Heading off course

While the primary focus of the agronomy team is obviously the golf course, occasionally we are called upon to help with an off course task.  Most recently, this involved assisting with the installation of the gas line for the new pool heater at the Clubhouse.

Step one was constructing a pad for the propane tanks:

This was followed by digging a lengthy, circuitous trench over hill and dale for the gas line:

While projects like this can be challenging to handle this time of year, it's always interesting when we get to take on something different.  As the saying goes, "If you want something done, ask a busy person."

No missed-stake

With dozens and dozens of carts traversing the course daily, traffic  management is a constant battle.  To date, we have used the traditional yellow rope and stakes to shift traffic patterns, and give areas a chance to recover.  However we are now transitioning to small green and white markers to indicate where to drive (and where not to).  

These markers are more aesthetically pleasing, and will hopefully be easier to shift on a regular basis than the ropes.  Please remember that these markers  are positioned to be driven around--you don't score three points for splitting the uprights with your cart.

How much rain?

The early part of April definitely lived up to its reputation for "showers" with 4.10" of rain in just the first four days of the month.  For perspective, this is slightly more than the average rainfall for the entire month--and over 100,000 gallons of water on each and every acre.

April is not alone in contributing to a wet 2024.  Year to date, we are at exactly twice the average precipitation, having received 22.5" thus far.  While February was actually on the dry side, we were hit hard in both January and March, recording 7.3" and 9.2" respectively.

What does this mean for the rest of the year?  Well, if things are going to balance out in 2024, we may be in for a very dry summer...

Now you see it...now you don't!

Our golf course operation accumulates a fair bit of soil.  This is primarily comprised of drainage spoils, aerification plugs, and during the past few years, material generated from the Master Plan work.  

If we were in need of constructing some mounding, a tee, or other architectural feature on the course, this pile might be considered an asset.  However, when we are close to running out of room, it can become a problem.  Below you can see that the soil is spilling over onto our driveway and even starting to limit access to the fuel tanks.

So we have been fortunate to find folks close by who can put this material to good use.  Thanks to five dump trucks running, just 48 hours from the time the first picture was taken,  we regained some breathing room.

As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." 

Off to a good start...

 Just a few weeks ago, we discussed the installation of Traqmatz in some high traffic areas of the golf course.  Included in this was the walk-up to #12 tee.  As you can see below, at the time of installation, the aesthetics weren't ideal.

However, despite the wacky March weather we've experienced since then, the turf is doing its thing, growing through the mats.  Traditionally we would try to avoid any traffic on newly installed sod, but this area has already handled several hundred pairs of feet walking on it.

Obviously we're not dealing with hot weather yet, but the initial results are definitely promising!

More "winter" projects

We appreciate everyone's patience this past week, as we tried to balance some course improvements with play.  The calendar may still says it's winter, but temperatures were running 20 degrees above average, and the golf course saw 100 rounds per day.

Cart path renovation work has certainly been a challenge with the unanticipated level of activity we've been experiencing.  And while new cart paths may not be a glamorous game-changer, undoubtedly, everybody will prefer a smooth ride.

Some Tee Work

 Over the winter, the team has been making improvements to various tees throughout the golf course.   This includes reclaiming some lost ground on #8 Champion tee:

We also added additional drainage on the back of #1 Medal and Palmer tees:

Lastly, over the years, the mowing lines have migrated on several tees, giving the illusion of the teeing ground being on a slope.  For these areas, we stripped away the Bentgrass, and replaced it with primary rough sod: 

These changes were all accomplished pretty easily.  However, we're planning bigger tee projects for this coming fall...

The end is in sight?

Over the past few years, we have installed Trex decking and PEM matting on five of the bridges on the golf course.  However, as far as size and quantity of material used, none of these compare to the current project we are undertaking on the bridge connecting the Clubhouse to the golf course.  

For starters, at 370', this bridge is much longer than the others.  Additionally, on the wetlands crossing bridges, we went just six pieces wide of Trex.  For the Clubhouse bridge, we are going 16 pieces wide.  The total amount of Trex required is 6000' (well over one mile) of 1" X 6".

