Course Update 11/29/19

It was a short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but we took advantage of several days of nice weather at the beginning of the week to aerify Grove greens.  We utilized the same process from Lakes and Orchard; topdressing, coring, cleanup and brushing.  The greens are in excellent condition and health going into winter.  Snow mold fungicide applications are one of the final steps in preparing the putting surfaces for stressful winter conditions, and will be completed in the next few weeks.

In addition to aerifying Grove greens, the staff finished topdressing Orchard fairways and spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up leaves.  Fortunately, most of the leaves are down, but there are still certain areas of the property that will require several more days of cleanup.

Course Update 11/21/19

Orchard greens and both practice greens were topdressed and core aerified this week.  We experimented with topdressing first to help work the sand down into the turf canopy during the aerification process and the layer of sand also made cleanup easier allowing the plugs to slide across the putting surface with less friction.  Core aerification occurred later this year since the greens were DryJected in August.  This new schedule provided great playing conditions all fall, while still achieving our goals of removing/diluting organic matter and creating firmer putting surfaces.

Topdressing the greens first with kiln-dried sand.  The dry sand settles into the turf and leaves very little on the surface.

Core aerifying the greens using .25" diameter tines on a 1.5" x 2.0" spacing.  This setup creates 48 holes per square foot.

Here is the end result after the plugs are cleaned up and the putting surface is brushed once.  More topdressing sand will be applied after we spray the greens with a winter fungicide.

Course Update 11/14/19

Due to the cold and snowy weather this week we decided to winterize the irrigation systems.  Every fall all the water has to be removed from the irrigation systems to prevent ice from forming and damaging critical components.  As water freezes it expands and ice is much stronger than plastic pipe.  I've even seen ice cause steel pipe to split open.  The first step in the process is to shut down the three pump stations, open all the drain valves, and let gravity remove most of the water.  Once the water has drained out a large air compressor is connected to the irrigation systems and air is forced through the lines at a high volume, but low pressure.  Too much air pressure can damage pipe and irrigation heads the same way high water pressure does.  The staff will then split up into several teams and go to every satellite control box to systematically turn on approximately 1,300 irrigation heads to blow out any remaining water.  After all the heads are blown out we will go back to the areas that tend to hold water and run through those heads for a second time.  It usually takes 4 full days to winterize both irrigation systems.

In addition to the two irrigation systems on the golf courses, the maintenance staff is responsible for winterizing the restroom facility on each nine, along with miscellaneous landscape irrigation and a water line in the driving range building.

We rent a 900 cfm air compressor that connects to the irrigation systems through a 2" hose with special fittings.  We have to install a pressure regulator on the compressor's discharge line to lower the operating pressure from 150 psi down to 50 psi to prevent damaging the pvc pipe.

Water is pushed out of the irrigation lines by the compressed air and we run the irrigation heads until only mist is coming out.  The irrigation heads are manually turned on from the control satellites throughout each course.

Course Update 11/6/19

We recorded 6.94" of rain over 12 days in October, which is 4.27" above our average for the month.  Year to date we've received 47.24" of rain versus our average of 32.6", or 14.74" above normal.  Heavy rains this time of year have a greater effect on course conditions and areas tend to stay wet longer.  This happens because of shorter days and less sunlight that doesn't evaporate the excess moisture as quickly as it does during the summer.  There's also reduced turf growth that doesn't require as much water so the plants aren't using the soil moisture as quickly.  It's not uncommon to lose .20" or more of moisture during a hot, windy day in the summer to evaporation and plant uptake.

Lakes #4 Rough Project Update 10/17/19

The area to the right of the cart path on Lakes #4 was recently hydroseeded, along with a few other areas, also on the Lakes course.  The hydroseed consisted of Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue grass seeds, a starter fertilizer, and hydromulch.  The hydromulch makes up the largest portion of the spray mix and is mostly paper fibers.  The grass seed attaches to the mulch during the application process, and the mulch holds water that the seed needs to germinate faster.  If applied properly, the mulch will also stick to the ground and minimize washouts during rain events.  We've had a couple heavy rains and the areas have not washed out thanks to the proper application by the contractor.  The next few days are supposed to be sunny and a little warmer, so we should see new seedlings in that time.  We won't mow the new grass until it has mostly filled in and had time to mature.

