GOLF MAINTENANCE AND AGRONOMY
AUGUST 2012
GENERAL
· Beginning half of the month started with a mix of precipitation, and high temperatures and humidity, a relative continuation of a hot and dry growing season. Essentially, turf conditions remained consistent throughout property, tolerating summer stresses, but noticing symptoms form excessive heat and high traffic injury. These areas will be focal points for increased cultural practices including core aerification, and sand topdressing and seeding.
· Notably some weakening developed with greens cleanup and adjacent collars. A combination of high maintenance activities (mow and rolling), overlap of PGR’s weakening turf, and excess surface moisture from high humidity and rain fall. Additionally, observing some damage for greens rollers especially after application of sand to greens. Need to avoid spinning rollers and recommend testing different type of greens roller. Moreover, anticipate raising mower heights from 0.100 to 0.125” for limited time during recovery.
· Rust fungus development in bluegrass sodded areas (reddish orange spores). A common occurrence in late summer and early fall brought on by excess moisture, soil compaction and low fertility. Minimal impact on turf with action plan for normal scheduled fertilizer application in coming month.
· Some dollar spot disease development in isolated locations on fairways, tees and approaches noticed, isolated to areas with minimal air movement, no significant concern. Growth of disease associated with lower nitrogen and excess moisture (humidity, irrigation and rainfall). As environmental conditions become more favorable for cool season turfgrass, disease pressure will lessen. Largely, with minimal fungicide applications this season, turf conditions were acceptable within relative thresholds. Implement additional fungicide applications for sight specific areas where disease pressure is observed.
· By the end of the month, all of our school age team member will be returning to peruse their academic studies. We will look to fill a couple of part time positions for the remainder of 2012 golfing season.
AGRONOMY
· Granular application 28-0-3 to intermediate rough, and green and tee surrounds.
· (2) Application of light sand topdressing on greens. (8/7) walker spread sand at 25 lbs. / M. (8/28) Dakota spreader application of sand at 300 lbs. / M.
· (2) Application of light sand on Approaches and Tees (8/6 & 8/28) at 23 cubic yards of sand per 5,000 sq. ft.
· Sprayed greens every 7-10 day (3x) (8/1, 8/14, & 8/22) with soluble nitrogen (0.19 lbs/N/M)and micronutrients along with plant growth regulator Trinexapac-ethyl.
· Applied foliar nutrients and PGR to Fairways, Tees and approaches (7/31, 8/14, 8/30), 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).
· Sprayed broadleaf herbicide to all Green and Tee Surrounds 8/23 & 8/24).
MAINTENANCE
· Continued attention to Tee, Fairway and Collection area divot repair. Also, continue to allocate time to ball mark repair on greens, filling ball marks with sand.
· Used Aerway solid tine aerifier around fairways. Continue use as soil conditions warrant.
· Bunker repair #12 where clay sub grade protruding for bunker flashing. Appears moisture is pushing the face of the bunker out exposing clay.
· Significant bunker damage from overnight rainfall 8/27. Several days to push sand back up. Bunker on #17 and #18 greenside holding water. Increased sediment accumulation after precipitation.
· Moved practice hitting area back to the front position where we started during the beginning of the year. Still need to improve seed germination and divot recover.
· Repaired and sodded bridge on #6, leveled subgrade with clay and capped with sand to bridge level and sodded. Stripped sod from #9 tee surrounds where irrigation head will be switched to part circle and seeded with fescue turf. Bridge closes to green will be repaired next.
· Started repair of cart path edges, adding sand topdressing to low areas where water accumulates, and areas of weak turf associated with vehicle traffic wear. Continue process through fall season with addition of seed.
· Stained all wood furniture. Using locally available stain. Next month order stain from assessor manufacture to compare difference in appearance.
· Used remaining cold asphalt patch material to repair cart path damage. Observing continual deterioration of cart paths especially in low areas where water accumulates. Recommend removal of entire section and replace sub base material.
· Repaired and seeded chipping green damage/weak areas and #11 tee sod nursery.
· Maintained consistent ball roll distance on green within a range of 10 -11.5 as measured with a standard stimpmeter.
· Mowing heights; Greens @ 0.110 – 0.100”, Collars @ 0.325”, Fairways, Tees and Approaches @ 0.325”, Intermediate Rough @ 0.75”, Primary Rough @ 2”.
