Course Update

Well this weather combination is about as bad as it gets for the golf course, frequent thunderstorms and hot humid weather lead to root loss and disease outbreaks. The golf course received another .50 inch of rain yesterday during a day that reached 92 degrees. So far the golf course is holding its own and looking good but we are doing things to keep it that way. The greens that hold the most water were vented on Wednesday immediately following the Women's Member Guest then doubled rolled to smooth them out. The fan has been running on the 5th green for the entire week, the greens were sprayed for the disease summer patch, and treated with a calcium/silica product that will buffer the sodium in our irrigation water and help strengthen the turf to help with heat stress.

Venting Greens Before We Rolled

The crew was treated to a BBQ on Wednesday for lunch by Mr. Joe Verbaro who not only purchased a charcoal grill for the greens department, supplied all the food, soda, and water but was also the smiling chef behind the grill. The pro shop staff even snuck down to the maintenance building for a little lunch as well. The staff really appreciated the BBQ as did I and we thank Mr. Verbaro for his time and generosity.

Mr. Verbaro the Chef

Fixing ball marks especially during the wet weather is very important to the health of the greens and the playability of the golf course. The following is from USGA:

Experts Explain: Ball Mark Repair Tools

Posted: 3/11/2013

By USGA Green Section

What is the best tool for repairing ball marks?

  

Ball marks vary in shape and severity so there is no one best tool. In fact, virtually any pointed tool will work as long as the proper method of repair is performed. This has even been the focus of several research projects in recent years where multiple repair tools were evaluated. Each study concluded that no particular repair tool was significantly better than any other when used correctly. 

With the understanding that it is the method, not the tool that is most critical to restoring a smooth surface and allowing turf to heal quickly, let’s address the keys to success for this important area of golfer etiquette. Begin by inserting the repair tool into the soil behind the rear of the ball mark at about a 45-degree angle. Gently pull the top of the tool toward the center. Continue working around the ball mark, gently stretching the surrounding turf toward the center until the indentation is filled in. Less is generally more when it comes to ball mark repair, so this should be done just three or four times; anything more generally adds injury to the already damaged turf. Use your putter or foot to tamp down the repaired area to make it smooth and level with the rest of the green. Avoid prying actions that tear live roots and bring soil to the putting surface. Doing so causes significant damage and greatly slows recovery.