Lakes #1 tee where the gazebo used to sit is prepped and ready for hydroseed.

Hydroseeding along the road at Lakes #4 tee where we stockpiled topsoil during the project.

The contractor started hydroseeding down near the rain shelter on Lakes #4 and worked his way back up towards the tees.

Right of the cart path on Lakes #4 after hydroseeding was completed.  The bluish material is the hydromulch and makes it easy for the contractor to determine if enough mixture has been applied.

Hydroseeding above Lakes #7 green where a large Oak tree was removed.

2019 Drainage Project Update 10/3/19

The contractor has been working on Grove #6 this week in the left rough before the pond.  There has been standing water in this area for the past several years even during times of drought, but there isn't any irrigation that far down in the rough.  Once the contractor dug several inspection holes we quickly realized that the cause of the problem was a clogged pipe.  Over the years gravel, dirt, and other debris found its way into the 6" pipe and eventually plugged it up.  Once we determined the problem our only option was to dig up the existing pipe and replace it with new pipe and fresh gravel from the edge of the fairway all the way to the pond.

The contractor first started digging in the wet spot on Grove #6 to locate any existing drain lines.  A six inch diameter drain line was found, but wasn't flowing water.

After removing a section of the 6" line we realized it was clogged with mud and debris.  Cleaning it out wasn't possible so our only option was to replace it.

Here's the trench that starts at the pond and extends up to the edge of the fairway.  The pieces of pipe you see laying next to the trench are the old 6" pipe that was clogged.

Near the edge of the fairway we discovered a 4" pipe laying on top of the 6" pipe.  The 4" pipe comes from further up the fairway and had a constant flow of water.

Once the trench was excavated and the old pipe was removed, the contractor installed new 6" drainage pipe and fresh gravel to keep the area dry.

Another pipe was found during excavation which connected to the original 6" pipe closer to the pond.  The contactor replaced the damaged section of pipe and connected it to the new 6" pipe.

A 12" diameter basin was installed near the edge of the fairway to connect the 4" and 6" pipes to.  The incoming water will then be carried away by the new 6" discharge pipe.  The basin also allows for visual inspection that the pipes are flowing water and has enough room for us to get a hose into should a pipe become clogged.

2019 Drainage Project Update 9/19/19

The drainage contractor resumed work on Orchard #1 this week, both near the green and at the beginning of the fairway.  Work near the green consisted of extending an existing 30" diameter pipe to better handle the amount of water that drains from the driving range and surrounding area.  It also allowed us to more securely connect the new 4" pipe that drains the areas surrounding the cart path that used to stay flooded.  Work adjacent to the beginning of the fairway will catch and slow down the excess water that runs down the hill from the driving range tee and onto the fairway.  The contractor anticipates completing these areas this week, then will start on Grove #6 in the left rough before the pond.

A gravel sump was installed on Orchard #1 near the beginning of the fairway along the right side of the cart path.  Its purpose is to collect water that runs down the hill from the driving range tees and prevent it from soaking the fairway.  New drainage pipe was also installed at the bottom of the sump.

The contractor extended an existing drain line on Orchard #1 to connect to the gravel sump.

This 30" drain line to the right of Orchard #1 green was missing a 20' section and had considerable erosion around the inlet of the discharge pipe.

Here the contractor is lining up the new section of 30" pipe.  Even though it's a type of plastic, pipe this big is very heavy and requires a machine to move it around.

Course Update 9/12/19

Strong storms rolled thru yesterday afternoon but only dropped .10" of rain.  That was only our second rain event this month, with the first one occurring on 9/1 resulting in 2.54".  Based on current weather patterns September looks to be warmer and drier than normal, which is a complete opposite of last year when we received over 11" of rain in September thanks to two hurricanes.  This past August was also surprisingly dry having only received 1.94" compared to the monthly average of 3.23".  However, year to date thru the end of August we've received 36.4" of rain compared to our average of 26.7" (+9.75") and 94 days out of 243 have seen measurable rain events.

