Week of July 10th
- matthewbehl
- Jul 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Range Update:
The seeded potion of the range floor is starting to progress nicely. Getting the turf to establish to the range floor is the final step needed before the range can be opened.
The agronomy team is pleased with the progress of the range floor. Only three weeks have passed since the range floor was seeded, 11 days have passed since the fastest germinating varieties have begun to germinate, and the slower varieties(fescues) have just begun to germinate over the past couple of days.
The agronomy team will continue with weekly applications of fungicide to the young plants as there are a host of diseases that can attack new stands of turf at this time of year. The moisture and humidity we have been experiencing will also increase the disease pressure. We will also start weekly applications of soluble fertilizer in conjunction with the fungicide applications to help with establishment and density.
The agronomy team’s goal is to make the first cut to the range floor approximately between July 19-21. We would then like to cut the range two more times before opening the range at some capacity. A timeline on this cannot be determined at this time as there are so many environmental factors in play.
Country Golf who was the contractor on the project will be back in at some point to work on some drainage. In a project of this magnitude, there will always be something that needs addressing after completion. Work revolves around old drain tile that was not functioning at the time of the project. Water is now somehow getting into these drains and surfacing as it has no where to go. These are easy fixes and was planning to do in-house. Country Golf who is based out of Michigan will be in the area in the next few weeks and will complete the work allowing the agronomy team to concentrate on establishing the range and the golf course itself. This drainage work will not impact or delay the range opening in any fashion. Range opening is strictly based on the establishment of turf on the range floor that can withstand traffic of being hand picked and mechanically picked. The agronomy team will continue to update through out the establishment process.
Practice Green:
The upper tier of the practice green closest to the cart path is being used on a daily basis and simply can't withstand the traffic. The agronomy team moves the putting green flags in a systematic fashion in order to minimize traffic damage. The same reason why the regulation cups are moved daily. The upper tier is continuously being used even when the putting cups are not on that tier. Please only putt to the chosen locations for the day. Nobody wants to have a roped area on a green especially me, but if that upper tier continues to be used daily when not in play that is what will have to occur. The agronomy team and the practice green appreciates your cooperation with this.
Some pictures of the week:
