Balanced Nutrition

Earlier this spring, an equipment issue led to a stripe of fertilizer on some tees.  Since then, a few people have seen the lush green grass, and asked why we don't have the whole golf course looking like that.  

The answer to this question really has two parts:  What's best for the plant (and often more importantly), what's best for golf.  On the course, it definitely isn't a "one size fits all" approach, as we have different fertility programs in place for greens, tees, fairways, primary rough, secondary rough, as well as the practice facility. 

In the case of tees, one of the goals is developing firmer surfaces.  Additional fertility can lead to organic matter accumulation, and puffier conditions. This is neither good for turf health, nor for firmer playing conditions.

Even when it comes to individual tees, we customize the plan.  The par 3 tees receive additional fertilization to aid in divot recovery, and our divot mix is spiked to get the seedlings and surrounding Bentgrass to fill in more quickly.  

Not just longer grass blades, but also wider grass blades from too much fertility can create more friction on greens--a shag carpet does not make for a great putting surface.   As you can see below, additional fertilizer (courtesy of a bird) may lead to a greener green, but this wouldn't make for a better green. 

Generally speaking, the course will play better when the turf more closely resembles a lean marathon runner, than a sumo wrestler.  The balancing act is that we do need to make sure the plants have enough available nutrition to handle the stresses which are inflicted upon them by Mother Nature, mowers, rollers and golf carts.

#8 Tee

The Medal tee on #8 was recently reopened without a whole lot of fanfare.   As you may recall, last fall we stripped off the existing turf, releveled and seeded the tee, prior to covering it for the winter.

While there may not have been a ribbon cutting ceremony, hopefully everyone is able to appreciate the firmer teeing ground and additional area we were able to create during this process.  Seeding may require more patience than sodding, however the end result is typically superior.

Bridging the gap

For a while, it felt like we'd have a better chance of getting a hole in one, than finding the unlikely combination required to finish the PEM matting down the center of the Clubhouse bridge:  A warm day with little cart traffic.  

Eventually our patience paid off, and the team was able to take advantage of a break in the action, quickly getting this "winter project" completed. 

Given the durability of both the matting and decking, we shouldn't need to be working on this again for quite some time.

Greens Aerification!

It's early May, and that can mean only one thing: Time for greens aerification.  

Just kidding.  The reality is that now is when members can reap the benefits of last year's late season aerification and covering of the greens during the winter.  

This week of May is when we have traditionally aerified the greens each spring--which is always followed by a few weeks of "less than" putting conditions.  You won't be experiencing that this year.

This is the second part of the payback for covered greens during the off-season.  The first "non-aerifying" of the greens took place last August, when we were able to maintain great uninterrupted putting conditions straight through the fall.