Blue Greens…or Green Blues?

 

If you were one of the lucky ones able to play golf today, you might have noticed a blue-ish color to the greens.  We added a pigment to the spray tank and I thought you might like to know why.  The blue-green pigment aids the turf in a few different ways.  It blocks harmful UV rays from the sun similar to the way sunscreen does for a human’s skin.  In turn, the grass plants can take in more of the “good light” from the sun increasing photosynthesis and nutrient or chemical uptake.  Studies have also shown that grass plants are able to cool their temperatures under these applications.  I think of it as a type of  umbrella.  A side benefit is that you can see where you have sprayed without the use of foam marker, which can burn the grass during warm weather conditions.

The Battle Continues...and is about to begin

It's a beautiful Saturday in early May and it seems we can't get out from between the rock and the hard place. 

Battle #1: Getting the speed up in the greens. 

     After core aerifying the greens, we received 4 frosty mornings which severely slowed our growth and recovery efforts.  Finally, this past week the greens have made great progress in getting closed back up.  In order to get some speed back quicker we have lowered our cutting height and changed rollers on one of the greens mowers. In doing so, some of the topdressing sand has pulled back up to the surface keeping us in the same boat as a few days ago.  With more favorable conditions in the forecast, we will grow out of the sand and the holes will make their final push to close off.  Hopefully, sooner than later.  If it makes that angsty, sick feeling in my stomach, I surely understand golfing perspective.  Thank you for the patience and understanding. 

...And now that the greens have been mowed this morning, cloud cover rolled in and dew reformed making it look like the mowers never left the shop. 

Battle #2:  Our old foe, Poa.

     This coming week of May 7th, I have penciled in to spray Velocity on our fairways, approaches, and collars.  For those who do not know, Velocity is a herbicide that aids in the elimination of Poa annua (annual bluegrass) in bentgrass.  We will be applying Velocity at the low rate.  Since this is an ongoing process, we want the Poa to transition out and the bentgrass to fill the vacating spots.  The expectations are that the treated areas will turn off color for a period of a few days and then return back to how we see them today.  Some areas of higher Poa populations will most likely start to thin down.  The needs of those areas will be addressed as they arise.  We will have various check plots in the fairways to monitor our progress, so expect to see pictures in future blogs. 

Please feel free to contact the grounds department with any questions.

Although it is May 1st, let me reach back into the archives and post a publication from the end of January.

A Brief Winter Update

            Winter update hardly seems the appropriate title with this unusually warm weather.  I must admit I have been looking forward to a little snow so I could try out some of these great sledding hills we have around the golf course.  Instead of toboggan building we have put an emphasis on rebuilding some of our course accessories and doing some tree trimming. 

            If your golf game has blessed you with a nice right hander’s slice, I’m sure you’ve had many great looks at the two huge, beautiful Beech trees in the right rough of #1.  Since they were in desperate need of trimming and we needed wood to make new tee markers, this seemed like the perfect fit.  After all, if its good enough for some uses in Mercedes Benz and Budwieser, it should be good enough for our tee markers.  We cut all branches with a 3 – 4 1/2 inch diameter into five inch tall pieces.  We routored the edges for a softer look on the tops and painted a recessed band around the side to correspond with each tee position.  After a few more coats of clear, weather protection they will be ready to go.

Beech tree on #1

New tee markers

      Since the weather has been conducive for getting outside, we were able to get some tree trimming accomplished as well.  The main focus was to open some areas up to receive more air and light and bring back intended golf shots to certain tees.  All trees between #17 green and #8 tee have been trimmed close to thirty feet above the ground.  Most undergrowth on the hillsides around #8 and #18 tee has been cut back.  Extensive  clearing has taken place at the following tee complexes:   #8, #9, #14 ladies, #16, #17 both sides, and #18.  This will help create a better look at each hole from the tee and allow better use of the teeing surfaces.

      All of our cutting units have been sharpened, and now we are addressing winter maintenance and repairs.  George has been working very hard at his goose patrol duties. The open water has kept the geese very persistent, but he is holding up his end of the bargain.  Hopefully, everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and is dreaming of green grass.  Feel free to contact me down at the maintenance building. My door is always open.

Welcome to the grounds maintenace blog for Danville CC.  I would like to use this blog as a way to communicate the maintenance side of the golf course to the membership.  This is my first blog, so hang in there with me as we move forward.  I visualize this as being fun and informative.  I think it will be a great way to keep you updated on what we are doing with the golf course and why.  I would also like to run a twitter account for more brief and "in the now" information and link the two together.  Shall we see what happens?