GOLF MAINTENANCE AND AGRONOMY 

OCTOBER 2012


GENERAL

· First half of October stayed seasonally warm and dry. As the month progressed cooler temperatures along with consistent precipitation slowed progress of agronomic and maintenance activities. The last 5 days of the month were cool and wet; with Super Storm Sandy bring nearly 4” of precipitation, but did not bring damaging winds as predicted.

· Overall, performed many activities from core aerification in high impact areas, verticutting fairways for thatch removal, and generally preparing for golf course for dormant conditions. Area of improvement looking forward; completion of activities started and addressing late season staffing needs to accomplish projects and agronomic goals.


AGRONOMY 

· Sprayed greens nitrogen @ 0.19 lbs N/M on 10/1, & 10/22 (nitrogen and fungicide application control dollar spot and cold weather fungi).

· Granular fertilizer application 25-0-5 to Green and Tee surrounds, and roughs @ 0.7 lbs. N/M 10/8. Application made using walk spreaders. Reducing waste on non target and contamination of water features.

· Verticut fairways to a depth of 1.25” removing excess thatch material, processed followed behind with sweeper unit. Completed fairways #10, 6, 7, 8, 1, 15, & 16. Ordered new set of verticut blades with carbide tips (stronger and wider) enabling removal of more thatch material without increasing depth. Continuing this process of controlling thatch level will enhance overall playability, effectiveness of irrigation, and nutrient / plant protectant applications.

· Sand topdressed Tees 10/2 and approaches 10/10. Additionally, sand topdress manually low areas around greens #2-8.

· Core aerified left side of #2 greens (20%) and hand sand topdressed. Area continued to show weakness with thin turf.

· Core aerified the second landing area on #3 fairway from 150 yard to green. Anticipate increase root development for traffic tolerance. Additionally, prepared area along cart path for sod, use sand to grade slope along cart for better drainage and increased tolerance to cart traffic.

· Performed solid tine aerification with Aerway spiker around all fairway perimeters 10/15. Utilizing this practice following precipitation event, allow deeper penetration into soil.

· Application of seed to all weak cart path edges followed behind by sand topdressing.

· Reseeded practice tee and sand topdressed surface ensuring complete coverage for divot repair.

· Core aerified using ½” tines greens surround roughs #17 – 13. Compacted areas from construction and sod, and turf weakness form traffic flow to and from green surface.

· Core Aerified with ¾” tines Tee surrounds #10-18, followed by cleanup with sweeper.


MAINTENANCE 

· Completed fescue / tall grass area mowing at 5”using owned articulator pull behind rotary mower, total time 32 hours. Worked well, but flail brush type mower would be more suited. Mowing of these areas enhance future uniformity of fescue, additionally limiting growth of woody deciduous trees. Would like to compete again this fall weather dependent.

· Selectively trimmed down brush areas (rental brush mower) adjacent to greens #11, 13, 14, 17, & #1 and tall native areas in front of #6 tees. Additional space between playing surface and tree/native area improve pace of play and maintain uniformity of plant material.

· Drainage project behind #6 green collection area. Low area holding water and slow to drain. Striped sod, removed existing soil, replaced with sand and ensured proper slope to drain basin.

· Leave and fall debris cleanup as weather allows. Devote resources to leave and debris green up on greens and tees as demand necessitates.

· Cut down and clean up dead tree #5. Remaining dead trees in turf #11, & 12.

· Detail and clean equipment on rainy days.

· Bring in patio and all course accessories except tee markers and flag sticks. Stain all wood accessories and store in maintenance facility.

· Practice Facility closed 10/31. Bring in accessories and stain.

· Mowing heights; Greens @ 0.120, Collars @ 0.350”, Fairways, Tees and Approaches @ 0.350”, Intermediate Rough @ 0.75”, Primary Rough @ 1.75”.

IRRIGATION 

· Removed sod around irrigation heads where saturated soil is in preparation of repair (likely loose swing joint).

· Irrigation around #12 green off, possible leak. Maybe contributing to bunker damage.

· Broken irrigation line practice facility. Removed soil to find pipe, cracked pvc fitting.

· Irrigation used course and maintenance facility for washing – OCT. 61,760. (SEPT – 1,047,866).

· October water replenishment from municipal source; meter reading 11/1 – 104417 – no change.


OTHER / EQUIPMENT 

· No major equipment issues. Preparing equipment for next season.

· Observing increased maintenance and repair items on aging equipment.


WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station)

· Mean Avg Temp. 52 (11’ less last month) – Max Temp. 78 (10/25) – Min Temp. 30 (10/12).

· Precipitation measured on site 6.61” (11 separate days)

· Complete course frost event Saturday 10/13. Play resumed after 9:30am.


NEXT MONTH (November) 

· Final mowing of all turf areas and debris cleanup.

· Application of granular fertilizer to roughs and fairways.

