GOLF MAINTENANCE AND AGRONOMY
NOVEMBER 2012
GENERAL
· November commenced as the remnants of Hurricane Sandy mixed with a cold front for the northwest, setting the stage for high winds and significant precipitation. With saturated soils, leave and debris cleanup was placed on hold, waiting for firmer soil conditions. Did not need to wait long as unseasonably warm and windy condition followed creating firmer soil conditions.
· Second and third weeks of the month brought consecutive heavy morning frost with cool sunny afternoons enabling completion of many agronomic and maintenance activities. As ambient air temperatures trend lower, leave tissue growth slows, caution with respect to turfgrass wear tolerance is prudent.
· Overall month of November was very productive with consistent and predictable temperatures and minimal precipitation events. Turf conditions remain relatively consistent and healthy. Some disease pressure signs, mainly dollar spot (small tan spots) on fairways are present but represent no concern. We continue to observer significant ball mark pressure on greens from inattentive repair and unfilled divots continuing to populate fairways. The immense task of ball mark and divot repair continues to present challenges with balancing public etiquette and maintenance protocols. Will continue to address with additional programs allocating resources to improve consistent course conditions relative to expectations.
· This month concludes budgeted hourly employees. Observation, labor hour utilization may be more beneficial during late season (October and November) with minimal interaction with guest, efficiency increase. Resources used to repair greens, divots, capital projects, etc.
AGRONOMY
· Applied granular fertilizer to all roughs with anticipated benefits regarding enhanced root development and spring green up. With soil temperatures ideal for root development, supplemental nutrient applications particularly beneficial. Continuing application procedure using rotary push type spreaders, eliminating majority of the waste seen with use of larger application equipment. Additionally, preventing contamination of water features and native tall grass fields.
· Application of granular fertilizer on all tees and fairways with readily available nitrogen for enhanced root development and spring green up. Application made with large capacity rotary spreader.
· Completed fungicide application to all bentgrass areas Greens, Tees, Approaches and Fairways. Using combination of traditional fungicide with a new formulation of mineral oil product call Civitas, a non chemical fungicide that activates the plant defenses defending against fungas. As part of our IPM program, the use of Civitas has reduced our environmental impact while protecting plant health. Additional benefits including enhance visual fall turfgrass color with green pigment in spray solution, protection of wind desiccation, and improved spring green up with green pigment absorbing more light and heat. Mineral oils have been around for many years, Civitas has created a formulation that is more end user friendly.
· Greens fungicide program includes 2 applications at 14-21 day interval using same products for each application. Split application of fungicide to mitigate detrimental effects of traffic following plant protectant applications.
· Sand todressing application to all tee and approaches to increase surface firmness and protection of plant crown from wind desiccation. Continuing to address excess moisture with tees, with our activities masking the underline issues with proper subsurface drainage.
· Continued sand topdressing of cart path edges, enhancing growing conditions and promoting consistent turf and enhanced tolerance to traffic.
MAINTENANCE
· Completed final mowing of all turfgrass areas on Sunday November 11. Final mowing performed to ensure proper plant height to minimize disease development.
· Performed second mowing of native tall grass fields creating a uniform presentation and mulching excess leaf debris.
· Devoted significant resources to leaf removal employing Buffalo blower and mechanical sweeper. Need to evaluate fall cleanup procedures, and testing leaf and debris vacuum options.
· Seed fescue on bunker slopes damaged by insects.
· Installed orange fence material along water features and greens where historically observed bird population congregating and creating unsanitary conditions. Will continue to evaluate effectiveness.
· Removed large dead tree adjacent to #5 fairway. Scheduling additional removal on #11 & 12 if time permits.
· Moved weather station equipment from #15 tee to maintenance facility. Anticipate new placement near maintenance facility office. Will need to acquire new data collection software from manufacture.
IRRIGATION
· Repaired irrigation leak on practice facility floor and #13 fairway. Both cracked pipe at tee.
· Turned off irrigation pumpstation Thursday November 15th after completing fungicide applications. Opened system to drain remaining water prior to air compressor arrival.
· Irrigation blow-out started Tuesday November 20th with 1300 cfm air compressor rental. Completed process on Wednesday morning. Process slowed by presence of golfing guests.
· Pumpstation contractor on sight during irrigation blow-out, finalizing winterization of pumpstation equipment motors and pumps.
· Irrigation used course and maintenance facility for washing – NOV. 10,581. (OCT – 61,760).
· November water replenishment from municipal source; meter reading 12/1 – 104417 – no change.
OTHER / EQUIPMENT
· No major equipment issues. Preparing equipment for next season.
· Observing increased maintenance and repair items on aging equipment. We will prepare detailed inventory of equipment and relationship to condition with anticipated life expectancy.
· Repaired exterior soffit above overhead door, reattaching components. Likely continue to see soffit failure resulting from missing soffit venting.
· Installed plastic curtain, separating heated mechanical area from cold equipment storage space. Anticipate reduced gas and electrical cost of the winter months.
WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station)
· Mean Avg Temp 38 (14’ less last month) – Max Temp 69 (11/12) – Min Temp 21 (11/8).
· Precipitation measured on site 0.55” ( 2+ separate days)
· First measurable snow accumulation 11/30 1”+.
NEXT MONTH (DECEMBER)
· Complete second fungicide application on greens and sand topdressing.
· Continue equipment repair and maintenance in preparation for next growing season.
· Continue to evaluation and prepare agronomic and maintenance programs for next growing season. Focusing on efficiency of staff and resources.
· Applied granular fertilizer to all roughs with anticipated benefits regarding enhanced root development and spring green up. With soil temperatures ideal for root development, supplemental nutrient applications particularly beneficial. Continuing application procedure using rotary push type spreaders, eliminating majority of the waste seen with use of larger application equipment. Additionally, preventing contamination of water features and native tall grass fields.
· Application of granular fertilizer on all tees and fairways with readily available nitrogen for enhanced root development and spring green up. Application made with large capacity rotary spreader.
· Completed fungicide application to all bentgrass areas Greens, Tees, Approaches and Fairways. Using combination of traditional fungicide with a new formulation of mineral oil product call Civitas, a non chemical fungicide that activates the plant defenses defending against fungas. As part of our IPM program, the use of Civitas has reduced our environmental impact while protecting plant health. Additional benefits including enhance visual fall turfgrass color with green pigment in spray solution, protection of wind desiccation, and improved spring green up with green pigment absorbing more light and heat. Mineral oils have been around for many years, Civitas has created a formulation that is more end user friendly.
· Greens fungicide program includes 2 applications at 14-21 day interval using same products for each application. Split application of fungicide to mitigate detrimental effects of traffic following plant protectant applications.
· Sand todressing application to all tee and approaches to increase surface firmness and protection of plant crown from wind desiccation. Continuing to address excess moisture with tees, with our activities masking the underline issues with proper subsurface drainage.
· Continued sand topdressing of cart path edges, enhancing growing conditions and promoting consistent turf and enhanced tolerance to traffic.
MAINTENANCE
· Completed final mowing of all turfgrass areas on Sunday November 11. Final mowing performed to ensure proper plant height to minimize disease development.
· Performed second mowing of native tall grass fields creating a uniform presentation and mulching excess leaf debris.
· Devoted significant resources to leaf removal employing Buffalo blower and mechanical sweeper. Need to evaluate fall cleanup procedures, and testing leaf and debris vacuum options.
· Seed fescue on bunker slopes damaged by insects.
· Installed orange fence material along water features and greens where historically observed bird population congregating and creating unsanitary conditions. Will continue to evaluate effectiveness.
· Removed large dead tree adjacent to #5 fairway. Scheduling additional removal on #11 & 12 if time permits.
· Moved weather station equipment from #15 tee to maintenance facility. Anticipate new placement near maintenance facility office. Will need to acquire new data collection software from manufacture.
IRRIGATION
· Repaired irrigation leak on practice facility floor and #13 fairway. Both cracked pipe at tee.
· Turned off irrigation pumpstation Thursday November 15th after completing fungicide applications. Opened system to drain remaining water prior to air compressor arrival.
· Irrigation blow-out started Tuesday November 20th with 1300 cfm air compressor rental. Completed process on Wednesday morning. Process slowed by presence of golfing guests.
· Pumpstation contractor on sight during irrigation blow-out, finalizing winterization of pumpstation equipment motors and pumps.
· Irrigation used course and maintenance facility for washing – NOV. 10,581. (OCT – 61,760).
· November water replenishment from municipal source; meter reading 12/1 – 104417 – no change.
OTHER / EQUIPMENT
· No major equipment issues. Preparing equipment for next season.
· Observing increased maintenance and repair items on aging equipment. We will prepare detailed inventory of equipment and relationship to condition with anticipated life expectancy.
· Repaired exterior soffit above overhead door, reattaching components. Likely continue to see soffit failure resulting from missing soffit venting.
· Installed plastic curtain, separating heated mechanical area from cold equipment storage space. Anticipate reduced gas and electrical cost of the winter months.
WEATHER (as recorded from Niagara Falls weather station)
· Mean Avg Temp 38 (14’ less last month) – Max Temp 69 (11/12) – Min Temp 21 (11/8).
· Precipitation measured on site 0.55” ( 2+ separate days)
· First measurable snow accumulation 11/30 1”+.
NEXT MONTH (DECEMBER)
· Complete second fungicide application on greens and sand topdressing.
· Continue equipment repair and maintenance in preparation for next growing season.
· Continue to evaluation and prepare agronomic and maintenance programs for next growing season. Focusing on efficiency of staff and resources.
