Week of June 20 Applications, Ryder Cup Prep, and Dry Conditions Persist
- matthewbehl
- Jun 24, 2022
- 2 min read
Much of this week was spent making applications. Fairways and tees were sprayed with wetting agent and preventative grub control this week. Greens were also sprayed with a wetting agent and for ants. Ants are a very difficult pest to control on putting greens and we have already seen some knockdown from one product. The other product used takes a while to take effect. Mounding has already been reduced and should become even more reduced in the next 14 days. As always we will be making follow up applications for the ants and treating surrounding areas as well. Wetting agents will help with water management especially if the dry conditions persist.
The wood line on the right of 12 has been cut back again. Remember the plan for year one in this area was just to keep it mowed and sprayed down. There are no immediate plans to grow turf in this area.
The green extension project on 15 has been sodded. We will be seeding the area above the sod line to create a native/natural grass area. This work will be done towards the end of August when conditions become more favorable for seed germination and establishment. Project wise in the coming weeks will be concentrating on getting the tree removal area prepped for seed on 18 and leveling the drains on the bottom of the 3rd fairway.
Speaking of tree removal we removed some hazardous trees from the 17th hole this week and some declining pear trees from the clubhouse area. There are still some other trees on the golf course that are potential hazards that I will be looking to address in the coming weeks.
Some after shots of the clubhouse with trees removed. Feedback on this work has been very positive.
Sand was added to bunkers on the back 9 this past week and compacted. Sand was added to bunkers on 10,14, and 15. A lot of other bunker work was completed as well including sodding some nose areas, weeding, and a complete bunker nose mow.
Renovated tees that were open last week are holding up well and have been brought down to tee height of .475. We still have some aeration and topdressing work to do, but maintenance is now falling in conjunction with our routine tee management practices.
One thing on the agenda for next week is a light topdress. We are entering the time of year when bentgrass will produce the most thatch. Sand topdressing is a way to dilute thatch accumulation. Very light topdressing will basically be occurring every 10 to 14 days until our August aeration dates. This will be done in conjunction with grooming and the samurai tine work. All of these practiced will provide no disruption to play, but a variety of benefits.
Some pictures and wildlife from the week:
A deer making it's way across the rough and I believe a green heron on the pond edge of 6
For those playing in The Ryder Cup, Enjoy!