2011 Year in Review

This time of year affords me an opportunity to reflect on the past year and analyze what we accomplished and determine what we can improve upon to deliver an even better product in 2012 and for years to come.  This past season for me personally was filled with ups and downs and was a blur at times.  The talk of the spring was the dreadful weather, but once Mother Nature began to cooperate, there was no looking back!  Quilchena experienced some significant personnel changes with the subtraction and addition of some key personnel in the Turf Care department and the restructuring of management throughout the Club.  All in all, I believe 2011 was a success and we are anxiously anticipating an even more successful 2012!

Here are the highlights and lowlights of 2011 in chronological order...

Considering the cold and wet weather we experienced for most of the winter months, the course wintered very well, as you can see in the photo taken in January, and it was looking as though we were off to great start to 2011!

#5 green - Jan. 16, 2011

#9 - Feb. 27, 2011

As we quickly learned, that was not the case.  The 2011 spring weather included snow in February, the wettest March and coldest April on record - not ideal for turf maintenance.  We did take the opportunity at this time to remove some trees along the right side of #4 green to alleviate the ongoing issues with the tree roots out-competing the turf for moisture and nutrients.  These shallow tree roots were also "heaving" the right side of #4 green which resulted in poor ball roll due to areas of bare turf from mower scalping.  The removal of these trees also opened up a spectacular view to the island and north shore!  It's still hard for me to believe that once upon a time it was decided that it was a good idea to plant trees along the west property line, taking away the view that many pay BIG $$$ for!

#4 - our NEW view after the tree removals!

What a difference from 2010 when we were wearing shorts as we hosted the Winter Olympics!  No point in getting upset about the weather as it is the one thing we have absolutely no control over.  Luckily, the snow didn't stick around for long and we had a very small window of decent weather in early March that allowed us to install slit drainage on #18 green.  This new slit drainage allowed us to reopen #18 green, which had been closed for play since mid-November, immediately upon completion of the install.  

#18 green slit drainage installation

The saturated and sometimes frozen course conditions limited us from really kick-starting our routine maintenance and we were forced to devote much of our time to small project work such as restoring cart paths and removing some more of the unsightly cart path extensions from the course.  We also devoted a significant amount of time in the spring maintaining the drainage system.

INSTALLING SPRING... ███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE. Installation failed. 404 error: Season not found. Spring cannot be located.

The end of April also brought the end of Brett Finlayson's tenure here as Assistant Superintendent at Quilchena.  Brett and his German Shepherd, Sam, spent just over 3 years here and he was a big part of raising the maintenance standards and reintroducing the cultural practices back into the maintenance plans.  He was also instrumental in changing the culture of both the crew and the membership - something that is not easy to do!  Brett is now the Superintendent at Arbutus Ridge and in his short time there he has already made a significant impact in the overall conditioning and playability of their course.  Former Horticulturist, Brock Tingey, has since join Brett and Arbutus Ridge and is also making an immediate impact improving the landscape features and gardens throughout their property.  We continue to wish them well over on the island!

The weather didn't improve as much as we would have liked in May, but anything was better than what we dealt with in March and April!  The sun began to shine on a more regular basis and by the end of the month we were finally blessed with the typical beautiful lower mainland weather we've grown accustomed to.  The course had fully recovered from the late April aeration and it was now jam packed on a daily basis with golfers.  We had settled into our routine maintenance program and were focused on delivering exceptional and consistent playing conditions each and every day.

#14 - early summer conditioning

With Brett's and Brock's recent departures from Quilchena, Josh Webb was deservedly promoted to Assistant Superintendent and the search was on for a new Horticulturist and Irrigation Technician.  Not the ideal time of year to be looking to fill these rolls, but we knew we had the ability to attract qualified candidates.  The Irrigation Technician position was filled quickly by Matt Maxey from Blue Devil Golf Club in Calgary.  This was a seamless transition for both Matt and Quilchena as his experience and knowledge allowed him to excel in his new role immediately.  The search for a Horticulturist was now also underway.

As there weren't any construction projects on the golf course this summer, we were able to really focus on the detail work and manicuring of the different playing areas that provided great definition throughout the course.  Much of this detail work is accomplished by hand mowing and edging and does come at a cost.  Staffing levels must be appropriate to provide these conditions on a daily basis.  The photo below was taken on a routine weekday morning and shows just how much goes into prepping the course for play:

9 staff in this pic alone prepping the course for play

As expected, June delivered more ideal weather for both turf maintenance and golf.  What we didn't expect was an anthracnose outbreak on some of our greens.  Our greens previously experienced an anthracnose infection back in the summer of 2008.  Once turf is initially infected by anthracnose, the fungal pathogen is forever present.  It overwinters in the soil and waits for conditions to be just right to rear its ugly head.  Preventative fungicide programs must be in place to keep the pathogen from affecting turf.  Unfortunately, it seems as though our preventative program, which includes only products that have continually proven to be among the best at preventing anthracnose, had failed to keep the pathogen in check.

basal rot anthracnose

The chemical manufacturer from which we purchased the fungicide from was also dumbfounded by the infection.  They provided us some free product from another chemistry class to "clean up" the anthracnose and protect the rest of the turf from becoming infected.  Unfortunately, the worst affected areas required turf replacement.  These areas were stripped and sodded and have rooted nicely.  They will become less and less evident next season.

