On the right path...

The break in the weather this past week made it feel like spring may not be all that far away.  With the ground thawing out, the guys were able to strip, prep and sod a number of cart path ends around the golf course.

With all cart traffic being funneled into these pinch points, the turf doesn't get much rest.  Over the years, we have tried a number of products that are intended to reduce wear and compaction in these areas, all with limited success.

We were also able to swap out a few pieces of sod on #18 approach, which had Poa, for Bentgrass harvested from our nursery.

As we've said in the past, the benefit to sodding now is that the sod will root without needing to be nursed, as it does most other times of the year.

Heavy Pruning

To date, this winter has been a bit frustrating, as the weather has not allowed us to work on several projects we  had planned.  However, despite the cold and snow, we can most always get some much needed pruning done.

Removing underbrush in these areas will help to allow air movement and promote healthier turf during the hot summer months. 

One thing that we've learned over the years is the importance of keeping things in check.  If not periodically cut back, "volunteer" saplings can soon become significant trees which may pose a challenge to remove.

A good example of this can be seen in front of #13 tee.  The concrete outflow structure for #7 pond's overflow was installed in this area when the golf course was built.  The self-planted clump of trees surrounding this are now pushing 30' in height.  Similarly, none of the trees between the driving range and the pond behind it were planted.  If you've ever watched one of the shows that project what the Earth would look like without humans in the future, it's easy to see that it wouldn't take long for flora to cover things over once again.

The guys have now snipped and clipped from one end of the course to the other.  Fortunately, based on the weather forecast, we now may be able to move on to some other tasks we've been waiting to tackle!

To open, or not to open...

After a long period of bitterly cold weather, it was tempting to open the golf course at the end of last week, when we briefly saw the mercury head north.  However, the potential for damage to the course was not worth the risk. 

Just as soils freeze from the top down, so too do they thaw from the top down.  As the snow and ice melts, the frozen soil beneath prevents all of that water from percolating into the ground.  In essence, you have a very mushy layer over a frozen layer.

Only once the greens were free of ice throughout their root zone, are we able to open the course for walking.

At times like this, any traffic, including feet, can cause rutting and root shearing.  This USGA article explains the situation clearly:

Roots Are Not Elastic

Good for something

While the weather the past month has definitely not been good for golfing, we have little choice but to roll with the punches on the golf course.  The super cold conditions have allowed us unusual access to the pond banks:  Thanks to the ice, we have been able to work from the inside out. 

Between phragmites and "volunteer" willow trees, visibility from #3 tee was becoming limited, and few people enjoy a blind par 3!  The team made quick work of clearing this area.  When you are finally able to get back out on the course, check out the new and improved view.

Just a reminder that, as tempting as it may be, the ponds on the golf course can not be used for skating.  With springs and storm water flowing into them, they do not freeze evenly (as someone found out earlier this week, when he went into knee deep water).