AUGUST 2012
GENERAL
· Beginning half of the month started with a mix of precipitation, and high temperatures and humidity, a relative continuation of a hot and dry growing season. Essentially, turf conditions remained consistent throughout property, tolerating summer stresses, but noticing symptoms form excessive heat and high traffic injury. These areas will be focal points for increased cultural practices including core aerification, and sand topdressing and seeding.
· Notably some weakening developed with greens cleanup and adjacent collars. A combination of high maintenance activities (mow and rolling), overlap of PGR’s weakening turf, and excess surface moisture from high humidity and rain fall. Additionally, observing some damage for greens rollers especially after application of sand to greens. Need to avoid spinning rollers and recommend testing different type of greens roller. Moreover, anticipate raising mower heights from 0.100 to 0.125” for limited time during recovery.
· Rust fungus development in bluegrass sodded areas (reddish orange spores). A common occurrence in late summer and early fall brought on by excess moisture, soil compaction and low fertility. Minimal impact on turf with action plan for normal scheduled fertilizer application in coming month.
· Some dollar spot disease development in isolated locations on fairways, tees and approaches noticed, isolated to areas with minimal air movement, no significant concern. Growth of disease associated with lower nitrogen and excess moisture (humidity, irrigation and rainfall). As environmental conditions become more favorable for cool season turfgrass, disease pressure will lessen. Largely, with minimal fungicide applications this season, turf conditions were acceptable within relative thresholds. Implement additional fungicide applications for sight specific areas where disease pressure is observed.
· By the end of the month, all of our school age team member will be returning to peruse their academic studies. We will look to fill a couple of part time positions for the remainder of 2012 golfing season.
AGRONOMY
· Granular application 28-0-3 to intermediate rough, and green and tee surrounds.
· (2) Application of light sand topdressing on greens. (8/7) walker spread sand at 25 lbs. / M. (8/28) Dakota spreader application of sand at 300 lbs. / M.
· (2) Application of light sand on Approaches and Tees (8/6 & 8/28) at 23 cubic yards of sand per 5,000 sq. ft.
· Sprayed greens every 7-10 day (3x) (8/1, 8/14, & 8/22) with soluble nitrogen (0.19 lbs/N/M)and micronutrients along with plant growth regulator Trinexapac-ethyl.
· Applied foliar nutrients and PGR to Fairways, Tees and approaches (7/31, 8/14, 8/30), 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).
· Sprayed broadleaf herbicide to all Green and Tee Surrounds 8/23 & 8/24).
MAINTENANCE
· Continued attention to Tee, Fairway and Collection area divot repair. Also, continue to allocate time to ball mark repair on greens, filling ball marks with sand.
· Used Aerway solid tine aerifier around fairways. Continue use as soil conditions warrant.
· Bunker repair #12 where clay sub grade protruding for bunker flashing. Appears moisture is pushing the face of the bunker out exposing clay.
· Significant bunker damage from overnight rainfall 8/27. Several days to push sand back up. Bunker on #17 and #18 greenside holding water. Increased sediment accumulation after precipitation.
· Moved practice hitting area back to the front position where we started during the beginning of the year. Still need to improve seed germination and divot recover.
· Repaired and sodded bridge on #6, leveled subgrade with clay and capped with sand to bridge level and sodded. Stripped sod from #9 tee surrounds where irrigation head will be switched to part circle and seeded with fescue turf. Bridge closes to green will be repaired next.
· Started repair of cart path edges, adding sand topdressing to low areas where water accumulates, and areas of weak turf associated with vehicle traffic wear. Continue process through fall season with addition of seed.
· Stained all wood furniture. Using locally available stain. Next month order stain from assessor manufacture to compare difference in appearance.
· Used remaining cold asphalt patch material to repair cart path damage. Observing continual deterioration of cart paths especially in low areas where water accumulates. Recommend removal of entire section and replace sub base material.
· Repaired and seeded chipping green damage/weak areas and #11 tee sod nursery.
· Maintained consistent ball roll distance on green within a range of 10 -11.5 as measured with a standard stimpmeter.
· Mowing heights; Greens @ 0.110 – 0.100”, Collars @ 0.325”, Fairways, Tees and Approaches @ 0.325”, Intermediate Rough @ 0.75”, Primary Rough @ 2”.
