A Unique View

Over the past few years we have been finding interesting material in the debris screens of sprinklers, which has a consistency somewhat like mulch.  While it's great that the screens are doing their job and catching this material, the question of what this stuff is, and how it's getting into the irrigation system remains.

Two debris screens from the bottom of sprinklers.

Working on the assumption that this material is being sucked into the system from the lake, it seemed like a good idea to confirm the present condition of the 35 year old intake screen at the pump station between #9 and #18 tees.  We wanted to make sure that this wasn't some larger material (like a stick) getting in through a hole in the screen, then being minced by the pumps--that would be a serious issue.

Additionally, since we had to replace the intake screen on the pump station at #5 back in 2017, another general inspection of the other station's screen was due.

Replacement intake screen, being installed nine years ago at #5.

The drawing below may help to understand the location of the intake screen in relation to the pump station.  As you can see in the cut away view, our pump stations sit on top of a "wet well", which has an intake pipe in the lake, with the intake screen at the end.  This allows the water level of the lake and wet well to equalize freely.

Obviously, inspecting the condition of a screen located 100' out at the bottom of the lake isn't easily accomplished.  Fortunately, there are people with the right tools for the job.  Using an underwater ROV, we were able to see the screen and pipe's condition, not just from the outside, but from the inside as well. 

Below is the view from the end of the intake pipe, looking out to the pond through the intake screen.  While there is some sediment buildup, the overall condition of the screen is better than anticipated.  

And while this picture wasn't one of the best exterior ones to see the screen, it did confirm what (too) many locals know--the golf course's lakes are teeming with fish.

As to the source of the "mulch" material, we will continue to try and track it down.  The good news is that we were able to confirm that it isn't something large entering the pump station which might cause major damage to the pumps.

Catching Up

December was a great month for the team to catch up on...rest.  After a challenging 2025 season, everyone was ready for a breather, and the below average temperatures at the end of the year provided a good opportunity to recharge the batteries. 

With some thawing this past week, we have been able to get out and have a productive start to 2026, catching up on activities on the course.  The cups were changed (two per green), the greens sprayed and rolled, the Par 3 tees were covered, and sodding of some high traffic areas took place.

One of the areas being prepped for new sod.

As always, we have to roll with the punches, and make the best of the hand Mother Nature deals us.  It has been good to catch up in multiple ways.

Precision Pruning

It can be difficult to notice changes to the course that may occur over the span of a decade or more.  In the case of tree growth, it might only be when your tee shot ricochets off a branch that "wasn't there" in the past that you become aware of the transformation.  

Such is the case with the view from #18 tee.  Due to the phototropic growth, these trees are actively seeking sunlight and have slowly been moving into the line of flight.

In order to address this, we recently had some clearing done in this area.  As always, we must be mindful of the fact that #18 has protected wetlands running up the right side from tee to green.  However, in the same way that you are permitted to prune branches from your neighbor's tree that overhang your property, so too are we allowed to make a vertical cut line with limbs that are clear of the wetlands border.

This "haircut" now allows you to see most of the putting surface from the tee, and should keep things open for several years.

Hasta La Próxima

After a full eight months working side by side with the year round staff, it was time to say farewell to our H-2B employees for the season.  

We truly can't overemphasize the impact that these team members have had on our operation over the past three years.  Having them here throughout the fall provides opportunities to address tasks on the course that we otherwise wouldn't be able to get accomplished.  

These dedicated men will be returning home for the winter, and hopefully will get some well-deserved rest, while spending time with their families.  We certainly are looking forward to having them return in 2026!

Never the same twice...

We keep detailed notes on our aerification protocol, and while it may seem that it is pretty much the same year in and year out from a player's perspective (with the exception of the timing), we are constantly making adjustments to this critically important practice.  In very general terms, regardless of when we aerify, we are always trying to balance the long-term needs of the turf, along with greens recovery and playability.

One of the modifications we have made over the past couple of years is applying the topdressing sand--an average of 8,000 pounds per green--as the first step in the process, prior to solid tine and hollow tine aerification.  Many might think that it is better to wait until you have created the holes before adding sand, so why have we made this change?

#15 currently looks more like a beach than a green.

By putting the sand down right in front of the solid tine aerifying, much of it gets moved down into the holes as the aerifier passes over it, due to vibration.  Following the solid tining, the team hits the greens with backpack blowers and are able to work the remaining sand into the holes. This has the material in place prior to any equipment "traffic" on the green.  If we apply the sand later in the process, the aerifiers, core harvesters, carts, etc. may have started to close off some of the holes, and limit the amount of sand we can incorporate into the soil profile.

Is this the last time we will modify our protocol?  Golf course maintenance isn't different than anything else in our lives, so probably not.  Thanks to both academic research, as well as improvements in the equipment we have available, aerification practices will constantly continue to evolve.

Not really revenge...

Surveys that seek to understand what is important to players often cite "variety in course setup" as one of the biggest factors in golfers' satisfaction with a facility.  Given that, this past Saturday's pin placements (and random obstacles) on the putting surfaces, surely must have put a smile on all participants' faces. 

Well, perhaps not everyone was thrilled, but there certainly was a good deal of variety on the greens, with many hole locations never seen in the past 35 years.  For us, this has nothing to do with revenge, but provides an opportunity to challenge everyone's flat stick skills.  

On a personal note, after starting out the day by changing cups for this event, it seemed quite fitting to be ending the day with a fellow Greenkeeper.

No frittering during frost

We all know how annoying frost delays can be to golfers, however you might not consider that they have the potential to be equally frustrating to the Grounds staff.  The team is eager to get out and get the course prepped for the day.  So what do we do when contending with frost?  

In an effort to make good use of the time, we have a number of "frost jobs" always lined up for these cold mornings.  As an example, there are several bunkers we can get to via cart path without concern for leaving tracks through the turf.  We often send a handful of guys out to get them raked, which will help speed up the bunker process once the frost has lifted, and prevent the staff from getting caught by play.  

Of course, this is also the time of year when we are dealing with leaves raining down around the clubhouse.  Getting this task addressed and checked off the list early will free up a team member to help on the course, as soon as we are able to safely get out there.

Frost also provides an opportunity to do housekeeping around the maintenance facility, and put together some loads of divot mix.

So whether it's pond bank pruning, cart path edging, or cleaning, suffice it to say that we definitely aren't sitting around twiddling our thumbs while waiting for the Sun to rise.