· Application of fungicide to all bentgrass areas, 2 split application on greens, tees and fairways.

· Finial granular fertilizer application on greens.

· Sand topdressing of Tees, Approaches and greens.

· Irrigation system air blow out November 20-21st.

Year End Report 2012 (FISCAL)

GOLF MAINTENANCE AND AGRONOMY 

2012 YEAR END 

· Golf Maintenance and Agronomy for Seneca Hickory Stick Golf for 2012 started abruptly with the golf course opening for play Saturday, March 11th with a high temperature of 55 degrees. The welcomed early start to the golf and growing season was prompted by a mild winter, near record warm temperatures and below average snow fall which contributed to the 4th warmest winter on record in the lower 48 states.

In general, the golf course appeared to overwinter well with minimal disease signs and other damage (notably bird debris apparent on #15-16, & 9/18). Good coverage and uniform turfgrass on fairways, weakness on #3 fairway near green and #17 from 150 yards toward green. Both areas have major choke points with limited alternatives for traffic control. Greens where covered with a permeable plastic cover, presumed strategy of protecting surface from wind desiccation and earlier spring green-up. Signification quantity of ball marks on greens and unfilled divots on tees and fairways associated with late season / winter golf. With high clay soils and excess thatch development, spring conditions where soft under foot with excess moisture near the surface. Additionally, high potential for soil compaction from vehicle traffic present long periods of time after precipitation.

No signification issues with soil and water tests results, slightly high soil pH, and low organic material in greens and tee root zone mix normal of USGA type. Low water clarity from soil erosion , weed development (water milfoil, duck weed and cattails) in most ponds, and algae presence in shallow water edges.

Some concerns on first observation of the course; (1) Early putting green development with green leaf tissue while temperatures remained below freezing and development of surface algae especially in low lying areas. (2) Excess thatch development in bentgrass turf throughout the course, particularly on greens #1-9/18 (Green #10-17 are newer with different characteristics and generally firmer with less excess moisture), additionally slight layering in the soil profile associated with inconsistent sand topdressing and use of granular fertilizer, most likely organic fertilizer material that take longer to break down creating a black layer near the surface and/or use of sulfur base products contributing to anaerobic soil conditions . Greens appear to have a soil amendment added to them after grow-in(from a process call “drill and fill”), a product named Profile to enhance moisture control, interpretation of its use relating to excess moisture, possibly from greens construction methods and materials and/or drainage failure. (3) Weak development of bluegrass/ryegrass/fescue roughs with contamination of bentgrass throughout. Development of rough weakest in areas of inconsistent summer moisture and weak irrigation coverage and high vehicle traffic. (4) Irrigation heads inconsistent with surrounding grades creating unreliable coverage and potential damage to and from mowing equipment. (5) Water features are a signification design element, pond banks with major soil erosion will create major structural damage to greens complexes including #3, 4, 9/18, 10, 15, & 16.

· As the golf season progressed, above average temperatures and below normal precipitation played an important role in maintenance and agronomic activities. Alternatively, irrigation usage was slightly strained beginning in May through August. Peak irrigation usage occurred in July with 13.5 million gallons use on the course.

With different water requirements for bentgrass fairways/tee versus bluegrass/ryegrass roughs, balancing between over and under watering become slightly problematic at higher temperatures. Generally error on slight overwatering practices based on soil conditions. Understanding high clay soils become impractical in the golf course setting to rehydrate after soil moisture draw down occurs with consistent warm temperatures, regular irrigation is required. Generally, the bengrass fairways performed well under this regiment, while roughs were inconsistent with irrigation limited in most areas. An additional strategy utilized this past year to reduce overwatering fairways was implementation of part circle irrigation heads that only watered roughs. Used limited in areas of weakest coverage.

Furthermore, implemented irrigation strategies for greens management and to a smaller extent the entire golf course, where deep and infrequent watering, promoting healthier turfgrass where deeper rooting occurs and consistent playing conditions are maintained longer. Furthermore, reducing traffic damage and incidents of disease pressure when limiting excess surface moisture on greens.

Started identifying and replacing full circle irrigation heads with part circle heads. Focusing on Green and Tee surrounds as part of a larger initiative to reduce managed turfgrass in out of play areas. These turf areas of reduced management identified this past spring account for 11.4 acres. When project is complete, significant saving in labor, water and electricity will be realized. While there are deduction in inputs with these reduced managed areas, additionally they frame each hole creating greater contrast and texture.


· Focused attention on immediate playability and visual presentation going into the golfing season. Implementation fundamental practices from professional presentation (straightforward mowing patterns, and consistent quality daily setup), and core cultural practices including; water management, fertility and plant protectant strategies, sand topdressing programs, and appropriate mechanical activities including rolling, verticuting and aerification.

