GOLF COURSE UPDATE 6/8/16

GOLF COURSE UPDATE 6/8/16

• Mowing Heights: GRNS .120, Tees/Collars/Approaches .375, FWYS .400, Stepcut 1”, Rough 2.5”
• Mowing Schedule: Greens-daily and double rolled Wed./Fri./Sat./Sun., Tees/Approaches/FWYS,Mon./Wed./Fri., Rough/Bunkers-twice throughout the week
• All greenside bunkers addressed with quartzite sand and rolled for firmness-fairways to follow
• GRN/FWY vertical mowing wrapped up 6/6/16 to promote upright growth and faster surfaces
• Spring and early summer plant protectant, herbicide, and fertility programs in full rotation
• Flowers and mulch for property beautification finishing up 6/10/16

With the unofficial start of summer, we have begun to shift our focus from project work around the property to daily maintenance. As mentioned in our last post, spring is our busiest season preparing the golf course and grounds for most challenging 90 day stretch of the year for agronomic purposes. At this time, I have no major concerns with any of our turf and with the recent fertilizer and plant protectant applications I’m excited to watch the golf course peak in the coming weeks.

As mentioned above our mowing practices for the Golf Season are set and will stay consistent unless we face inclement weather or other unpredictable circumstances. Some of these heights have been adjusted down with improvements to our turf under my programs. These adjustments are made possible by our more aggressive approach to season-long aeration, topdressing and cultural practices for faster and firmer conditions. These perfect golf conditions during the summer months are always challenging to all Superintendents due to humidity, heat, and environmental stress which can sometimes negate our hard-work even though these conditions will always be our priority. With the most discussed and controversial surface being putting greens, we currently mow and roll to provide a consistent speed of 12’ using the Stimp Meter for measurement. This pace is a very acceptable speed for all handicap players and is important for tournaments so players can practice a speed which should be expected weekly. As always our premiere events will host faster-putting surfaces and while accomplishing these speeds for short periods of time is manageable, prolonged periods of pushing our greens too much and too early could jeopardize the health of our greens for the rest of the membership. In the summer months good decisions with sound agronomic programs to manage our Poa-Bentgrass putting greens are vital to the season-long health of our golf course.

In regards to our property, the clubhouse grounds are starting to pop with color from fresh mulch and annual flowers as perennial gardens begin to bloom. These areas will constantly be tended to in the endless effort to keep beds weed free, bright and beautiful. Detail work is addressed daily by our staff for the best possible presentation of our beautiful clubhouse and surrounding grounds.

Summer weather is ahead and another great season is taking shape here at Pine Hollow. See you on the course!