IRRIGATION
· Continued to level around irrigation heads in fairways where soil has settled creating dish bowl effect, holding water around irrigation head.
· Replace broken 900 head #8 fairways, hit by mower.
· Repaired (1) broken pipe or fittings (T @ practice tee) in various areas.
· Repaired (7) loose and or broken o-ring on swing joints.
· Communication between #11-15 damaged. Contacted JD Irrigation for repair assistance.
· Irrigation water pump to course and maintenance facility for washing equipment August 6,157,265 gallons. (July 13,540,288).
· August water replenishment from municipal source 99,900 gallons (13,3556 cu ft) @ $0.010936 cu ft. (~$146.55)
OTHER / EQUIPMENT
· Fire extinguisher inspection and service conducted Friday 8/31 for both Clubhouse and Maintenance Facility. Inspection and service last perform 2010. Schedule on annual basis.
· Spilled gasoline on #10 green (8/16) when gas cap on backpack blower was not properly tighten and checked prior to using. No action taken minimal disruption to surface, and no lasting effect.
· Changed staff morning starting time to 5:30 am on 8/9.
· Repaired grinder pump for sanitary waste system at Maintenance Facility, pump out wash pad and clubhouse sediment tanks. Schedule on annual basis.
· Equipment maintenance and repair managed, but continuing to observed challenges with optimal efficiency and age of equipment. Additional failure of fatigued parts and extended repair time a limiting factor.
· Many reel units (triplex, fiveplex, and greens mowers) near usable reel diameter life. Reel replacement likely be end of next season.
WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station)
· Mean Avg Temperature 71 (4 degree less than last month) – Max Temperature 95 (8/3) – Min Temperature 50 (8/21).
· Precipitation measured on site 4.03” 8/4, 8/5, 8/8, 8/9, 8/14, & 8/27.
NEXT MONTH
· Aggressive greens verticut and sand topdressing Tuesday 9/18.
· Core aerify around collars and approaches after 9/18.
· Granular fertilizer application first and last week in September and anticipate two application in October weather dependent.
· Continue broadleaf herbicide applications as needed.
· Eliminate growth regulators in tank mix to encourage optimal growth and carbohydrate storage.
· 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.
· Continued to level around irrigation heads in fairways where soil has settled creating dish bowl effect, holding water around irrigation head.
· Replace broken 900 head #8 fairways, hit by mower.
· Repaired (1) broken pipe or fittings (T @ practice tee) in various areas.
· Repaired (7) loose and or broken o-ring on swing joints.
· Communication between #11-15 damaged. Contacted JD Irrigation for repair assistance.
· Irrigation water pump to course and maintenance facility for washing equipment August 6,157,265 gallons. (July 13,540,288).
· August water replenishment from municipal source 99,900 gallons (13,3556 cu ft) @ $0.010936 cu ft. (~$146.55)
OTHER / EQUIPMENT
· Fire extinguisher inspection and service conducted Friday 8/31 for both Clubhouse and Maintenance Facility. Inspection and service last perform 2010. Schedule on annual basis.
· Spilled gasoline on #10 green (8/16) when gas cap on backpack blower was not properly tighten and checked prior to using. No action taken minimal disruption to surface, and no lasting effect.
· Changed staff morning starting time to 5:30 am on 8/9.
· Repaired grinder pump for sanitary waste system at Maintenance Facility, pump out wash pad and clubhouse sediment tanks. Schedule on annual basis.
· Equipment maintenance and repair managed, but continuing to observed challenges with optimal efficiency and age of equipment. Additional failure of fatigued parts and extended repair time a limiting factor.
· Many reel units (triplex, fiveplex, and greens mowers) near usable reel diameter life. Reel replacement likely be end of next season.
WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station)
· Mean Avg Temperature 71 (4 degree less than last month) – Max Temperature 95 (8/3) – Min Temperature 50 (8/21).
· Precipitation measured on site 4.03” 8/4, 8/5, 8/8, 8/9, 8/14, & 8/27.
NEXT MONTH
· Aggressive greens verticut and sand topdressing Tuesday 9/18.
· Core aerify around collars and approaches after 9/18.
· Granular fertilizer application first and last week in September and anticipate two application in October weather dependent.
· Continue broadleaf herbicide applications as needed.
· Eliminate growth regulators in tank mix to encourage optimal growth and carbohydrate storage.
· 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.