Things warmed up nicely in July and after almost two full months of searching for a suitable Horticulturist, we finally landed one!  Tara Mansholt, also from Blue Devil Golf Club in Calgary, joined the team.  This was a tough role to fill, especially at the time of year Tara arrived, but she adapted quickly.  She is continuing to improve upon the golf course landscapes and flowerbeds and is eager to instill some new designs and concepts in 2012.

August had arrived and along with it came the 2011 Royale Canadian Junior Girls Championship.  We were very excited to be hosting this event!  It allowed us to showcase the course improvements on a national scale and I must say, I think we delivered!  The preparation that goes into an event such as this is immense.  The course is setup as per the RCGA guidelines and let me tell you, they didn't make it easy on these young women!  The rough was rough and the greens were slick.  You had to have your "A-game" to contend.  It was amazing to witness the shot-making skills of these up and coming young golfers!  Made me realize just how much work my game needs!

"No, we are NOT hosting the US Open!"

With the course setup for the Championship, it took some time to return it to "everyday play" condition.  The rough was so lush and the growth was showing no signs of slowing down!  If I had a nickel for every time I answered a question about the condition of the rough, I'd be retired by now.  Yes it was long, yes it was thick, but remember...it's called ROUGH for a reason!  Trust me, we were doing our darndest to manage it by mowing and mowing and mowing it again.  It was healthy and thriving in the ideal summer conditions.  Healthy turf = less weeds, so lets not get too upset about it.

Our usual end of August aeration went well and the greens were fully recovered in record time.  This is attributed to warm air and soil temperatures, timely fertilizer applications, adequate moisture, smaller diameter aeration tines (on tighter spacing) and ensuring we apply enough topdressing sand to fill the aeration holes.  The greens will ALWAYS heal quicker from the late-August aeration than in the spring due to warmer soil temperatures.  It takes a long time for soil temperatures to warm up in the spring following our wet and cool winters.  Warmer soil temperatures promote growth resulting in a much quicker recovery from aeration.

#2 green 6 days following late-August aeration

Budget constraints forced us to forgo our usual fairway aeration in August and it didn't take long to realize just how important that scheduled aeration was.  Even after minimal rain, we were experience puddling on the fairways.  Some surface water was forming in areas we hadn't seen puddle in years!  It was time to schedule our aeration contractor, Farm-Tek, to complete a deep-tining on fairways to help alleviate this issue.  If we didn't, we'd be experiencing puddling on the fairways all winter long and well into next season.  We struck a great "fall season special" deal with Farm-Tek that afforded us the opportunity to fund this deep-tining with our new fiscal year budget.  I assure you, as long as I'm here at Quilchena, we will not be cutting this much needed practice from the budget again!

We experienced another major loss to our Turf Care team in September.  Mechanic, Cal McGregor, decided to resign as he was relocating to New Zealand to explore other possibilities.  Cal was an integral part of our team here at Quilchena and he played a significant role in the overall conditioning and aesthetics of the course.  I have recently heard from Cal and I'm happy to report that he has settled in nicely down there and he is doing quite well.  We continue to wish him well on this exciting new adventure in his life!

September also brought on the heavy rains we are used to experiencing in the fall and winter.  A little earlier than anticipated, but we were prepared for them by lowering the pond levels to maximize the efficiency of the drainage system.  If pond levels are high, our drainage lines fill and have no place to empty to.  As you can see below, this is what our drainage outlets typically look like during and following heavy rains:

drainage outlet on #3

October turned out to be a decent month with regards to weather.  Not quite as good as the Octobers we've experienced the previous 3 years, but not bad nonetheless.  Much of our time in the fall months is dedicated to leaf mulching, cutting down the rough to brace for the rainy season and other various tasks to prepare the property for winter.  We also completed a few needle-tinings (venting) on the greens to allow them to take a breather and brace for winter too.  Venting proved to be a key component of our maintenance practices this season and we are planning on doing even more venting in 2012 and beyond.  The venting process is a form of aeration that we can do throughout the year with no disruption to play.  As you'll see the effects of the venting are hardly noticeable at the surface, but the benefits below ground are substantial.  It is NOT a form of removing thatch though, so don't think that this means we can move away from traditional core aeration!  It's benefits are short-term and therefore the process must be scheduled routinely to reap the rewards.

