Golf Industry Show

The current condition of the golf course remains the same as it has for the past 5 weeks, covered in snow. Yesterday I dug through the snow on the greens and I am happy to report a very minimal slushy ice layer on some greens and zero ice layer on other greens. This weeks weather is going to complicate things with warm weather and rain switching back to cold and snow all in 48 hours. I will continue to monitor the snow pack for ice at the greens surface.

I had the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry Show last week in San Antonio, Texas. The show consists of two parts, educational seminars and the largest turf related trade show in the world. This years conference was attended by close to 13,000 individuals and exhibitors. I focused my seminars for this years conference on bunkers, turf fertility, and technology. My seminar on bunkers was very important considering many of our capital improvements are related to bunker renovations. I was able to learn about many different construction and liner methods along with maintenance practices. Turf fertility is a focus of mine for 2015 to reduce spending while increasing the health of the turf and provide great surfaces. As a result of this seminar we will be sending samples of our clippings from greens on a bi-weekly basis to a lab for analysis. I will only provide nutrients based on what is lacking in the turf plant itself, very exciting technology. Continuing on the technology front I took a seminar focusing on using Google drive and tablets in the field to help compile data ranging from stimpmeter readings, fuel consumption, and labor tracking. The trade show was over 120,000 sq ft filled with every item revolving around the turf industry. I meet with vendors and manufactures to discuss and view upcoming capital equipment purchases as well as new trends in the industry especially with irrigation.

Here is a clip from morning drive on the golf channel about the golf industry show http://www.golfchannel.com/media/sights-and-sounds-golf-industry-show/

Winter Update - February 2015

14 days, that's how long the turf has been covered by snow so far this season which is a far cry from the over 35 days of snow cover we had at this time last year. The snow is good in that it protects the turf plants from larger temperature swings especially the nights that have been in the single digits. We have three greens with sensors located in the soil monitoring temperature, moisture, and salinity. These sensors are relied upon much more during the growing season but its interesting to check them during the winter months, over the past 10 days the soil temperature has only fluctuated 2 degrees between day and night. The downside of snow cover, as many courses in our area experienced last year, is damage from ice. At the 40 day mark of snow cover I will begin to clear low areas of greens and take a sample of the turf to monitor its health. If we have snow melt earlier it will be important to move any thawed water off the greens before they can re-freeze. Please read this USGA update for more info: http://www.usga.org/course_care/New_regional_updates/northeast/Déjà-vu-All-Over-Again----January-2015/

Every two years Golf Course Industry magazine surveys all the golf courses in the country and compiles a very good breakdown of concerns in the industry. The following link is an electronic copy of that issue: http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/digital/201501/index.html  I urge you to read the State of Industry report that details how clubs in our region and other region are dealing with membership, projects, budgets, etc

Greens Covers

The crew returned yesterday to install the covers on 7 and 8 greens to protect them from possible sleigh rider damage. In previous years we covered 5 and 8 greens but following last years long winter the only damage we suffered was to the 7th green from sleigh riders. The 5th green receives more sun now that the trees along the right-side have been removed. Covers also provide an added benefit protecting the turf from wind desiccation, erosion, frost and winter kill. Please do not walk on or play to the greens that are covered these greens are closed to all play and members until the covers are removed regardless of the temperature.

We have begun to overhaul the equipment in the shop by generating work orders for each piece of equipment and completing these services in logical order to free up room in the shop for service on our larger pieces of equipment. We have 18 individual reels to disassemble, make repairs, reassemble, and grind along with all of the traction units including filters, brakes, tire repair, etc. We are very fortunate to have one of the best equipment managers in the business that works for the club on a part-time basis, Mike brings over 25 years of experience from very high profile clubs to MGC.

I would to thank all of the members that contributed to the holiday fund this year as I distributed the checks to the crew yesterday and they were really blown away by the generosity of the members as was I. The crew and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

7 Green Covered for the Winter

USGA Winter Prep Update

Last Minute Winter Preparations

By Adam Moeller, agronomist, Northeast Region
December 2, 2014

Golfers and superintendents are hoping to avoid a repeat of the severe winter injury that was widespread across the region last year.

Last minute winter preparations are underway at many golf courses throughout the Northeast Region. Severe winter injury occurred at many courses last year and everyone hopes a reoccurrence can be avoided. The Green Section Record articles The Greatest Challenge and Winter Damage are excellent references to learn about winter injury mechanisms and best management practices for prevention of winter injury.
Courses have scaled back mowing operations dramatically to save on labor and improve turf health as winter draws closer. Raising the putting green mowing height is a key factor in reducing winter injury potential. Many superintendents have raised their putting green mowing height to 0.150 inches or more (variable based on mower type and setup) to help reduce winter injury damage potential. Although the putting conditions may be altered, this program is in the best interest of the turf for next year.
Temporary greens have been installed in approaches at facilities that remain open throughout the winter. Golfers may not enjoy temporary greens, but they protect the turf on the putting greens so their use is encouraged. Any turf damage associated with playing on slow or non-growing putting greens is cumulative, and it may not be easy or fast to repair next season.
Winter injury is more severe on shaded turf; so many courses have removed trees that cast shade on putting greens. Trees may be important to some golfers, but when they create shade on putting greens they can cause severe turf decline. Donald Ross, famed golf course architect of Pinehurst and many other golf courses around the world said it best. “As beautiful as trees are, and as fond as you and I are of them, we must not allow our sentiments to crowd out the real intent of a golf course, that of providing fair playing conditions. If it in any way interferes with a properly played stroke, I think the tree is an unfair hazard and should not be allowed to stand.”
The elimination of collar damns or areas where surface drainage is blocked is another late season program being executed at many courses. If melting snow or ice cannot flow off the putting green, crown hydration injury potential is increased significantly. Correcting surface drainage problems could be an easy fix with a sod cutter and a digital level. In some cases however, a major facelift may be necessary to recontour the putting green so water can drain off rapidly.
Source: Adam Moeller (amoeller@usga.org)

Happy Thanksgiving

The greens staff would like to wish all the members a happy Thanksgiving as this week is the staff's last week until Spring. I also want to thank my crew for a great job this season especially with all the in-house projects we completed.

