stimpmeter today

Greens were stimped at 11:30 a.m. rolling 9.2 feet

Monthly update

This list is the cultural praactices that were implemented on our greens for the month of June. 1.Verticut- 9 times 2.Topdress- 3 times 3.Growth regulator- 3 times 4.Venting- 1 time 5.Roll- 8 times

Fairway conditions update

We are in the sixth year of not overseeding the golf course fairways. The plan was that by not overseeding the fairways we would have a better stand of warm season grass in the summer that when dormat would give us a playing surface until the grasses start growing again in spring. Although this has worked to some extent, we still have clumps of poa and rye grass that are surviving and causing unsightly fairways and bad lies. An example would be north facing slopes, low areas, and poor drainage. All of these areas have cooler temps and retain more water that allows the grass to survive even when it is hot. This year we have a list of four practices that are to be implemented to improve our playing conditions: 1. Fairway fertilization will be increased to a monthly foliar application and height of the fairways will progressivly increase throughout the summer. 2. Aerifcation will be increased to relieve golf car compaction where thin areas of turf are. 3. A more agressive traffic control system will be implemented to help improve bare and or thin areas. 4. Applications of "Revolver", a chemical used to take out poa and rye grass in warm season grasses will be sprayed as needed. Last year there was a 50% success rate but had an affect on kikuyu grass that stunted its growth as well as stressed the plant to the point of a yellow discoloration. Going forward the plan is to stick with the plan listed above. Bottom line for improvement: 1. A more uniform turf in the fairways year round 2. Ability to use less water 3. Less fertility 4. More resistince to golf car traffic damage Lets face it where in a warm season climate that has a better success rate of promoting warm season grasses year round.

quad tining, venting

As we approach the summer months there is a significant amount of growth even on our greens. Knowing that it is necessary for more watering, more fertility, etc. This means that there is more compaction and a "barrier" if you will that does not allow for water infiltration at a good rate to get to our grass root zone. So what we do from June thru September is called a quad tine, or venting the greens to allow them to breath and have more of a chance to uptake the water and nutrients that they need to survive thru the hot summer months. Its about a two day process for us from start to finish. We first mow, then quad tine, then roll. As you probably notice the greens become a bit more soft. Also with opening up holes into the green with warmer temps means more chance for air to dry out the sides of the holes. We have had to water the greens enough for them to stay hydrated and by this weekend the firmness and tightness that you have seen in weeks past will be back to normal. Are greens were stimped at 9.6 at precisely 1:00 this afternoon.