#1 green immediately following verti-cutting & venting

Until recently, the winter has been quite mild and dry.  Yes, we have experienced some frosty and even frozen conditions, but considering 2011 is almost history, I think we've been quite luck so far this winter!  Not much to review for November and December, unless that is you want to hear me talk about frost delays and their importance.  Didn't think so.  That's fine with me too, all the information anyone will ever need is archived on this blog.  

Speaking of this blog, I truly hope you've enjoyed reading it just as much as I've enjoyed writing it!  This being my inaugural "blogging year", it's been a great learning experience for me and I certainly plan on continuing to maintain it.  I believe it to be one of the most effective communication resources one can utilize and it's also provided me with an extensive resource to draw information from and to review what has and hasn't worked for us here on the property of Quilchena.  I am constantly visiting other Superintendent blogs to see what they are up to and to find some new ideas to utilize here.  Here is a website I visit on a daily basis that has compiled Superintendent blogs from around the world for anyone to view:

click on image

I am anxious to continue building upon our maintenance practices in 2012 and look forward to hearing feedback from members and guests as you are the driving force behind our efforts!

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Did you know? Vol. 1 - Mowing Heights & Frequency

I'm a big believer that golfers better understand how and why we do what we do if we take the time to EDUCATE them and not simply TELL them what we are doing.  I find it a bit odd that I can be having a turf management related conversation with someone who has been a golfer/member for years and years (or decades and decades in some cases) only to discover that they have very little knowledge or understanding of "what we do".  That being said, I've decided this winter to piece together some blog entries titled "Did you know?" to shed some light on some of the routine and not-so-routine aspects of golf course maintenance.

Mowing Heights & Frequency

These are two very key aspects of turf maintenance that very few golfers have any knowledge of.  They just know we cut the grass low and somewhat regularly.  How low and how often you ask?  Here are some examples of our mowing heights and frequencies here at Quilchena:

Greens:

• We mow our greens at 3 different heights-of-cut (HOC) based on time of year and/or turf conditions.  During the summer months we mow them at .110" - that's equivalent to the thickness of a standard house key.  Mowing heights this low are set and checked by using an ACCU-GAGE measuring device that provide precise and accurate measurements in .001" increments.  During the spring and fall "shoulder seasons" we mow them at .135" - slightly higher than the summer months to better withstand the cooler and wet conditions.  During the winter months we mow them at .156" - again to better withstand the cold and sometimes sub-zero wet conditions.

ACCU-GAGE

• Mowing frequency of greens is strictly dependent on a few different variables such as: turf conditions, weather patterns, staffing levels, cultural practices and time constraints due to shotgun starts, crossovers, etc.  We typically mow the greens 4-5 times per week in the summer months - sometimes less often and sometimes more often.  On days that we do not mow, we roll the greens to achieve desired green speeds.  During the shoulder seasons, we mow them less frequent and usually determine when to do so based on weather - when the weather cooperates, we mow as often as we can because we know the opportunities to mow them this time of year becomes less and less frequent.

Tees, collars and approaches:

• We mow our tees, collars and approaches at 2 different HOC during the golfing season.  During the summer months we mow them at .325" - about the height of a standard ballpoint pen laying flat.  During the shoulder seasons and winter months we mow them at .5"
• Mowing frequency of tees, collars and approaches is dependent on the same variables that apply for greens.  We typically mow these areas 2-3 times per week and adjust to once a week in the should seasons and eventually to an as needed basis during the winter.

Fairways:

• Like tees, collars and approaches, we mow our fairways at 2 different HOC throughout the year.  During the summer months we mow them at .400" - only 75/1000" higher than tees, collars and approaches resulting in a "tight" and dense turf canopy that withstands weed invasion, while still providing excellent lies for shot-making opportunities.  During the shoulder seasons and winter months we mow them at .500"
• Fairways are typically mowed 3 times per week in the summer months and 1-2 times per week in the shoulder seasons.  Again, like tees, collars and approaches, they are only mowed on an as needed basis during the winter months.

 Primary Cut:

• Also known as a "champ cut" or "perimeter cut", this refers the 6' wide transition cut between the fairways and rough that is mowed at a HOC between the two respective areas.  We also extend this cut at a narrower width (approx. 40") around the collars of our greens.  The HOC for our primary cut is .75" - this height still provides a great lie for those who narrowly miss the fairway.  We typically mow our primary cut 3 times a week in conjunction with our fairways in the summer months and reduce accordingly in the shoulder season and winter months.

