Greens covers

The grounds staff completed the installation of all five greens covers yesterday (11/21) and the timing could not have been any better. This is the third winter that #11 and #17 green will be covered, the second winter for #3 green, and this fall we added covers to #8 and #14.



Applying cover to #3 green Thursday (11/21)



Snow on the course the following morning (11/22)





In addition, the golf course will be closed to play this weekend and greens will lkely remain closed until spring.

November Update

The month of November has been a busy one for the grounds staff. So far we have accomplished a number of tasks in order to prepare for winter.

On Thursday (11/7) the grounds staff removed the large Ash tree located next to #3 mens tee. This tree was selected for removal for many reasons; first, being an Ash tree it was only a matter of time before it would become infested with Emerald Ash Borer. Second, the removal of this tree will help get more sun on #2 green, especially in the winter. Third, #3 tee would frequently dry out in that back corner so the removal of this tree should help with moisture management. In addition, Honey Locusts located behind #10 green and #11 green were removed as well. The removal of these trees should help increase light and air flow and promote healthier turf in the surrounding area.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday (11/12-13) the irrigation system was winterized as were the restrooms on the golf course. The irrigation system needs to be cleared of water using compressed air so the water does not freeze in the pipes over winter.

On Friday (11/15) snow mold protection was applied to greens, tees, and fairways. Snow mold is a winter disease caused by cold-loving fungal species. Snow mold is unique because it can attack the grass plant at low temperatures. If left untreated, this disease could have a devastating effect on these turf areas.

All of these tasks will help prepare the golf course for winter.

Take a little off the top

Today we began the process of cutting back all the perennial ornamentals on the golf course. Work was completed on the beds around the clubhouse and some of the areas on the course with the rest of the beds to be finished in the near future. The recent string of frosty nights have pretty much put an end to the aesthetic beauty of these plants for the year. It is necessary to remove the dead tissue once a year so the beds do not appear messy and overgrown. Perennials can be cut back in either the spring or fall and consists of simply cutting the plants about one or two inches above ground level.

Notice anything missing?

With the end of the golf season approacing, the grounds staff has begun removing course accessories from the golf course. The drinking fountains located at the bathrooms on #6 were disconnected last week to prevent water from freezing in the lines and causing damage. In addition, the water coolers and tee signs were brought in and put away for the winter. The next item to be brought in will most likely be ballwashers. Ballwashers need to be brought in before the liquid inside freezes as this would cause them to crack. Along with course accessories, most of the hitting mats on the driving range tee were brought in and the remainder will be taken in Friday in conjunction with the closing of the range for the season. These tasks are completed once we get caught up blowing and mulching leaves and periodic mowing. All of this work is to prepare the golf course for winter and make sure we are not surprised when the first snow comes. The next few weeks will be busy as we will be blowing out the irrigation system, applying snow mold protection, and preparing to cover greens just to name a few things. Lets hope the weather in November cooperates and we are able to complete everything without any problems.

First frost

Monday morning (10/14) we had the first frost of the fall season. Overnight low temperatures were down in the low 30's and skies were clear which is a combination that will almost always result in frost. However, having temperatures around or below freezing does not neccessarily mean frost will develop. Heavy cloud cover can trap heat given off by living organisms and keep the ground warm enough to avoid frost. Conversely, air temperatures can be in the mid to upper 40's and frost can still develop if skies are clear overnight and there is no wind.

It is important to stay off the turf when frost is present. Frost occurs when the water in the turfs cells freeze. Traffic on this turf can cause the ice to rupture the cells resulting in turf injury.