Tee Markers

We put the new Laurel and Laurel/Legends tee markers out on the course this week, and heard several positive comments.  Like the rest of the granite markers, there are challenges when moving and placing them.  

In a way, setting the tee markers involves more than just three dimensions.  That is, the marker itself should be placed into the ground at a uniform depth, while not tilted forward or back, not leaning sideways, not toed in or out, nor left or right.  Then there is making sure the markers are parallel to each other, while being perpendicular to the desired line of flight.

To summarize, there are many opportunities to get it wrong, and only one way to get it right.  At 12 pounds each, we try hard to get the markers set properly the first time--no need to be lifting them twice if you don't have to!

Divot Bottle Use

It is great to see so many of the Club's members taking the time to fill their divots with the sand and seed bottles provided on each cart.  However, please keep in mind that the mix contains Creeping Bentgrass seed, which is intended for use only on the tees and fairways.

Occasionally, we see someone filling a divot in the rough with the mix.  While the effort is appreciated, we ask that you refrain from this.  Bentgrass is a great playing surface when mowed at 3/8" or less, however it's not ideal when allowed to grow to 2".  If you've ever found yourself in a section of the primary rough which has Bentgrass contamination, you may have walked away with a sprained wrist, as it can really grab your club.

Bentgrass makes for some tough rough.

For some additional information on divot repair, check out this brief USGA video:  Divots 101

Again, we truly appreciate the strong work on filling divots.  We are only in May, and have already used over four tons of divot mix sand on tees and fairways this season!

Buster

It's with a very heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Buster this week.  From the time Assistant Don Holgersen adopted Buster 15 years ago, he has been part of the Grounds Department team at Laurel Creek.

Buster was a true ambassador of goodwill between the maintenance staff and Club's members.  He was a mascot for the staff--a hard worker, who was not afraid to dig in, and get his hands  (paws) dirty.

Even after becoming a celebrity, as Mr. April, 2006, in a golf calendar, Buster remained humble.

In his youth, Buster was amazingly athletic, and was often seen leaping and bounding through the Fescue.  He was also extremely loyal and obedient.  Don could leave Buster unsupervised on his cart, and his faithful friend would always be there waiting when Don returned.

Undoubtedly, one of Buster's favorite events was a cookout with his coworkers.  Over the years, he definitely ate his fair share of Kielbasa cooked over a steel drum.

As with most jobs, the challenges we face when working on the golf course can be trying at times.  However, regardless of what we were dealing with, we could count on being greeted by a happy Buster, who came to work every day with his tail wagging.  He will be greatly missed by all.   

Green Speed

It seems that in life, we rarely question things when they are really good.  Few people leave a restaurant actually wondering why their meal was delicious.  This pattern seems to carry over onto the golf course as well.  With never-before-seen green speeds last month, not one person asked, "Why are the greens so fast?"  However, now that the greens are no longer rolling in the teens, many have questioned why they are slower.  (Only one person that we know of has used the term slow.)

This certainly could lead to a long discussion about negativity bias, but we'll stay on course, and stick to the subject of green speed.  Whenever this topic comes up, it's important to keep in mind that green speed boils down to one thing:  friction.

In first looking at the unasked question, of why the greens were so darned fast, remember how miserable April's weather was.  Last month was one of the coldest Aprils on record, with 18 days below average.  Courses that aerified in March or April this year have dealt with some real challenges in trying to get the holes to fill in.  A simple equation for what we saw on the greens during the cold early spring, might look something like this:  cold temperatures = little foliar turf growth = little friction = ludicrous speed.

It probably shouldn't come as a surprise then, that the answer to the second question (Why are the greens slower?) is also weather related, and yes, friction related.  With warmer temperatures, we are finally seeing some turf growth, however it is still minimal.  Pictured below is Friday's clipping yield, after mowing over an acre of green surface.

The primary cause of friction on greens now is definitely not from excessive fertility leading to foliar growth.  A quick look at a spot which inadvertently received a good shot of fertilizer, shows how lean the greens really are by comparison.


No, the big friction factor now is coming from Poa annua seed production, which we deal with each and every spring.  While Poa provides a very good putting surface throughout much of the year, one of its drawbacks is the "cauliflower" factor we are now seeing.

In an effort to minimize Poa seed production, we make a series of plant growth regulator applications to the greens, now starting in late fall.  Given the greens' microclimates, and huge  variety of Poa biotypes, seedhead control will never be perfect.  However, by leaving check plots, you can clearly see the tremendous difference between the amount of seed on an untreated area, and the rest of the green.  The pale yellow-white square is an abundance of Poa seed.  Without carefully timed applications, you'd be putting over this bumpy surface on every green.

To take a step back and look at the subject of greens speed, we're taking the glass half full perspective.  When we start hearing comments about the greens being slower as soon as they dip below 12', we know the bar has been raised, and look forward to meeting the challenge!