once we get through this weather pattern we will get course conditions back to normal.        

Weekly Update July 9th

This week's weather looks much better than last week.  The average high last week at the course was 95 degrees with the low at 75 degrees.  This week we are facing upper 80's and low 90's, but the lows are in the 60's.  Cool season grass responds much better to this week's weather versus last week.  Last weeks soil temperatures at a 3" depth was right at 88 degrees.  That is one of the highest readings that I have seen in Cedar Rapids.  The reasoning is the heat along with the lack of rain.  The rain helps cool the soil.  The dry weather has forced us to do quite a bit of hand watering.  We have a great irrigation system, but I try to balance playability with watering.  I like to keep the course on the dry side which causes some area's to become localized, which means that one area on the fairway has adequate moisture, but another area is dry.  To take care of the dry area we must hand water. 



Spray tech Brad Larson hand watering fairways.

This week we look forward to the Swinging Bridge Member/Guest tournament.  We really don't do a lot different for this week other than alter our mowing schedule.  The weather for the event looks perfect so conditions should be great. 

I have included a few improvements in this weeks blog.  Jim Pillard, the horticulturist, has done an outstanding job with the flowers and landscaping here at the club since coming on board two years ago.  My staff, lead by Assistant Tim Salazar,  have also done a great job and are the reason the golf course is in such great shape. 

New planting in front of Club

#1 Tee expansion 

Bluebird nest left of #4

July 2nd Weekly Update

The week looks hot and dry with temperatures in the 90's and lows in the 70's.  This past week we did receive some needed rain, but I would rather control the moisture through the irrigation system while the heat is on. 

This week we plan to apply the grub control to the greens, tees and fairways.  We will start on Monday and finish on Tuesday.  We are also are cleaning along the creek on 15 and 17, detailing the ponds, detailing bunkers and monitoring the course for heat stress. 

The course will play a little softer due to the heat and humidity.  The seven day forcast is hot and humid, so the plan is to make sure that the turf responds in a positive way.  We had a mild winter and a great spring, so the turf is going into the heat of the summer in great shape.  I plan to keep green speeds at 10', but this is close to a foot slower than they have been.  Please remember that the greens have been rolling quicker than they have for quite a few years, so bear with me and as soon as the weather breaks we will be able to quicken things up again.