Two tees--two very different experiences

 Early in January we started the process of releveling #17 Medal tee.  When originally constructed, none of the course's tees had internal drainage, so we decided that while this tee was undergoing some work, we would add drain lines. Quickly the sod from this tee was stripped, stacked and stored.  

However, as soon as the new drain lines were installed, we got heavy rain and the deep freeze of January.  After a fast start, we then went the better part of a month without being able to get a shovel in the ground.  

The sod we had planned on reusing was moved multiple times during this period.  When we were finally able to get back on the tee and finish grading it, the calendar had flipped a page to February, and the decision was made to scrap the heavily divoted sod, and get some new material.  Taking over a month from start to finish on a single tee was frustrating, but in the end we were able to squeeze out a bit more teeing ground for this Par 3.

The next tee the team tackled was the Palmer tee on #16.  In contrast to #17, the weather cooperated.  #16 Palmer was completed in just a couple of days, including the addition of drainage, and we were able to successfully reuse the sod that had been stripped.

The significant difference in the time it took to complete the work on these two tees is just another example of our always needing to roll with the punches, and try to graciously accept whatever weather we have to deal with.

Pulling back the curtain...

 When the ground finally thawed out last week, we took advantage of the opportunity and did a little mid-winter housekeeping on the new short game area greens.  The turf covers were removed, and the greens were mowed.  

This was followed by a fungicide application, then a few hundred pounds of topdressing sand was spread over the surface.  At the end of the day, it was time for the greens to go back to bed--their protective blankets were replaced by the team with speed and efficiency.

It doesn't look like we'll have any extreme weather going forward, so hopefully it won't be another month between mowings.

Winter Play and Root Shear

 We understand and can relate to the desire to get out on the golf course during some warm(ish) winter days.  However, while it may seem somewhat counterintuitive, there is actually greater risk of causing turf damage now than during periods of extremely cold weather when the soil profile is completely frozen throughout.

In the same way that soil freezes from the top down, so too does it thaw out from the top down.  When this occurs, the moisture on the surface can't infiltrate the frozen soil below, resulting in a mushy top layer, and ice beneath it.  As the pliable surface layer shifts under foot (or cart tire) it can shear away the roots from the solid frozen layer.  From a golfer's perspective, you typically won't see the damage from root shear when it occurs. 

Pockets of snow remained on the course into the weekend.

The USGA has many great educational turf videos, including this short illustration of root shear:

USGA Root Shear

This freezing/thawing cycle can also make evaluating course conditions tricky.  With temperatures dropping below freezing at night, that upper layer often develops a new crust.  The result is that each morning, it may feel as if the course is firm.  But once it warms up during the day, and the surface layer thaws, the afternoon conditions will feel extremely soft again.

Again, we know everyone's itching to get out on the course when there's a beautiful winter day, but it is still February, and we're playing the long game--we want the course in good shape when Opening Day, 2022 arrives!

Cabin Fever

 We started the winter by banging out some projects at a quick pace.  However, between snow, ice and frozen soil over the past three weeks, progress has slowed down dramatically.  

Rain at the end of this past week helped to melt away the snow, but with the ground beneath being frozen, the water can't infiltrate.  At the moment, the technical term for golf course conditions is "icky."

One job that can be tackled under most any weather conditions is the perennial pruning of the wetlands crossings.  Our permit for this activity specifically dictates the use of hand tools only, so it's always a good workout for the arms.