Rough:

• We mow our rough here at Quilchena at a 1.75" HOC during the summer months.  This HOC is sometimes adjusted for tournaments, specifically sanctioned golf tournaments that provide us with requirements for rough heights.  During the shoulder seasons and winter, our HOC is slightly adjusted down to 1.5" to better mulch leaves and to provide a bit more forgiving rough since we are often at the mercy of the weather with regards to when we have an opportunity to mow it.  We are still working on creating a sandier and firmer profile in our rough and until this is accomplished it will be significantly "softer" than our already sandy fairways.  Our rough is completely mowed twice a week in the summer and shoulder seasons and only when we conditions allow in the winter.  So although our rough may appear and feel like it's 5" at times, rest assured it IS being mowed regularly!

Now THAT'S rough!

Stay tuned this winter for more "Did you know?" blog posts that may answer some of those questions you've been longing to ask!

Potential Cosmetic Pesticide Ban

Are you ready for your golf course to look this this?

This may be one of the most important blog posts I ever write.  The BC Provincial Government is currently conducting a survey to determine if they will establish new legislation to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides.  If a ban is put into place, it would greatly affect not only how we maintain the course, but it would also change golf as we know it today.  Simply put, some pesticides, or control products as I like to call them, are necessary to combat turf pests that can wipe out golf course turf.

 

Golf course personnel that apply pesticides are licensed and trained to do so and we only apply as per a strict Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.  I do agree that these control products must be taken out of the hands of the misusers, which are typically homeowners, but not who responsibly apply them.  For further information regarding IPM, please visit the IPM Council of Canada here: http://www.ipmcouncilcanada.org/epar/Default.aspx

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) has taken a very proactive approach against the proposed ban.  The WCTA Board of Directors is made up of industry professionals that have an obvious vested interest in the outcome of this issue.  They have spent countless hours compiling information and meeting with lawmakers to ensure the voices of its members are heard.  I urge you to take the time to review the information on this webpage and make sure your voice is heard: http://www.wctaturf.com/topics/pdf/pesticide.pdf

I completely understand that this is one of those public concerns driven by "emotion", but all I ask is that you completely understand what the real pesticide issues are and what is at stake here if a ban is put into place.  I assure you, there is a lot of misinformation out there.

Drainage after heavy rainfall...

The past few weeks have been jam-packed with all sorts of different weather!  Whether it's been snow, sleet, below freezing temperatures, forceful winds, beautiful sunny days or the seasonal torrential downpours, we have become accustomed to expecting the unexpected.  This past weekend was no exception as we experienced lots of rain and some more strong wind gusts.  The good news is that our drainage system has been performing as expected, with the exception of a few areas that we will be doing some further investigating on over the next few weeks.

Here is a short video I shot yesterday of our drainage outlet at #4 tee that empties water off the course via the irrigation pond into the dyke on the far west end of the property:

You can see just how much water is leaving the property.  Drainage is fed to our irrigation pond from holes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 18 so needless to say, it's taking on a lot of water!

After a heavy rainfall, our drainage system typically needs between 90 minutes and 2 hours to "catch up" for the course to become playable again.  Without it, we'd likely remain closed for days on end for the conditions to firm up enough for play.

Golf Industry Economy: A 10-year Snapshot

The state of the golf industry is always an interesting topic of discussion between golfers and golf course managers.  The recent article published by the National Golf Foundation shares some compelling information that sheds some light on the current state of affairs and their predictions on the future of golf.

November 2, 2011
Golf Industry Economy – A 10-year snapshot

You certainly cannot put the last decade in the golf business in perspective without looking at the changes in the supply and demand balance… or imbalance.

Let’s begin by re-visiting the golf development boom of the mid to late 1990’s… The industry was riding the real-estate boom and the opening of new courses was disproportionately driven by developers building and maintaining high-end courses as an amenity to sell homes and lots. While not a universal truth, most of the entrepreneurs funding this course construction were not concerned as to whether the course could survive on its own as a business. Thousands of golf courses were added to the supply in the seven years from 1994 to 2000.

At the same time, the golf participation rate was holding steady (around 10.5% of the U.S. population, age 6+) and we saw an increase of nearly five million golfers primarily due to population growth and increases in some key demographic groups.

What happened to the golf landscape over the past decade is a not-so-simple lesson in economics. Golf course over-supply has diluted the stagnant demand and created a highly competitive environment for course owners and operators. Add two recessions during this period and what you have is an extremely challenging marketplace.

The accompanying chart offers an illustrative overlay of trends in several core metrics in our industry. You will note that rounds played have seen a cumulative drop of 12% since 2001. This drop in rounds (equivalent to approx. 60 million rounds) has been driven, in large part, by the two periods of recession mentioned earlier (2002-2003 and 2008-2010).

From 2001 to 2005, the industry was still adding to golf course supply at a rate of over 100 net courses per year. Although we have seen a net reduction in course supply since 2006, we remain in an oversupply situation (despite the six years of net reduction in supply, we stand today at 300 facilities higher than 2001 levels).

