It's still winter

After a brief respite last week, the recent blast of frigid temperatures and every possible form of precipitation has quickly reminded us that it's still winter in Wisconsin.  Recently, we've spent a few days on the course, clearing the greens that had accumulated the most snow.  On February 11, it took eight hours for four employees with three snowblowers to clear greens three and six.  These greens also had the most significant ice cover, and we wanted to allow them the chance to breathe once the weather warmed.  We also spent the majority of a day clearing the large drifts that were on 18 green and the putting green.  Without clearing these areas, they would have remained under ice cover, even through the recent thaw.  With all of the snow, ice, and, most recently, rain, there is the potential for some winter injury on the course.  However, at this point, it's too early to be certain. 



A few hours later, the green
 was finally cleared.



Dave Noltner beginning
 the snow removal on 3 green.













On a warmer note, Omar Zaldivar has been putting the final touches on the tee blocks this week.  Each year, all of the tee blocks are sanded, repainted, and the spray application of the Blackhawk logo is the final step.



Blizzard and The Big Show

Wisconsin's weather never ceases to amaze, does it?  After getting a foot-and-a-half of snow this week, my driveway looks like a snowboarding halfpipe, and we're debating whether or not to install a tow rope to scale the mountains of snow by our shop.

For the short term, the additional snow doesn't pose any problems to the health of the turf, and, as I've previously mentioned, it acts as a nice blanket to protect the plants from the freezing temperatures.  As the snow begins to melt in the spring, we'll have to closely monitor areas to ensure that they won't have numerous melt/refreeze cycles.  Such cycles can be detrimental to turf that has depleted energy stores from the long winter.  Eventually, we likely will have to remove some snow from 3 green because the snow accumulates in this area, and the low sun angle combined with the overpass and barrier trees behind the green prevents sunlight from reaching this particular spot on the course.

After the recent weather, it's safe to say that Chad and I are looking forward to spending next week in sunny (hopefully) Orlando.  This year's Golf Industry Show (GIS) runs from February 7-11.  GIS is our association's annual trade show and educational conference that attracts thousands golf course superintendents, vendors, and other industry professionals from around the world.  Here, we are able to learn about and see the latest and greatest in turfgrass management.  This year, I will be taking a seminar titled, "Advanced Stress Management Strategies for Cool-Season Turf."  Chad and I will also attend a host of free seminars and spend many hours on the trade show floor.  Additionally, we will catch up with colleagues, who are often the best sources of information.  All in all, the GIS keeps us up-to-date and is invaluable in helping us maintain the course.  During trying economic times, we don't take this opportunity for granted and truly appreciate the club's commitment to continuing education.

Rest assured, we do everything possible to keep our costs to a minimum.  This year, we are fortunate enough to be driving to the show with Nick Strain, an occasional weekend worker on our crew and territory manager for Barenbrug Seeds.  In recent years, we've taken advantage of credit card points for our major purchases, and we'll be using some of those points for our flight back and to pay for our lodging and meals.  To keep these costs down, we attend sponsored receptions and are staying in a $190/a night condo with three colleagues.  Over the past two years, I've also won $1200 in course equipment at our trade show, and I'm crossing my fingers that my winning ways will continue this year.  If anyone attends the GIS for cheaper than Chad and me, I'd be surprised.

Besides the education, networking, and warm weather, Chad and I will be displaying our rusty golf games when we play a round with Derrick Strub.  Derrick, the son of Doug and Beckie, works at Grande Pines in Orlando and was kind enough to provide us with complimentary rounds.  Needless to say, I will be packing a health supply of golf balls for the trip.

Well, I hope that you survived the blizzard unscathed and are preparing for the Packers' certain victory this Sunday.   Go Pack Go!

Winter Education

Besides a fresh couple of inches of snow, not a whole lot has changed on the golf course since the last update.  However, the latest snow certainly did come just in time to insulate the turf from the frigid stretch of weather that's being forecasted for the next few days.  Inside the cozy confines of the shop, our scheduled winter maintenance is progressing quickly, and we are on schedule to get everything done before the course reopens.

One of the highlights of the winter season are the various educational seminars that crew members are able to attend.  In this profession, problems, products, and research evolves rapidly, and these seminars keep us up-to-date on the latest and greatest in the turf world.  Each year, things learned at these seminars are incorporated into our maintenance practices, and there is no doubt that they help us in keeping the course up to par.  Besides the formal education involved in the seminars, they offer opportunities to network with our industry peers, and tips learned through these encounters are just as valuable as the university research that we learn about.  Recently, our equipment manager, Dave, attended an electrical troubleshooting seminar that was organized by our Toro distributor, Reinders.  Chad and I have gone to seminars hosted by John Deere Landscapes and the Wisconsin Club Managers Association that dealt with emerald ash borer and the summer of 2010, respectively.  This week, Chad, Nick, and I were fortunate enough to attended the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association EXPO, which is an annual day-long seminar that's filled with great information.

The commitment that Blackhawk has to continuing education is remarkable, especially in today's economic climate.  But, you can be assured that, while it may be impossible to measure, the return on investment is a positive one.

New Year, Old Worries

Happy New Year to you all.  Each year, the grounds crew saves enough vacation time to unwind and enjoy the holiday season.  On December 22, we had our annual cookout to send us off for the year, and we returned to work on January 3.  Besides the disappointing Badgers loss at the Rose Bowl, we all enjoyed this time of relaxation with family and friends. 

When we left on the 22nd, the golf course had a beautiful white blanket of snow cover to insulate it from the harsh winter.  From the tracks that lined the course, it appeared as if everyone was taking advantage of Blackhawk for some winter recreation.  However, after a few dreary, warm days, much of the snow has melted, and we are unfortunately left with a snowless and occassionally icy golf course. 


A look from 1 green down the fairway on December 31 illustrates the New Years Eve thaw.

 

On January 3, a small patch of ice is all that remains on 1 green.

As you can tell from the above pictures, the thaw was slow enough to allow most of the water to disappear, but it did result in sporadic ice accumulation on the greens.  Because they are almost completely shaded during the winter, greens 3 and 6 had less snow melt and more ice accumulate.  Right now, Chad and I aren't too concerned about the ice that we have now because it didn't form rapidly.  However, the ice is clear and hard, and winter injury may occur if this ice persists for longer than 60 days.  Obviously, a lot can change between now and early March, and the best course of action regarding ice on greens is an inexact science.  Hopefully, the snow cover that we had will return, but you just never know with Wisconsin's weather.

We hope that you had an enjoyable holiday season and are looking forward to a great 2011!

BRRRRRR!!

Looking outside, it's hard to imagine that the golf course only closed two weeks ago. And, after getting into my frozen car this morning, it's even more difficult to remember why exactly I like winter, but I digress.  As the following picture illustrates, the cross-country skiers were out in full force following the 4" of fluffy, white snow that we received from Friday night into Saturday morning.  Even though the calendar says winter doesn't officially begin until December 21, the current conditions and extended forecast beg to differ.

Tracks from cross-country skiers are already visible on 7 fairway.

 As far as how this relates to the golf course, we finished putting up ropes and snow fence on Friday, and our course work is essentially done for the year.  People often wonder what the snow means for the turf, and to break it down in simple terms, snow=good and ice=bad.  So, here's to hoping that the snow sticks around until the course is ready to wake up in spring.