In preparation for winter and the looming Thanksgiving storm the greens were put to bed this week with a Bayonett solid tine aeration to help drain surface water from rain and snow melt, snow mold plant protectant application, and another light topdressing helping insulate the crown of the plant. We have been able to build a nice layer of sand around the crown of the plant going into the winter. We accomplished this in a different manner this season using multiple light applications of sand starting at Halloween instead of one heavier application at Thanksgiving. So far I am happy with the results but we shall see in the spring. Flagsticks have been removed on certain greens to prevent sleigh riders from stealing them over the weekend. Covers will be placed on 7 and 8 greens sometime in December to protect them from sleigh rider damage. Placing the covers out to early with forecast temperatures in the 50's could cause the turf to break dormancy allowing for easy winter death.

Bayonett Tine Aeration - Winter Prep

Topdressing Sand on Greens at 10x zoom using Macroscope

All About Irrigation

The last few weeks we have been installing new irrigation primarily in rough areas that have previously lacked water. We completed 5 new areas of irrigation this fall and we did all of the work in-house.

New Irrigation

• 6 new heads along the right rough of #5 from 200 yards to 140 yards
• 5 new heads along the right rough of #5 from 80 yards up to the approach
• 5 new heads along the right rough of #6 from 100 yards up to the approach
• 1 new head on the hill in front of 4 White tee between 4 Green Tee
• 1 new head between #2 fairway bunker and #3 fairway

These upgrades will provide consistent rough and increased tolerance of the turf to cart traffic while providing aesthetically pleasing turf.

As quickly as we had these new areas of irrigation up and running we had to blow out the irrigation system this week and have the pump houses winterized in preparation for the cold temperatures coming over the weekend. Our pump houses are not heated and have expensive equipment inside that can be damaged by freezing temperatures so the forecast dictates when we have to shut down for the season.

Sod Removal for Irrigation

Trenched Lines for Irrigation

Finished Product

Irrigation Blow-Out

USGA Update on Topdressing Sand

Too Easy To Take For Granted

By Jim Skorulski, senior agronomist, Northeast Region
October 28, 2014

Placing a small sample of your topdressing sand next to a ruler on a scanner can give you some great insight into what your sand looks like. This sample looks like it may contain too high a percentage of fine particles and is worth submitting to an accredited lab for analysis.

What can be applied to every playing surface to help protect turfgrass plants, improve drainage, potentially reduce disease and improve playing quality? The answer is sand topdressing. Sand topdressing continues to be one of the most important cultural practices in golf course management. Topdressing involves applying a uniform layer of sand – or a mixture of sand and organic matter – over turf surfaces. The sand applications help modify soils, dilute organic matter, smooth surfaces and protect turfgrass plants from wear, mowing injury and wind desiccation. Light and frequent topdressing promotes surface uniformity, smoother and faster ball roll, and firmer surfaces that will accommodate a well hit shot.
Turf managers understand the importance of topdressing. The objective of light, frequent topdressing is to match the amount of sand being applied to the growth rate of the turf. Therefore, rates and timing of topdressing applications should be adjusted as turf growth varies throughout the season. Typically, light topdressing used on greens will apply approximately 0.005 to 0.020 inch of sand to the putting surface, or 0.5 to 2.0 cubic feet per 1,000 square feet. Heavier applications of sand are common when paired with cultivation practices or sometimes late in the season when golf courses are closed. Turf managers with limited staff and budgets or busy golf calendars have difficulty keeping up with a regular topdressing program. Furthermore, many golfers do not fully understand the benefits provided by topdressing and find it annoying. However, it is important to understand that topdressing has immediate and cumulative effects that help produce desirable playing conditions.
The quality of sand used in a topdressing program is critical, because sand is the building block – or foundation – of the playing surface. Poor-quality sand or sand that varies widely from materials used previously can have a disastrous impact on soil physical properties. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the sand selected for topdressing to make sure it meets recommendations for particle size and other physical characteristics. Good sand suppliers understand the value of physical testing for producing a high-quality product, but it is important for the end user to have their sand tested regularly as well. Sands mined out of a pit can and do vary, so annually testing a sample from a sand pile makes sense. A simple particle-size test will make sure that the sand delivered to your site matches, or falls very close to, specifications promised by the supplier. The cost of a particle-size analysis is a small price to pay to protect your number one asset. Click here for a list of Accredited Physical Soil-Testing Laboratories. The practice of sand topdressing and the specific sand used to topdress are important parts of the overall maintenance program that cannot be taken for granted.
Managers are, or soon will be, making the last topdressing applications of the season. This is a good time to evaluate this season’s topdressing program and begin planning for next year. Consider having an undisturbed soil core from a green evaluated by an accredited physical soil-testing laboratory if you have not yet done so. The resulting data will help in planning next season’s topdressing and cultivation practices and will be useful for evaluating the success of your program. And of course, plan to get that sand tested.
Source: Jim Skorulski (jskorulski@usga.org)