(1) Implemented consistent daily setup; changing pin locations based on level of play, moving tee markers and filling tee divots daily, cleaning comfort stations daily and filling water coolers consistently. (2) Trained staff to mow specific mowing patterns throughout the course, using the mowing lines to accent visually while limiting the distraction. (3) Arranged practice facility organization including practice tee setup and utilization, target green and fairway establishment. Practice facility visually representing golf course with similar presentation and conditions. (4) Setup fertility program on all turfgrass areas, notably liquid spray program on all bentgrass turf areas utilizing soluble nitrogen to control consistent growth and color. Frequency with greens spray program varied from 7-10 day, while tees, approaches, and fairways frequency between 14-21 days. Furthermore, realized efficiency, and reduced environmental impact through rough fertilization by walker spreaders. Limiting waste and environmental impact with runoff to non target. (5) Introduced consistent growth regulator program on all bentgrass areas, accomplishing reliable growth and eliminating excess grass clippings. Additionally, promoted bentgrass competitive growth advantage over poa annua encroachment with growth regulator applications. (6) Accomplished consistent sand topdressing program for greens, tees and approaches with application scheduled twice monthly. (7) Trimmed bunker slopes to improve playability and visual appeal while leaving tall grass accents on high side, visually denoting were bunkers are. (8) Focused attention on Clubhouse entryway presentation, and reducing managed turf, mirroring style on course. (9) Course water feature cleanup, cutting down all cattail in sight line of hole and/or blocking view of water edge. Throughout the season utilized resources to trim down to water level, with this strategy weaken the plant to the point where it will not survive.

· Mid season and summer months continued the similar trend from earlier in the year, above normal temperatures with below seasonal normal precipitation. With site specific environmental surroundings; clay soils, bentgrass turf, tree lined areas with low air flow and high golfer demand, drier is better. When we control the moisture, we control the playing conditions generally. Natural rainfall certainly assists in providing consistent soil moisture and replenishes soil moisture reserves, but can be a destructive especially in high clay soils. In general, turf conditions were satisfactory and met universal expectations of guests. Continued to address greens conditions (ball marks / excess surface moisture) and ball roll distance both need attention as high demand and difficult summer conditions will be the norm.

Continued to train and coach staff members on best practices and procedures that match the expectation of our guests. Focused resources on daily preparation, quality versus quantity, and accomplishing objectives right the first time, continues to be a priority. Organizing key priorities for success, where major output is devoted to the morning hours prior to guest arriving and minimizing our interaction with guest throughout the day.

Considerable push back from staff, especially those entrenched in past habits, and psychologically not accustomed to high level of details, instructions, and personal accountability. Management objective in detailing instructions even on basis tasks, to prevent mistakes and communicating clearly as many tasks area perform fundamentally different from past experiences. Continuing to adjust and adapt to individual needs of staff members and continuing to promote a professional work environment balancing our high standards.

· As the summer golfing season closed it parallels the end of the growing season as well. During this transition period where guest numbers decline and agronomic activities increase, a balancing act occurs with daily setup needs versus devoting resources to cultural practices in preparation for the next golfing and growing season.

Course conditions continued to be stable with cooler temperatures and timely precipitation. Growth and development of turfgrass is near its peak in late August through September with October weather generally promoting optimal root growth. We observed minor damage from dollar spot fungus on approaches and fairways but repaired itself as cooler temperatures arrived. In general, minimal disease pressure this past season, corresponding to a drier summer.

Greens performed well most of the season, but late August symptoms associated with high traffic, excess moisture from rainfall, high humility, dew points and low air movement (greens #2, 5, 6, 11, & 13) presented in the form of thinning of turfgrass and algae development in low areas and high use pin locations. An application of fungicide, light verticut and sand topdressing relieved the sign, eliminating the algae and promoting recovery.

Additional cultural practices completed during this period include; (1) aggressive verticutting down to 3/8” on greens removing significant quantity of organic material and replacing with sand. (2) Core aerified with ½” tines #11 green and part of #13 green, these areas represented our weakest surfaces, where #11 green environment lack good airmovement requiring site specific management (less irrigation more hand watering, additional fungicide applications and possibility raised mowing heights) #13 green had thin/weak area on its swale where it first dries out creating weak turf from inconsistent moisture. (3) Core aerifing all collars and approaches using ½” tines. (4) Core aerifiing all tees with ¾” tines and vericutting down to a depth of 1” removing thatch material. As organic material is removed, firmer tee surface, more effective fungicide and nutrient utilization, and increase moisture control. (5) Core aerify weak fairway and high traffic areas, we are having difficulty with removing a core as soil conditions remain very firm. As soaking precipitation occurs we will continue to aerify.

· In conclusion, the past golfing and growing season was rewarding in many ways, from adapting and applying core fundamental practices to implementing agronomic principles to managing a diverse team and environment. We continue to strive for precision in all that we do, but temper those expectations with the understanding that golf course management and agronomy is an artfully endeavor with scientific requirements.