Another season is coming to a close and we are already thinking ahead to 2020. The work we do now will have a big impact on course conditions next year. Currently we are wrapping up fertilizer applications between the rains and doing our best to get turf recovery before the cold weather sets in. It was hard to get started on rough aeration and overseeding when the ground was so dry in September. The quick transition from one extreme to the other didn't give us the time we needed to complete the entire course. Some seed will have to be done later than we'd like. Thankfully 2019 was one of our best as far as the rough is concerned.
Recent frigid temperatures brought an abrupt end to the faint green tint left in the zoysia. It's effectively done growing for the year and will be sleeping soundly a week from now. Our biggest issue now is drainage following the much needed rains. Less daylight, cooler temperatures, and no growth means that it takes a lot longer for drying to occur. Zoysia going into and out of dormancy is more vulnerable to damage especially when the ground is soggy. Another recent challenge with the zoysia is earthworm castings. They can and do make many areas very messy. In wet conditions these castings essentially make a fairway muddy. They are good for the soil, but they are a mess. When dry, we will drag the castings into the turf with a brush behind a cart.
Frost delays are going to be a routine event for the next few months. We do not want to damage the turf by walking or riding on it when it's covered in frost. For this reason, early tee times may be delayed until the frost thaws and we've had a chance to do any necessary course prep. Always check in with the golf shop before visiting the practice green or tee if you suspect there may be frost. We'll get you on the course as soon as it's safe.
Leaf season is here and the battle to keep them under control is in full swing.
We do not blow anything off of club/course property, but we do move the leaves to the sides where we either mulch them or vacuum them up. Please don't be alarmed if you see us moving leaves in your direction. We are just getting them in position to be mulched or removed. It's important to understand that the vacuum can only clean up 1 or 2 holes in a day so we try our best to let the bulk of the leaves fall before we start the vacuum process. Whenever the ground is dry enough for us to blow and mulch, that's what we'll do. You all fight the same issues at home so we feel your pain. From now until Christmas, leaf clean up will be the number one drain on labor.
Thanks for helping us have another fantastic season of golf! We hope to see you playing golf whenever the weather permits.
 |
| Brushing earthworm castings |
 |
| Earthworm castings...left side brushed, right side not brushed |
 |
| Please follow the cart rules for the day |
 |
| Sometimes it's too wet for the big blower |
Comments
Post a Comment