January Update

This week was not a good week for tree work due to the warm and wet weather conditions, although Greenwood was able to work on Monday at the 8th green and the right side of 5 fairway. I took advantage of a plant nutrient seminar at Forsgate Country Club on Tuesday which was very helpful in fine tuning our nutrient goals for the upcoming season. The seminar had a few different speakers that spoke on the technical aspects of nutrient management as well as the new Phosporus ban in New Jersey and how it applies to golf courses. The final speaker was Paul Latshaw, the Director of Grounds for Murfield Village in Ohio. Paul spoke about working for Mr. Nicklaus and preparing for the Memorial Tournament every year. Madison will not be hosting a PGA tour event in the near future but some of the unique grooming and renovation techniques that Paul spoke about can be adapted to our club in the form of more efficient aeration and supervision of golf course construction projects. I have not been the only staff member that has been busy, our mechanic Mike has been working on the equipment to get it ready for the upcoming season. Mike will be changing fluids and belts, grinding all the reels and bedknives, as well as some more involved repair jobs to ensure a trouble free start to the 2012 season.



Winter Maintenance of Vehicles

Old 16th Hole Murfield Village

New 16th Hole Murfield Village

First Time

Since I have been at Madison and doing our annual winter tree maintenance we have never used a crane in that process, until today. We were fortunate to have two of Greenwood's crews here today working on separate areas of the course. A crane was used to remove some hard to access trees along the cart path leading from the 7th Blue tee to Green Village Road. The work is going well and tomorrow should be another productive day but the weather for next week looks warm and wet. I will keep everyone posted here on the blog with the current conditions on the course and status of our winter projects.

View from 7 Blue Tee

View from 8 Tee

I will be taking in all the flagsticks from the golf course today in preparation for the snow as the sleigh riders like to take them as souvenirs. I will put them back out next week when the weather changes.

Tree Work cont.

Due to the change in weather and threat of rain later this morning I decided to have to tree crew work off the cart path behind the 6th green. The work at 6 green and 7 tee will allow more morning sunlight on the rear portion of the 6th green as well as additional afternoon sunlight. We will return to the area around 5 green later in the week when temperatures are colder allowing access without damage.

Removing oak for increased sunlight in the afternoon

Tree Work



Removing oaks on the right of 5 fairway increasing the length of morning sunlight to the 5th green



Clearing grove of trees behind 5 green for better air movement

Greenwood is starting our winter tree work as well as storm damage pruning today. The frozen ground has given us great access to the course. We are starting behind 5 green and working down the 5th fairway towards the tee.

Annual Meeting

Just a reminder that the Annual Meeting is tomorrow morning at 9:30AM at St. Vincent's.