The good news… there are several factors with the potential to improve this situation:

• Latent demand – millions of non-golfers interested in taking up the game

• Dedicated PGA of America Golf 2.0 initiatives to help activate interested non-golfers

• Economic recovery should aid increases in rounds played and spending

• The expected net closure of golf facilities over the next decade should help improve the dilution of demand at the golf course level

We expect the combined result of these factors to reverse the trend and provide a rise in golfers and rounds per 18 holes.

 

Understanding Frost

Not to my surprise, the "hot" topic around the Club lately has been frost delays.  As I suit up in my bulletproof vest and riot gear to deal with upset golfers on frosty mornings, I often wonder how some can be so ignorant to the facts that we continue to present them with.  Plain and simple: TRAFFIC ON FROSTY TURF KILLS.  This is not debatable; it's fact!

turf killed from traffic under frosty conditions

I am well aware that golfers here used to be permitted to play to temporary greens under frosty conditions, but this is no longer the case.  When I arrived here over 3 years ago, I was given a mandate by the Golf Committee as per the Board of Directors to do whatever necessary to raise the standards of the Club to the level expected for a private Club.  Simply playing to temporary greens doesn't mean damage to the turf is being avoided.  I tend to think of it as turning a blind eye to vandalizing your own golf course.  Frost does not discriminate against what turf it develops on nor does the ensuing damage from traffic on it.  Traffic on frosty turf will result in death whether it's a green, tee, fairway or rough.  Implementing a Frost Delay Policy to protect the entire course, not just the greens, was an integral component of ensuring that our everyday turf conditions meet the high expectations of our members and guests.  Here is an illustration that may help you understand the potential for damage from a single foursome of golfers:

footprints on a green from one foursome

First and foremost, I knew my biggest challenge here was going to be to change the "culture" of the club.  By that, I mean educating our members and staff as to what the consequences are of continuing to do things for the sake of "this is how we've always done it".  Many that know me know that hearing that sad excuse to accept mediocrity is one of my biggest pet peeves!  Just because "this is how we've always done it", doesn't make it right!  Now, I'm not saying that the way I do things is the only way, but I base my turf maintenance practices on what I know is best for our current turf conditions and I adjust accordingly when I see room for improvement or if we are not seeing the anticipated results.  Being in this industry for almost 20 years now has also afforded me the opportunity to develop a broad spectrum of resources from which I can draw from for advice when I run into a situation that I have yet to face.  Talking to other industry professionals to hear how they deal with certain situations often results in ideas that may help us improve upon what we are working towards accomplishing.  As I said earlier, I'm all ears when it comes to tweaking our ideas and methods.

With regards to frost, there is something very important that I don't think many golfers understand.  When we arrive at the course in the morning, it very well may be frost-free.  Quite often frost develops as the sun begins to rise and can continue to develop into a heavier frost even after sunrise as the temperature tends to drop a bit.  We do our best to update you with current course conditions as early and often as we can, but don't be surprised if the frost develops on the course while you are already on your way for your morning tee time.

Here are 3 general rules of thumb when it comes to predicting whether or not we will have frosty conditions:

• Frost typically occurs at temperatures of 4C or lower; it does not have to reach 0C as many believe.
• Clear skies increase the potential for frost; cloudy skies tend to "insulate" better, resulting in warmer air and surface temperatures.
• Wind also influences frost development.  Windy conditions can prevent cold air from settling in, again resulting in warmer air and surface temperatures.  That being said, if the wind temperature is below zero, it can be quite damaging to the turf.

There are other factors that determine whether or not frost will develop, but these 3 are the most accurate when it comes to predicting it.

I could go on and on explaining the damage caused from traffic on frosty turf, but I'll once again leave that to the USGA Green Section Record via this video:

As the video clip states, enjoy some breakfast and an extra cup of coffee knowing that you are doing what's best for YOUR golf course and YOUR investment!

P.S. - We are not alone when it comes to lower mainland golf courses with Frost Delay Policies so no, frost delays ARE NOT "Eastern Technology"!

Turf Fights Back!!!

Well, I never thought I'd see the day that turf fights back, but the time has come!

Here's a video of how turf treated with one of our fungicides responds to geese attempting to feed on it (warning - DO NOT watch if you are sensitive to viewing animals being harmed):

And here is one showing how the turf reacts to golfers that drive their carts to close to the green (these idiots had it coming):

DON'T MESS WITH TURF!!!

