Enough rain already...

What a crazy "Winter".  In the 15 plus years working on golf courses I have never experienced a season quite like this.  This really describes 2015 in a nutshell.  We started cold, then warm, then cold then rainy, then weeks of no rain.  It has been the one of the most challenging years for me.  As of December 28 we have received right at 70" of rainfall.  Before weeks end we are expected to receive 2-4 additional inches. In comparison we received 47.5" last year.  Talk about what a difference a year makes!  By the way, our annual rainfall average is 51".  Not only is rainfall a story, temperatures are out of whack too.  We are 3 days from January and we still have a few green fairways and we still continue to mow grass on the greens.  We have come within a few degrees of record highs on many occasions.  We are ready for a cold snap to send the entire course into dormancy. It needs it!  I rode the course during the last downpour and snapped a few pictures of flooding.

#7 green

#18 green and #10 fairway

#10 lake out of its banks

#18 fairway river

Overwhelmed wall #17

#16 fairway

                                                                   Sinkhole #6 fairway

As you can see the course is a mess.  My crew is working hard (when we can) to make it as great as possible.  This weather has slowed us down on completing projects. Thank You for your understanding and cooperation.  I look forward to 2016 and another great year at NCC.  We have many great projects and ideas for the upcoming season.  I hope your 2016 is great.

See you on the course!

Course update

Well, disease on the greens continues to be a pain in my side.  Several things contribute to this, excess moisture, damp, cloudy days and lack of sunlight for extended periods.  We didn't see the sun for 12 days!  While the fungus is under check it will unfortunately linger for a while.  We have sprayed numerous products to control the fungus and push new growth, but temperatures are just not right for growth.  I am thankful that its only affecting a few greens and for the recovery that has happened as they could be worse.  This past weekend we had a cold snap which brought a lot of frost to the course.  We have not had frost on the greens yet.  The color of the greens now will be what we can expect throughout the winter.  We use a pigment to keep them green as opposed to allowing them to go off color like the rest of the course.


This has been a strange Fall.  It has been unseasonably warm and very wet.  In the last month we have received almost 12" of rain.  During the Fall it is very tough to dry out from this as the days are shorter and not as warm.  The crew has worked hard to keep the course clean.  Typically after each heavy rain we spend time repairing bunkers, which can take a day and a half to complete.


I hope you and your family have a great Holiday season!


See you on the course!


Andy

Course update

We have been very busy on the course.  Lots of leaves to blow each and everyday.  Often times we will blow an area multiple times the same day.  The weather has been awesome.  Cool in the mornings, but by lunchtime we are shedding layers because the warmth of the sun.  We have been very fortunate with the temperatures for recovery of the leaf spot outbreak early in the month.  Typically the weather has turned much cooler by mid October.  As I look at the 10 day forecast it seems that warm trend will continue.  But as you know Georgia weather can change very quickly and I suspect we will have a frost within 2 weeks.


I wanted to talk about the "mud" on 2 and 7 greens.  For a reason in which I can't explain, earthworms have enjoyed taking up residence in those greens.  Each morning when we arrive to mow, nearly all of the surface is covered with mounds of dirt.  We tried many things, including running water to reduce the amount of dirt before we mow.  We tried blowing the dirt off, but there was no good way.  Eventually the dirt began to pack down and create a layer and choke out the grass.  So, we went out with a high pressure hose and flooded and washed the mud out and off the green. By doing that it allowed those chocked out areas to breath and get sunlight. We applied a few products that have worked in controlling the issue, and recovery is in progress.


I would like to introduce Tony Mosley, my new Assistant Superintendent.  Tony joined us in early October and brings great knowledge.  He has previously served as a Superintendent in the early 2000's before getting out of the golf business.  I am sure you will get a chance to meet and get to know him.


See you on the course!


Andy

Leaf Spot/Pythium

Greens Update:


What is another way to tell Fall is here?   The arrival of disease pressure on the greens.  This is a battle each season.  When we get into periods of cloudy, overcast,  rainy and damp conditions the fungus attacks.  It thrives in that type of environment.  The end of September has provided exactly that.  Leaf spot and Pythium have reared its ugly head.  I have applied 3 types of fungicide to control it.  While this fungus is mostly aesthetic the greens continue to put very well.  Recovery time depends on the weather.  Out of the last 10 days, we have seen the sun ONE DAY, and it has rained 8 of those days.  Bermuda grass needs sunlight. This weeks forecast looks great with Sunny days and highs near 80.  The greens will bounce back, please be patient.  Now let the sun shine!

