GOLF MAINTENANCE AND AGRONOMY

July 2012

GENERAL 

· General maintenance philosophy for the month of July centered on consistent and high quality playing surfaces. Additionally, prioritizing daily visual presentation.

· Overall month of July seasonable temperatures with below normal precipitation.

· Turf conditions continue to improve relevant to traffic and environmental conditions. With high clay soils, minimizing soil compaction during periods of high moisture is critical.

· Continuing to train staff in proper maintenance operations, and efficient use of time. Need to enhance training program for next year and set standards more clearly.



AGRONOMY 

· (2) Application of light sand topdressing on greens. July 2nd walker spread sand at 25 lbs. / M. July 16th Dakota spreader application of sand at 300 lbs. / M.

· (2) Application of light sand on Approaches and Tees at 23 cubic yards of sand per 5,000 sq. ft.

· Sprayed greens every 7-10 day (3x) with soluble nitrogen (0.19 lbs/N/M)and micronutrients along with plant growth regulator Trinexapac-ethyl. Applied monthly wetting agent on greens July 10th.

· Applied foliar nutrients and PGR to Fairways, Tees and approaches (2x), application materials consisting of soluble nitrogen at 0.24 lbs/Nitrogen/1000 sq.ft *(0.24 lbs/N/M), micronutrients and plant growth regulator Trimmit 2SC (Paclobutrazol).

· (1) Application of Heritage fungicide to Tees and Approaches July 11th.

· (1) Application of wetting agent to Fairways, Tees, and Approaches July 16th. Magna Plex Polymeric Surfactant by Precision.

· Applied remaining spray product and rinsate from fairway applications to Practice facility floor and target greens.

· Purchased barley straw from local farm, fashioned wire cages where barley straw was placed and anchored cages along pond edge #3 greenside. With the addition of barley straw to the water, as the straw decomposes releasing a naturally occurring chemical that inhibits new algae growth.

MAINTENANCE 

· Maintained consistent ball roll distance on green within a range of 9.5 -11 as measured with a standard stimpmeter.

· Continued to utilize greens surface rolling

· Continued removal of cattail along water features, leaving a population were minimal impact visually.

· Implemented a formal fairway/tee divot program and greens ball mark repair.

· Mowed Practice facility floor/fairway at 0.375” fairway height July 9th.

· Applied cold asphalt patch to damaged cart paths, where water has eroded away.


IRRIGATION

· Continued to level around irrigation heads in fairways where soil has settled creating dish bowl effect, holding water around irrigation head.

· With on-site clay soils, observing saturated areas where irrigation pipe was installed, where water is following the weakest point along the irrigation pipe and then accumulating near the irrigation head creating a water bubble.

· Continued to implement deep and infrequent (5-10 day) watering schedule on greens. Encouraging firmer surface conditions, improved rooting, and reducing sodium accumulations.

· Repaired (5) broken pipe or fittings in various areas.

· Repaired (6) loose and or broken o-ring on swing joints.

· Irrigation water used on course 13,540,288 gallons.


OTHER 

· True Service training with staff on July 13th.

· Completed Safety National score card July 16th – 22 Amateur Match Play Championship Sand Creek Station.

· Staff Level – 10 (>35 hours) and 10 (<25 hours). Approximate hours used for the pay period of July 2nd – 29th 2142 hours.

· Released employment of one staff member for substandard work and weak judgment jeopardizing overall safety.


WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station) 4/22 – 4/28.

· Mean Avg Temperature 75 – Max Temperature 93 – Min Temperature 77.

· Precipitation measured on site 1.12”. 7/3, 7/8, 7/25, & 7/27.


NEXT MONTH 

· Continue high quality daily setup and visual presentation.

· With seasonal temperature change toward the end of the month, shift focus on agronomic activities; Verticut and sand topdress Greens, increase sand topdressing on Tees and Approaches, core aerify high impact areas in Fairways and Roughs.

· Continue with irrigation head leveling, repairing settled areas.