This is the time of year when we start to see turf damage from skunks and raccoons foraging for white grubs.  We preventatively apply an insecticide every spring to keep the insects from maturing where they cause the most damage, but similar to last year we are seeing damage in the rough and on a couple tees.  The lack of control is most likely due to the wet spring and excessive rainfall that caused the product to move from the treatment area, limiting its effectiveness.  To prevent further damage to the turf we've sprayed an insecticide that will kill the white grubs upon contact in the soil.  For it to work properly the insecticide has to be watered in so it moves into the rootzone where the grubs are feeding, and yesterday's rain occurred at the perfect time to do just that.  It will take several days for the grubs to die and we will begin repairing the damaged turf with soil and seed, or sand and seed on the tees.

Damage on Grove #4 gold tee from skunks and raccoons foraging for white grubs.

Typical grub damage in the rough.

Turf damaged by white grubs easily pulls up revealing the insect.

2019 Drainage Project Update 8/24/19

The drainage contractor recently started working near Orchard #1 green to address the swamp that formed on both sides of the cart path as a result of last year's record setting rainfall.  In situations like this, it's easier to use the excavator and dig up the low areas where we think drainage pipe should be.  Most of the time if we find pipe it's either crushed, clogged, or both and needs to be replaced.  Such was the case here on #1.  The contractor began digging in the low areas to locate the pipe then removed the dirt and muck above it.  A couple lateral pipes were also found that connected to the main pipe and were reconnected to the new pipe.  After the trench was dug and we figured out what pipes came from where, a fresh layer of gravel was placed in the bottom of the trench and new 4" perforated drain pipe was installed.  A 12" diameter basin was also installed that allowed us to connect two inlet pipes to our new outlet pipe, and the large basin acts like a cleanout port to easily stick a hose into any of the three pipes to flush out debris should a blockage occur.  Once all the pipes were installed and connected, more clean gravel was used to backfill the trench.  Once the areas dry out the contractor will strip all the damaged sod and clean up the remaining debris.  Drainage sand will then be used to cover the gravel and obtain the final grade, followed by installing new rough sod.

The contractor is starting to dig test holes to locate old drainage.

The old drainage pipe is removed while the trench is being dug.  All the water in the trench is groundwater that would eventually make its way to the surface without adequate drainage.

This is where the old pipe makes a 90 degree turn and discharged into a collection pool in the rough.

Here's a couple of the old pipes that are now connected to the 12" basin and flowing freely.

Here's what the area currently looks like and has dried out considerably.

Course Update 8/15/19

Fairway aerification took place this week after postponing last week due to weather delays.  The same contractor was used during previous aerifications and all 27 holes were completed over four days (the fourth day was required due to rain on Tuesday).  Because we only closed 9 holes per day the contractor didn't need as much equipment, but still used three tractors, two large aerifiers, and one recycling machine with a total value of $180,000.  They charge us $270 per acre to core aerify and recycle the plugs which comes out to $10,800 for our 40 acres of fairway.  The aerifiers were setup with 48 hollow tines that removed a 3/4" diameter core 4" deep, which created 24 holes per square foot.  That equates to 41,817,600 holes across all the fairways.  That may seem like a lot of holes, but it only affected 5% of the total surface area.  The next step in the process is topdressing all the fairways, which will begin after the Men's Member/Member tournament.

Aerification is an important and necessary practice in providing great playing conditions.  CLICK HERE to learn more about the process and why we do it.

The contractor uses two large aerifiers that each have a 98" working width for maximum productivity.

Once the plugs (cores) dry out enough they are broken up with two heavy steel drag mats that go over every fairway several times.  The goal is to separate the soil from the organic matter (thatch) so the soil can be worked back into the holes.

Once the fairways are dragged the contractor uses a recycling machine hooked to another tractor to pulverize the soil and thatch into finer pieces.

The debris on the surface of this fairway is thatch that was left after the recycling process.  Thatch is found in every turfgrass area and some thatch is needed to insulate and protect the plant.  Too much thatch is a problem and causes playing surfaces to be soft and spongy, and holds water which leads to more disease.

The final step in the process is for the maintenance staff to blow the thatch and any remaining debris off the fairways and then clean off irrigation heads, yardage markers and drains.  Here all five blowers are working together on Orchard #8 to clean off the lower fairway yesterday afternoon.