Branch on number 5

This branch on 5 will be cleaned up next week.

Number 10 green underwater

We will be on all temporary greens through Christmas.

still snow covered

Snow is melting. However thwe course and greens will still need to thaw and drain.This will take some time before we can reopen.

Course conditions

The snow will melt this weekend, but don't expect regular greens. The course must thaw and drain first to be playable.

Merry Christmas

Bryan and Gilberto put the finishing touches on the shop tree.

Winter pin placements

In order to keep greens in play during the winter and preserve primary cupping space for in season we push pin placements toward the edges. Greens speeds are typically slower in the winter and it is a good time to use these unique placements.

Temporary greens

 

Temporary green will be used when regular greens are unplayable due to environmental factors.

Extending post and rail fence

 

Jesus and Gilberto extend the post and rail fence along 7 to the property line.

 

Tubs of calcium ice melt have been placed at entrances and other areas around the clubhouse. 

The course was closed today due to heavy rain, as seen here on 13 approach

Tree work on 3

This ash tree to the right of 3 green had a significant split in the trunk and was in danger of falling into the road.

Getting ready for Christmas

Anne Marie and Arnulfo putting up Christmas lights.

Paul giving a tour of the stream to the Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association.

Fall color on the golf course

Fall color is at its peak this weekend.

Fall leaf cleanup

The crew will be working hard to keep leaves cleaned up off the course for the next several weeks.

A frosty morning

Walking or driving on frost kills grass. That is why we need to wait until all frost melts before we open the course.

Putting green after sand topdressing

All greens should be completed today. Sand will be brushed in afterward.

Justin top dressing greens.

Sand topdressing is sread on greens to help smooth the surface.

The crew aerating the practice area

The practice area and driving range will be closed today.

Course closed for greens aeration

The course will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week for greens aeration.

Dethatching rough between 1 and 18

Arnulfo verti-cuts the rough between 1 and 18 to create a good seed bed.

Aerification on 13 rough

Jesus and Bryan aerify the rough on 13. After the heavy rains this past summer, aerifying is one of the best things we can do for the grass. Aerification relieves compaction, improves gas exchange and increase rooting.

Rough renovation on 7

Here we are slicing the rough in order to dethatch and create better seed to soil contact.

Seeding 3 rough

Bryan seeding # 3 rough after aerification.

Hole # 10

Early morning on the golf course

Tree trunk on 9

The tree trunk to the left of 9 forward tee should blend into the woodline over time. We left arms on the tree to act as perches for birds of prey.

Dead oak on # 9

The dead oak to the left of 9 forward tee will be prunned back to the trunk today. Because of the size and cost of removing the trunk we will leave it for now.

Preparing rough for renovation

We have sprayed a selective herbicide in several areas of rough that at slated for renovation this fall.

Weather and greens performance

4 days of cool dry weather with low humidity has helped to dry and firm the greens.

15 rough

The rough on hole 15 is filling in nicely since being overseeded.

the completed area

Most of the sand will be washed in tomorrow morning. The holes will take a few weeks to fill in. The area will be better off long term from the improved root zone. We will continue to aerate and add sand to this low spot throughout the fall and winter.

Rolling afterward

The area was rolled after the sand was brushed in.

brooming in sand

Sand was brushed into the holes to improve drainage.

Seeding thin spots

Any thin areas due to the wet summer were seeded to creeping bentgrass.

Drainage improvement on 6 green

Today we deep-tine aerated a low portion on # 6 green.

Brushing top dressing

Sand is brushed in by hand. This stands the grass up and works the sand into the canopy.

Sand topdressing on the greens

Sand is applied to the green to smooth the surface and increase firmness.

Renovating rough 15

Justin is verticutting the rough on hole 15 in preparation for overseeding with "turf-type tall fescue.

Renovating 15 rough

Deep-tine aeration is the first step in our rough renovation on hole 15. Next week we plan to core aerate and slit seed in two directions.

Standing water on 13 green

The course is still very wet from this mornings rain and will need several hours of sun to drain down.

Thick rough

Although the rough was cut twice this week it is still thick and growing rapidly.

Greens aeration complete

The deep-tine aeration on greens was completed this morning. All greens are open and playable. I would expect holes to be completely closed by the weekend.

Preparing for hard fescue

Bernardo mows the area between 3 & 6 tee. in preparation for seeding to hard fescue.

Rolling greens

Greens are rolled after aerification, leaving them playable right away.

Deep-tine aeration on greens

 

Here we are using a solid tine to aerate the green to a depth of 6-8". Aeration allows oxygen into the soil and carbon dioxide to leave the soil creating good gas exchange. Compaction is also relieved and root growth is initiated. The greens will be rolled and playable immediately.

14 Fairway

14 fairway during heavy rains today. We can not prevent flooding rains, however the stream will receed once the watershed drains. To date the stream restoration project has performed well and saved the golf course from potentially distructive damage.

13 Green underwater

Flooding of 13 green during heavy rains today. The course will remain closed for the day.

Preparing tall grass area for hard frscue conversion

Justin sprays the tall grass between # 2 and 18 tees with roundup, a non-selcetive herbicide that will kill existing vegitation. The area will be converted to hard fescue in late August.

Goosegrass control on driving range tee

We are testing a new product to cotrol gosegrass. So far results are promising.