Weeks of Jan. 8th and 15th

First two substantial snow's of winter have occured

For those of you that are away enjoying warmer climates, we have been in a weather roller coaster at Ipswich. On Jan. 7th we received around 14 inches of snow. Which was followed by heavy rain events on the 10th and 13th of January and some milder temperatures. This melted all of the snow off the course. Since then temperatures have dropped and the course is blanketed in about 2 to 3 inches of snow. The next few days will feature some of the coldest temperatures of the year.

While checking the course after the heavy rain and rapid snow melt I was treated to a couple of rainbows.

I have been asked many times about the sections of turf that the agronomy team removes from certain areas of greens. Below is an example of how they aid in moving water off of greens in time's of frozen ground and rapid melt's

I was recently getting a cup of coffee and a group of member's leaving the fitness center asked me about covering greens and greens covers. This is a question that I am constantly asked each winter. There is a time and place for certain types of covers for certain environmental situations. The widespread use of permeable (grow covers) is something that has no benefit to Ipswich and can actually do more harm then good. I recently just watched a 4 hour webinar for continuing education requirements on turf covers and while much of the talk was on Bermuda Grass in warmer climates there were two speakers that focused on the Northeast. Both of these speakers reconfirmed my belief on covers and the basic take away for this geographic area was not to cover especially with the milder winters we have been experiencing. There may be a time and place for a greens cover at Ipswich in the future, but currently no such situation occurs.

The agronomy team has been continuing to work outside on most days. A lot of pruning of trees is occurring through out the golf course. Brush work to around the 14th green has been started to improve air movement to the green as well. I suspect the work on 14 will be completed next week. We are also still focused on storm cleanup both on the course and snow removal duties at the clubhouse. While still completing a lot on the course some of our efforts have been shifted towards indoor maintenance.

Course accessory refurbishment in full swing:

Range Target Poles being fabricated:

All the equipment that the agronomy team utilizes most be gone through and serviced. All preventative maintenance is done and any big repairs are completed. Winter is the mechanic's busiest time of year.

Picture shy mechanic Glenn Skelley's busiest time of year

The agronomy team is also busy making repairs and improvements to the shop's bathroom and breakroom. During the course of the golf season we spend a tremendous amount of time on property. It is very important to provide a good work environment for the agronomy team. My office that I share with assistant Michael Curtin will also get a deep clean and some cosmetic improvements. Our daily focus is always producing the best conditions possible, and we are both at times guilty of neglecting our own work spaces.

Completed Breakroom: (two lights still need repair)

The agronomy team has a lot of tree work planned for this winter. We are currently waiting for a period of cold temperatures and frozen ground. We are hopeful this will occur towards the end of January or over February. If frozen ground doesn't occur we will have to modify our tree plans. Regardless of weather we will be removing 29 trees from the right of 1. We will then be landscaping and seeding/sodding the area. This will go a long way in approving our first impression. Another area we will complete tree work regardless of weather is the 10th tee. This work will be done to make way for a possible tee renovation project in 2024. All other tree work will require frozen ground to prevent excessive course damage. Hopefully in the coming weeks we will be posting pictures of all of the tree work.