Greens Superintendent’s Report- 12/5/14
Greens:
The cutting height was raised to .156” from .130” in early November to increase winter durability. They are still rolling close to 10’ with the higher height and much slower growth. Verticutting was continued throughout the growing season, usually every other week. They were normally set deep unless it was hot and stressful, when they were raised to a grooming height. This helped tremendously in removing thatch and providing more consistent green speeds.
With the wet conditions in mid-October, it was decided not to core aerate the greens to ensure they healed completely before turf growth stopped. The Red & White greens were deep aerated with ½” solid tines about 6” deep with a 5 degree kickback. The kickback fractures the subsurface of the soil based greens, allowing for better root growth the entire depth of the hole plus the adjacent soil. They were topdressed when it dried enough. They took a bit longer to recover with the kick but rolling them numerous times returned their smoothness. Deep aeration doesn’t benefit sand based greens, so they were double, (2 directions), verticutdeep as possible. This removed 2 full basket sets of thatch per green. The greens mower collected a full set every 2 greens plus the blower still had to blow off the rest of the thatch. This operation removed an enormous amount of thatch. They were also rolled a few times to smooth them more. This will allow the Blue greens to wait for proper core aeration. But if the spring aerating date is wet, they’ll need postponed until they can be properly core aerated.
The greens along with the tees had their late fall fertilization applied. Ammonium sulfate was applied, which quickly releases into the root zone, allowing the plant to store all the carbohydrates until spring when they will green up faster without a flush of growth.
Sand Bunker Rebuilding Project:
Three bunkers were rebuilt in September. These were the right front of Blue 1, the left front of Blue 5 and the right side of Blue 3. Blue 5 had to have a new external drain installed because the old one was full of tree roots. Solid PVC pipe was used outside the bunker so roots wouldn’t be able to enter in the future.
Only the large bunker to the right of Blue 1 was completed in October due to routine maintenance, along with the peak leaf fall of many types of trees, sometimes requiring 3 employees a day just on mulching and blowing leaves. Also a contractor core aerated the 36 acres of fairways followed by pulverizing the plugs. One employee had to go ahead of the pulverizer with their harrow tine drag mat to help break up the plugs so they would chop up better. Then 2 metal drag mats went behind the pulverizer to work in the soil topdressing. Next, a fairway mower went behind the draggers to further chop up the plugs. Then the tractor PTO blower removed as much debris as possible. Half the crew worked past dark on 10/27 and 10/29 to mostly complete this project. But plug cleanup continued on approaches and low areas a couple days longer.
Four more sand bunkers were rebuilt in November. These were the back one on Blue 3, which was a huge bunker taking about 35 tons of sand. It also had to have a new external drain because it was clogged with mud. The left back figure 8 bunker on Blue 2 was next and it needed an additional drain finger and all new external drainage. This was labor intense as it took a 50’ run of pipe with most of the trench being 2 feet deep. The small right back bunker had a good drain and didn’t take long to complete. Then the left back bunker on Blue 2 was done. The external drain was good as it went to a nearby catch basin. But 2 fingers had to be installed on the lower end where it always held water.
This Long, Deep Trench Had to Be Dug For Blue 2 Left Back Bunker.
This first week of December, Blue 4 right bunker is being worked on. It is completely dug out, along with many tree roots. A PVC external drain will need to be installed. The last of the sand on hand will be close to complete the filling. If it’s not enough, all the drains and as much of the bottom as possible will be covered to get it through until next spring without soil contamination.
Completed Projects:
All 133 stump places were seeded, raked in and straw put over. The Red 1 tee/Pro Shop area landscaping was redone. All bushes and trees were trimmed, removing dead vegetation. New gravel was placed around the block walkway. The front of the club entrance was renovated including replacing dead sod, building a mound to the right of the door, a new retaining wall built by Mike Smith and the old town room planter was moved to the new mound with flowers added. Thanks to Mike for all he did. The center driving range nets were reattached to the flagpole a few times but every very hard wind weakened them again. These sections need replaced. Many low limbs affecting play were cut. The driving range tee was overseeded 2 more times in September and October. The main county supply line broke on Saturday, 11/8. We assisted Mike Smith digging up and finally found the leak. Unfortunately, the right part to repair it couldn’t be found and put on until Monday. After which, pea gravel was placed around the pipe and the hole was backfilled the following day. After settling, it will need graded and dormant seeded. All the natural areas have been bushhogged.
Trees and Future Projects:
Six new 2.5” to 3” trees were planted yesterday, including 5 red maples and 1 oak. There is still 1 red oak I’m waiting on the location to plant. It will be kept in good condition until that time. Thanks to all the donors for the 7 trees! It is deeply appreciated.
During the November snowfall and frozen conditions, 5 large dead ash trees were removed on Blue and 3 large ones on White. This will resume after the last bunker is completed. There are 87 more dead trees to cut, almost entirely ash and most are large.
A berm will be installed from the back of White 1 tee to the parking lot to help divert heavy rainfall away from the club entrance to the parking lot. There are many more jobs on the 30-60-90 list that will be worked on all winter.
Ron Patterson, CGCS