Intermediate Rough Cut

After a brief test run on the South Course, we have decided to add an intermediate rough cut to the West Course and North Course over the next few weeks.  The feedback from members has been very positive.  As the cut matures the definition between the fairway and intermediate cut  and the intermediate cut and rough cut will become more pronounced.

12 West Waste Area

During the current West Course closure the golf maintenance department is installing a waste area between #12 West Green and #13 West Tee.  The waste area will be very similar to the one located to the right of #14 South Green installed last summer.  The primary reason for installing the waste area was to remove the cart path that had severely deteriorated over the years. However, the added benefit is a waste area that is easier to hit from than pine needles and requires less overall maintenance.  Additional photos will be posted once completed.



West Course Greens - Verticutting

The above is a short video demonstrating some of the verticutting we perform on the putting greens during the summer closures.  Verticutting helps remove excess leaf tissue, thatch and surface organic matter.  The process promotes a smoother and firmer putting surface.

New Practice Putting Green

Five weeks after planting,  the new practice putting green is growing in quite well.  The Champion bermudagrass sprigs have really taken to the recent rainfall and have covered about 75% of the putting surface.   We have begun mowing the green once a week at a height of 0.200".  Once the surface is completely covered with grass, we will then take steps to ensure smooth ball roll prior to opening.  As it stands now, we are on schedule to open the green Labor Day week.  Again, thank you for your patience.

Mole Cricket Treatment

Mole Cricket Nymph

On Tuesday, June 21, an application of Chipco Choice was made to the fairways on the South golf course and the fairways of the West golf course south of the L-14 canal.  Chipco Choice is applied by slit injecting the insecticide directly into the soil.  This method ensures better efficacy of the insecticide at lower rates of application.  Thus allowing play to resume on the treated areas of the golf course immediately after application.  The primary target pest is the mole cricket, however, multiple ant species are controlled by the Choice as well. The mole cricket damages turfgrass by burrowing in the soil and feeding on roots.  The feeding weakens the turfgrass plant and the tunneling disrupts the playing surfaces.  Application timing is very important, as it is best to apply the insecticide when mole crickets are young and easier to control.  Some slits in the surface may be visible on the fairways following the application but will disappear after a couple of mowings.



Chipco Choice Applicator



Fairway Following Chipco Choice Application



Rough Maintenance

As we enter the summer months, one of the concerns of our golfers is the height of the rough cut.  During the winter months we maintain the rough at 2" in an effort to maintain good definition between the rough and fairway cut.  During the summer closures we "scalp" the rough down to 1" effective height of cut in efforts to expose the turf canopy to better sunlight infiltration and to promote new growth.   By doing this, the turf comes back healthier and denser.  Thus, reducing the chances for the golf ball to nestle down in the rough.  We understand that the temporary conditions may not be visually pleasing, however, this will lead to better playing conditions in the future. 

South Course Fairway Aerification

With the fairways generally being around ten times the area of a the putting greens on the golf courses we would use a tractor mounted pull behind fairway aerifier.  However, with one unavailable to suit our needs, we set out to aerify the fairways on the South Course with the same walk behind aerifiers that we use on the greens and tees.  One machine can aerify one acre in 80 minutes.  The South Course has 26 acres of fairways, which constitutes roughly 35 man hours.  The benefits of using the walk behind aerifiers over our current fairways pull behind aerifier, is more of the surface area is disrupted allowing for better water infiltration, reduced compaction, and better air penetration into the soil.  It also provides topdressing to help control thatch.  All leading to better playing surfaces for our golfers in the future.