Controlling Earthworm Casts

Earthworm casts can be a big nuisance this time of year.  These worm casts have negative effects on the playability and the overall aesthetics of the turf.  They also affect the quality of cut if not removed directly ahead of the mowers.  The earthworms are active all season long, but the casts they leave behind are more noticeable in the fall for a couple of reasons.  First off, it seems as though the soft moist soil this time of year is ideal for them to tunnel in and out of, compared to the hard compacted soils of summer.  More tunnels = more casts on the surface.  Second, our mowing frequency is reduced this time of year due to slower growth rates and reduced staffing levels.  Less mowing = more casts on the surface.

earthworm casts affect ball roll, aesthetics and mowing quality

Interestingly though, there are other forces at work that seem to be contributing to the excessive worm casts.  A recent USGA Green Section Record publication has shed some light on this issue and here is a quote from that article:

"During the past 20 years, however, the problem of excessive earthworm castings interfering with play on golf courses has become more serious and widespread.  Why?  Residues of old, highly persistent chemicals like chlordane, banned many years, are finally dissipating from soils and no longer suppressing earthworms.  Earthworm-toxic soil insecticides, like diazinon, bendiocarb, and carbaryl, have been replaced by chemistries that are more selective."

We have recently completed a trial using an organic fertilizer to control earthworms.  This fertilizer named Early Bird (I know, brilliant marketing) has provided us with excellent control of the earthworms resulting in an extremely significant reduction in worm casts.  We are going to be treating all the tees this week and will continue to monitor the earthworm activity to see exactly how long we can achieve results with each application.  Early Bird also provides nutrition to the turf while controlling the earthworms.

For further information, you can read the USGA Green Section Article in its entirety here: Controlling Earthworm Casts on Golf Courses

A breath of fresh air!

If you play golf on this beautiful October day, one thing you will likely notice is a bit of an unpleasant odour coming from the ground!  Don't worry though, that's a good thing!  It's just our fairways and greens taking a deep breath and exhaling.  FarmTek is on-site today deep-tining the fairways and we are verti-cutting and needle-tining (venting) the greens.  As I explained in an earlier blog post, the late-August deep-tining was cut from the budget and we did not anticipate the impact it would have on our drainage capability.  That being said, it became clear that the fairways were REALLY missing the scheduled deep-tining and became quite saturated as a result.  Here are some photos of today's deep-tining:

Deep-tining underway as the sun rises this morning.

NOT something you'd want to be run over by!

FarmTek guys doing their thing and are they ever good at it!

3/4" diameter channels for air and water movement.

Irrigation flag used to check aeration depth.

8" deep channels will certainly help the fairways drain!  Ahhh!

#1 completed - the holes will disappear with traffic and growth.

Now, onto what's being completed on the greens today.  First, the greens are being verti-cut to help remove organic matter (thatch) by thinning out the turf canopy.  Verti-cutting is a method of mowing with a set of vertically mounted blades that cut into and perpendicular to the surface of the turf.  Here is what a verti-cutting reel looks like closeup:

Series of thatch removing vertically mounted blades.

This slicing action removes organic material at a depth that can be adjusted based on how aggressive you'd like to get.  We are verti-cutting the greens and collars at a depth of 1/16" today, which may not sound that aggressive, but as you'll see we are removing alot of material.  Here is a photo of the verti-cutting triplex in action:

So much thatch removed that it doesn't all make it into the buckets!

Thatch harvested from only 4 greens!

Following the verti-cutting, we needle-tined (vented) the greens.  This venting process is a form of aeration that we can do throughout the year with no disruption to play.  As you'll see the effects of the venting are hardly noticeable at the surface, but the benefits below ground are substantial.  It is NOT a form of removing thatch though, so don't think that this means we can move away from traditional core aeration!  It's benefits are short-term and therefore the process must be scheduled routinely to reap the rewards.  Here are some photos of this process:

5" needle tine.

Needle-tining #5 green following verti-cutting.

Characteristic lines from verti-cutting and holes from venting.

Lastly, the greens were double rolled following the verti-cutting and venting and as you can see below, you can hardly tell we were there:

All that beneficial work done without any adverse effects on ball roll.

***Please note that these tasks could not have been completed as efficiently and effectively without our scheduled Maintenance Morning***

Frost Delay Season is Coming...

Although I don't see any extremely cold temperatures in the 14-day forecast, I'd like to be proactive and get the word out that we are nearing the Frost Delay time of year.  As a reminder, here is our policy should we encounter frosty conditions:

FROST DELAY POLICY

The course will remain closed under frosty conditions until either the Golf Course Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent deems it to be ready for play.  Following any delays, the Golf Shop personnel will then determine the best approach for getting golfers onto the course.  If it is a light frost resulting in a short delay of one hour or less, the tee sheet will likely be bumped back to accommodate all players.  Heavier frosts will produce longer delays and the course will open shortly after the frost has completely lifted.  Our Turf Care team requires about a 15-20 minute head-start in front of the first group to setup the course for play.  For longer delays, there may still be a 9-hole shotgun start in conjunction with the immediate tee times to accommodate more players getting onto the course ASAP.  These shotguns will typically start between 11am and noon.

