Early June 2016 Update !!!

I know some time has past since the last update but the season is in full swing !!!  Some things that have been completed on the course since the last update include....Regular mowing of the course; mulching of flower beds, getting the irrigation system up and running, planting of seasonal flowers and minor cultural practices to the greens including light topdressing, grooming and verti-cutting to name a few.

The early summer also brings on certain projects that are done only once every year or every two years such as our Audubon International Certification.  As you may or may not know, Treesdale Golf & Country Club is Audubon Certified and has been for many years.  Being certified is not a one and done deal; it is an ONGOING process!!! This year we were required to have a site visit by an approved third party reviewer.  The review was conducted by Sandy Feather who is an extension educator for The Pennsylvania State University.  Her areas of expertise include Integrated Pest Management, Organic Land Care, Arboriculture and Plant Identification & Usage.  She was on property Monday June 6th to conduct the review.  She was impressed with the size of the property and the amount of native areas that are around Treesdale.  We passed our recertification process but we have areas to improve on.  Some of these areas you will be seeing this year and in years to come.  Signs will be proudly hung in given areas to advertise that we are an official Audubon International Certified Golf Course.  Current project and future project lists will be displayed for members to view and inquire about.  We are always looking for ways to become a better steward for the environment.  Remember, becoming a certified Audubon International golf course is an ongoing process and never ends.  The members should be proud that we are such and help to promote Audubon International.  For more information about them and to make a donation please visit their site at https://www.auduboninternational.org/acspgolf

CEDAR WAXWING @ TREESDALE

Winter Is Hanging On !!!

I am sure many of us are tired of the cold mornings and surprise snow squalls that make traveling to work a hassle; but at the maintenance facility it gives us a little extra time to prepare the course for the season.  Things to look for while on the course this Spring are freshly painted tee markers with new decals, freshly painted ball washers, cart directional signs, new tee towels, new flag poles with flags and bunker rakes to name a few.  The extended winter weather also allows us to remove some unwanted trees that were effecting turf health and playability.  Some noted trees that have been removed this season are located next to number nine Orchard and number nine Grove greens.  These trees were dead and posed a safety concern to golfers and golf course workers.  The tree next to number nine Grove green was an iconic tree to Treesdale but was hanging onto life.  The pines next to number nine Orchard green were also hanging onto life and starting to interfere with bunker and putting green maintenance.

As you play the course this Spring you may also notice purple/reddish spots on the greens.  Have no fear this is not a disease or fungus.  They are just a build up of sugars in the leaf tissues from the cold weather.  The following article will explain why traditional bentgrass putting greens look this way in the Spring.

http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/turfx/article/1999jan4.pdf

Is Spring Here To Stay ?!

Spring officially began this past Sunday, March 20th.  We have experienced "Spring Like" temperatures this week but cold nighttime temperatures will still linger around this Friday and Saturday night.  With that in mind; frost could be a factor when planing your next tee time at the club.  We posted an article about frost earlier in the year explaining why we need frost delays.  We will post another article to stress the importance of frost delays and why we have them.  As always we are looking out for the best interest of the turf to ensure proper turf health for the months to come !!!

http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/turfx/article/1999jan1b.pdf

Mid March Update

Happy St. Patricks Day !!!  Despite the above average temperatures; winter is still here.  The golf course maintenance department is getting ready for Spring !!!  We are working on and off the course to get ready for the golfing season.  The beverage carts are getting a work over to ensure safe and top notch performance for this years usage.  Tree removal continues around the property with several trees being removed from number nine on the Grove course and around the tennis courts.  The pump house for the Grove and Orchard course also got a facelift with new pumps and motors; the aging infrastructure was in bad need of repairs.  Tee markers will receive a fresh coat of paint thanks to Mark Howe, Michael McGarry and PPG Paints.

As a reminder please follow our golf cart rules as posted on the first hole of each nine and by the clubhouse.  This will ensure safe play for the members and the turf.

Winter Play

When the temperatures reach 50 and even 45 degrees F outside; some golfers might get the itch to play some golf.  There are many reasons why winter play is detrimental to to the turf.  We try to be as accommodating as we can but there are days when the conditions do not favor golf.  The sun may be shining, blue skies present and a warm breeze; but the soils down below are still frozen.  Walking on such ground can cause root sheering and cause long term effects to the turf and create conditions in the Spring that hinder a quick green up.  The attached article published by the USGA outlines such negative effects on the turf.  When the golf course is closed here at Treesdale Golf & Country Club we are doing it for the health of the turf and not for our convenience.  Doing so will help your country club in the Spring !!!

http://gsrpdf.lib.msu.edu/ticpdf.py?file=/article/hartwiger-moeller-winter-1-9-15.pdf

February 2016 - Tree Update

Most members do not know what the GCM staff does during the winter months.  Over the winter we refurbish the golf course accessories, plow snow, budget preparations, tree removal and equipment maintenance to name a few.

Over the past few months we have been removing select trees in a few areas on the golf course.  Trees have been removed on the left side and behind number one green on the Lakes course to increase air flow and sunlight to that green.  Trees have been removed on the left side of number two tees for the same reason.  There were also some dead choke cherries on the left side of the tee.  Pine trees have been removed along the right side of number seven Lakes to increase turf health.  The pine trees were removing the moisture from the tees, hence the brown appearance in the Summer months.  Trees are also planned to be removed along the earth Dam between the two ponds on number six and seven Lakes; this is required to prevent a breach in the Dam.  Dead trees along the right side of number five lakes are also going to be removed.  Howard, our in house Horticulturist has requested that we also remove some dead trees near the swimming pool and along the parking lots at the clubhouse.

These tree removals are a necessary maintenance practice to keep the turf healthy and adjacent trees healthy.  A total of 26 trees have been removed so far this winter season.

February 1, 2016 Update

A mild warm front will greet February for the first few days bringing rain for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  A low pressure front should arrive on Thursday bringing colder temperatures.  Even though it is only February the GCM staff here at Treesdale is thinking Spring and what needs to be done to the golf course to prepare for golf.  Most golfers hate when greens are aerated in the Spring and Fall; but it is necessary for healthy turf.  Here is a short video explaining why we need to aerate greens on a golf course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLnU5qUEfww3cOAU8iTQTUpF5S4UqhXJka&v=863Ix8czcoY

Mid January 2016 Update

With winter finally here, the golf course has a fresh blanket of snow.  We received roughly 5 inches of snow thus far in January of 2016.  For the remainder of January the crew will be working on our golf course accessories.  We will be giving the tee markers, cart directional signs and ball washers a fresh coat of paint.  Tree removal and pruning will continue depending on the weather.  We will also be officially closing the course bathrooms, locking them and cleaning them out for the winter.  We will reopen them when the golf season starts back up.

January 2016

Winter has finally arrived here at Treesdale Golf & Country Club !!!  A light dusting of snow covered the golf course on Monday (January 4th, 2016) totaling roughly 0.66 inches.  Our staff will be working on tree removal, accessory refurbish and improving the shop.  Look forward to more updates here as this blog grows and matures !!!