It will take 9,000 screws to secure the decking, so suffice it to say that knee pads are highly recommended for this task.  If there is a silver lining to this big bridge (unlike some of the others on the course), it's a straight run, with no curves to negotiate.  As we've done on the other bridges, we'll wait until the weather warms up a bit to install the PEM matting down the center.  

The answer?

 If you haven't been on the course yet this year, you might be surprised to see rubber matting installed on some cart path ends and tee walk-ups.  These high traffic "pinch points" take a beating from both carts and feet.  Increased levels of play over the past few years have exacerbated this issue.

In an effort to improve these areas, we have placed "TraqMatz" and "TraqRollz"  in several locations throughout the golf course.  Prior to installing the mats, these aeras were rototilled to de-compact them, had an amendment incorporated into the soil profile, and new sod added.  

The Traqmatz products have been on the market for several years, and are being used used at many clubs, with positive results.  While they are quite visible at the moment, once the turf grows through them, their appearance doesn't really jump out at you.

In the past, we have tried other products which claim to be the answer for high traffic situations. However, to date, most of these have not lived up to their claims.  While only time will tell, we are cautiously optimistic that Traqmatz will work well.

Rolling around on top of the covers...

 As we mentioned last week, uncovering and recovering the greens is an extremely labor-intensive activity.  Obviously if we are mowing or spraying the greens, this is required.  But what about when we want to just roll the greens?  

Well, you never know until you try, so we ran a triplex with vibratory rollers across a green, then peeled back the cover on just that one green to see the results.  We were happy to find out that this provided the same smoothing to the green, with no damage to the cover.    

The team's backs are going to appreciate not removing and replacing several thousand staples again this week!

Sorry Ron...

 With the greens being covered for the winter, many might believe that this was a Ron Popeil special, where we could put them to bed, and not think about them again until the spring.  

However, the moist environment under the turf covers can act like a petri dish for certain fungi, meaning the covers need to be removed for additional plant protectant applications.  Additionally, while the greens aren't growing quickly, we still want to mow them periodically over the winter.  

The team has become quite proficient at pulling and replacing the tarps, but it is still a very labor-intensive process, taking a full two days to complete each time it has to be done.

The Rollercoaster Ride

Just a couple of months ago, we were noting how dry it was.  In fact, during the entire month of October, we received less than one inch of rain.  Fast forward to December, and it was an entirely different story, as multiple storms led to a whopping 8.40" of rain for the month.  This is more than twice the "normal" total of 3.70".

We've been damp and dreary for most of December and January.

Just as 2023 ended, 2024 is also starting out in unusual fashion.  With only a couple of days left in January, the precipitation total stands at a hefty 7.30".  Combined with December, you're looking at well over 400,000 gallons of water falling on every acre during the past two months.   

Water, water everywhere...

As is often the case, when we closed the books on 2023, the precipitation total for the year was close to average--actually within 10% of the historical number.  However, the peaks and valleys (all or nothing) rain events do appear to be occurring increasingly often.  

What do these weather extremes mean from a both a turf management and golf playability perspective?  If this trend continues, facilities may very well need to invest in both state of the art irrigation systems to precisely add needed water, as well as expansive drainage systems to remove excess water.

Thank You, Luke!

It is with very mixed emotions that we share the news of Assistant, Luke Kringler's departure from Laurel Creek.  During his time at the Club, Luke has consistently embodied  our core values, earning him a fistful of Employee of the Month awards.

Among his many achievements, Luke established a state approved turf apprenticeship program at Laurel Creek, which can provide tuition assistance for turf students.  Additionally, Luke has upgraded our department's record keeping, employee training procedures, and labor tracking.  Given all of this, it isn't surprising that Luke was recognized by Turfnet for being one of the Rising Stars of Turf.  

While we are sad to see him leave, there is no doubt that Luke will continue to do great things in the golf industry!