To ensure that you are aware of your tee time, it is each golfer's responsibility to regularly check iGolf for frequent updates and/or call the Golf Shop for information regarding any potential delays.

I am well aware that frost delays are not popular, but I assure you that they are necessary and that delaying until the frosty conditions lift will greatly benefit the course and its members.  Here is a video put together by the USGA that illustrates the damage caused by traffic on frosty turf:

Deep-tining Fairways

Recent budget cutbacks forced us to eliminate the previously scheduled core aeration on our fairways.  I anticipated that the sandy profile we've created over years and years of continuous topdressing would still allow them to drain well enough to avoid forming any standing water and that they would still remain relatively firm and fast.  Unfortunately, this is not the case and I've been quite concerned with what I'm seeing on our fairways recently.  Recent rains, some heavy and some not, are not penetrating our thatch layer as quickly as we'd like, which is resulting in standing water on many of our fairways.  Some standing water is forming in areas where we have never seen it form before.  I've also noticed an increased presence of dollar spot, a turf disease that like many fungal infections, thrives under cool and moist conditions.

Deep-tine aerator

That being said, we have struck a deal with our aeration contractor, FarmTek, to complete a deep-tine aeration on the fairways on one of our upcoming scheduled Maintenance Mornings.  Monday, October 17th, FarmTek will be bringing in 4 deep-tining tractors to complete the process well ahead of the first tee time at 11am.  The deep-tining process creates channels 10"-12" deep and 3/4" in diameter that will allow moisture to penetrate the thatch layer in our fairways and work its way into our extensive drainage system.  These channels will eliminate the majority of the surface water and will help the fairways continue to drain efficiently over the rainy winter months.  Here are some other benefits of deep tine aeration:

If the weather on October 17th is not suitable for completing the deep-tining, we will do so immediately as the conditions improve.  The good thing is that this process can be completed under less than ideal conditions, just not during torrential downpours on already saturated turf.

Frustrating is an understatement...

Lots of time and effort goes into prepping the course for members and guests on a daily basis.  Our crew takes alot of pride in the work they do so it's plain to see why it can be so disheartening to see blatant disregard by some golfers for the course and the rest of the golfers that are playing the course behind these selfish individuals.

Here are just a few examples of what I'm talking about:

I guess the rakes weren't close enough for this golfer to use them.

Someone decided to take a "frustration divot" out of #14 green.

So much for the stakes, ropes AND signs to keep golfers out of this area.

Carts were restricted to PATHS ONLY on the day this damage occurred.

Unfortunately, these routine etiquette standards are neglected on a regular basis which affects the overall golfing experience for many.  I recently had a conversation with one of our members who said that she is appalled at how she sees some golfers treat the course.  She has no problem speaking up to these fellow golfers to remind them of the club policies.  Of course, as we hear all the time, the response is usually a defensive one even though they clearly know that they are in the wrong.  

I applaud those that take enough pride in YOUR course to speak up against those that don't follow the simple etiquette that every golfer should be aware of.  It's too easy to turn a blind eye to the infractions and simply keep quiet.  Now, if only others would do like this member, we might begin making some headway.  We can post countless notices and put reminder after reminder in the Herald and eNews, but from my experience, it's "members policing members" that actually makes a difference.  Sometimes it's just the fear of being embarrassed by having to be spoken to about these issues that makes golfers think twice about it.

Now this is PRECISE!

This is really quite amazing (well, to me anyway).  This technology really allows you to dial-in fertility and control product programs which, in turn, results in cost savings and reduces the potential for product waste.  Very cool.

From TurfNet.com:

As an early adopter of GPS technology, Marc Thigpen knows he is not going to be the last person to use satellite-assisted guidance to make life easier for golf course superintendents. But he does want to be known as the person people can come to in a pinch.

A North Carolina tobacco farmer of 30-plus years by trade, Thigpen began utilizing GPS technology on spray units in agriculture long before anyone in the golf industry began using it to replace 150-yard markers much less attach one to a piece of machinery. His company, NuTec Soil of Trenton, N.C., has since incorporated the same technology into turfgrass management by using GPS units to physically steer and maneuver spray units and control individual applicator nozzles by turning them on and off as needed depending on where a unit is located on the course. The ability to control individual spray tips at each pass and turn reduces waste by eliminating overlap, a revelation Thigpen says can help superintendents save time and money and reduce fertilizer usage by as much as 20 percent.

“That’s huge. This is the future of the golf industry,” Thigpen said. "The future is here now.

“I’ve grown up with this technology. I know I’m not going to be the only guy in town. But I want to be the best. And everything I say I can back up 200 percent.”