Fall is here...

Fall is here, grass has slowed its growth and leaves are falling.  Mornings have been cool lately and afternoons comfortable.  I love this time of year.  With the approaching cooler weather we prepare.  Listed are a few things which are very important this time of year.


-Raise the Height of cut on Tees and Fairways from .5" to .6"
-Raise Greens HOC from .125" to .135",  We will do this as the temps get cooler with an end result of .160"
-Pre-emerge golf course for winter annual weeds
-Apply preventative fungicide for Spring Dead Spot
-This time also allows us to catch up on bed detail and spraying weeds in beds
-I plan to address several bunkers that are low on Sand
-Repair any leaks or broken Irrigation


We always have a project list in the Fall/Winter, and we work hard to complete it.


What is another way to tell Fall is here?   The arrival of disease pressure on the greens.  This is a battle each season.  When we get into periods of cloudy, overcast,  rainy and damp conditions the fungus attacks.  It thrives in that type of environment.  The end of September has provided exactly that.  Leaf spot and Pythium have reared its ugly head.  I have applied 2 types of fungicide to control it.  Now let the sun shine!


See you on the course!


Andy

Busy August and looking forward

August was HOT!  It was our warmest month so far, but as I write this it is 58 degrees.  This morning was beautiful.  Fall is on the way.  With that said, we will soon be doing cultural practices to prepare the course for cold weather.  Tuesday September 8 we will close the course for our final core aerification of the season.  We will get more aggressive with the verticutting, pull a 1/4" core, topdress heavy and fertilize.  I anticipate full recovery in 2 weeks.  We will also begin to monitor the temperatures, that will dictate raising the height of cut and reducing the amount of growth regulator applied.  The days are getting shorter, we need maximum growth going into Fall.


September is the time in which we Pre-emerge the course for winter weeds.  Last Fall we had perfect timing and I am hoping for similar results this year.  I would also encourage you to do the same on your lawn.  There are many products out there and I can help steer you in the right direction.


NCC's annual Club Championship was held August 15,16 with a field of around 70.  Carson Vaughn won with rounds of 75-75.  Pick Parks won the Senior division, Ernie Bell won Super Senior and Ms. Nina Fanning claimed the Ladies Championship.  The course was playing tough.  The roughs have become thick and greens were fast.  In fact, I have had quite a few folks mention that they have never been as fast as they were for the tournament.  Yes, I would love to keep them like that, but it's just not that simple.  Overall I was very proud of the condition of the course.  I heard many positive comments.  It is always nice to hear those nice things after putting in the hours to get it there.


Call2Cut tree service was out Monday to remove 5 dead pines.  The most noticeable was on the left side of 9 fairway.  It was struck by lightning  July 19. 


We received 4+" of rain last week and we are just over 5" for the month.  We are slightly ahead of our annual rainfall total.

July Recap

Well, we continue to be busy on the course.  I am very proud and appreciative of my staff for the effort they have put in this season.  Working conditions have been tough and challenging.  July 6 all greens were verticut, aerified, sanded and fertilized.  We were fortunate to receive a few timely rain events to help with recovery.  The recovery process went very well, in fact we aggressively verticut and sanded them again 7 days after aerification.  This really helped smooth out the surface.  We had 19 days to have them great for The Kirby.  We accomplished that.


Speaking of The Kirby, I thought the course was in great shape.  Greens were rolling smooth and with a good pace.  I played this year and heard numerous compliments, all positives!  Brad Harden won this year with a +1 total.  The course was playing tough.


We received 5 1/2" rainfall in July, bringing the yearly total to 38".  We are just above average for the year.  And although we have received adequate rainfall we are pretty dry.  The intense heat dries us out very quickly.  Last rainfall was July 19.


We are preparing for Club Championship, August 15,16


I have sprigged a nursery green at the far end of the Driving Range.  I anticipate 8-10 weeks grow in.  This will allow us to utilize plugs from there instead of the chipping green when repairs are made.  Speaking of repairs we plan to address the front of #12 green and back of #13 green in the coming weeks.


Next Greens Aerification---Tuesday Sept 8, day after Labor Day. 


See ya on the course!


Andy