Thigpen struck out into golf after realizing no one else was using GPS to help maximize spray coverage while minimizing fertilizer use. With such a substantial amount of a superintendent’s budget devoted to fertilizer applications, he thought, and rightfully so, that professional turf managers probably were wasting vast amounts of product due to overlap and in turns, which results in waste and increased threat of burned turf. He incorporates the technology into an overall soil-management program that he says not only helps his customers save money, but results in improved turf quality also.

He tells the story of superintendent Tim Kwiat of Due Process Stable in Colts Neck, N.J., who reduced water use on his practice range by 12 percent just by having accurate GPS mapping of the area and a sprayer with individual tip control.

Officially, Thigpen says the system is accurate to within 1 inch, but in reality it probably is more precise.

“It’s more like a centimeter,” he said.

“Savings can be anywhere from 5 to 15 to 20 percent, but we project at 10 percent. Depending on the size of someone’s budget, this can pay for itself in as little as four months.”

Saving money and reducing fertilizer use is just one part of what NuTec offers. The company’s TurfGeeks program is a comprehensive soil-management program that includes collecting vast amounts of soil samples, analyzing data, developing a variable-rate application program, course mapping, GPS-guided applications, technical support, record keeping and reporting.

When NuTec takes soil samples, it really takes soil samples, often up to 1,000 from a single golf course so that analysts can document and manage for every possible soil condition found in greens, tees and fairways.

Superintendents can use any soil lab of their choosing to learn what is happening in their root zone, but when left up to him Thigpen uses Waters Agricultural Laboratories with offices in Camilla Ga., and Owensboro, Ky.

“We take over the data after that,” Thigpen said. “Then we tell the superintendent: ‘Here is what you have.’ And we ask him: ‘What do you want to do?’ ”

Kwiat of Due Process Stable has employed NuTec’s soil-management program for three years. Just recently he was the first superintendent to utilize the company’s GPS-controlled spray unit.

In previous years, Kwiat might apply as much as 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet over the course of a year. After soil tests showed him what he needs and where he needs it, and using a GPS-guided sprayer to carry out that plan, Kwiat estimates he will use slightly more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet this year on his bentgrass/Poa greens and bentgrass tees and fairways. NuTec’s fees gobble up some of those savings, but Kwiat says he still saves 25 percent of what he would spend annually in previous years.

“We use less water and have healthier turf with more uniform color,” Kwiat said. “And we don’t have the disease pressure we’ve had in years past. Even when it’s 100 degrees outside, we’re still pretty green.”

Tissue tests conducted every three weeks ensure that Kwiat stays on track with his program.



The system was used at this year’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. It also has been used to help manage turf conditions during at least three PGA Tour events, three USGA championships and a Champions Tour event.

Here’s basically how the system works: Diaphragm check valves in the nozzles of each sprayer are replaced with solenoid check valves, essentially converting each nozzle into its own individually controlled boom. GPS technology recognizes where the unit has been on the golf course, and hasn’t been, and turns each valve on or off delivering product only where it is needed. It also keeps detailed application records that can be used for reporting purposes.

Mapping the course takes a day or two, as does entering all the readings into a computer, Thigpen said. But the end result is worth the prep time that is required.

“You can try to overlap, and it won’t do it,” Thigpen said.” You can drive over an area you’ve already sprayed, and those tips are not going to turn on.

“This technology has really snowballed in the last five years. Five years ago, there was no way in the world anyone could have done this.”

His sprayer can be affixed to any existing hydraulic sprayer regardless of age.

“That’s the beauty of it,” he said. “You can take a 20-year-old sprayer and make it the latest and greatest, or you can take a brand-new unit and make it even more efficient.”

Such detailed soil testing and mapping is a key to savings and improved turf quality, according to Kwiat.

“It’s not that the turf here was off, but we had pockets where it was off, and (Thigpen) was able to find those pockets,” Kwiat said. “That also allows you to put fertilizer only where it needs to be. That saves us money and from an environmental standpoint we are able to reduce inputs.”

Although it is difficult for Thigpen to imagine a scenario in which his system does not end up paying for itself in short order, he also realizes there are some budget constraints that make it impossible for a course to hire him as a full-service firm. In those instances, his company can distance train a superintendent or spray tech to map the course, install the unit and make applications themselves.

“We can make the applications, or we can train someone how to do it if they want to do it themselves,” Thigpen said. “All they need is a sprayer, and everyone has a sprayer.”

Thigpen recently has reached an agreement with Toro distributor Storr Tractor in Branchburg, N.J., to help promote and distribute the product, and he also is close to reaching a similar distribution deal with John Deere Golf .

The program has been years in development, and it only has been operational for about a year.

“We finally go it to where we wanted it to be last October,” he said. “We always knew it would work. We’ve been taking it in small baby steps.”

Future plans for NuTec include bringing similar GPS technology to mowing equipment.

"It will still need an operator," Thigpen said. "But it will be much more efficient."