Course Update

We are now experiencing some warm weather and high humidity that feels like summer is finally here. This is when we roll into another phase of our season such as water management.  This involves dusting off the hoses and taking inventory so that we can prepare ourselves for when we really get into hand watering mode. Hand watering is very beneficial practice when maintaining bent grass here in the Mid-Atlantic. Sure we do have irrigation heads that we can run but it would not apply the right amount in certain areas that deem to be hydrophobic (or dry), remember not all areas may be dry and this could lead to saturated conditions which promotes disease and turf loss.  Essentially this is completed tee to green during summer months. We are always looking for ways to cut cost and find supplies cheaper. In years past we have found that cheaper hoses just do not last because of the water pressure we run for the irrigation system, as compared to your house pressure we are more than double that. So we cannot skimp on the hose but we did find a nozzle that we tested out last year and it performed well if not better than the standard high flow nozzles that our vendors sell us.

Pictured left is the nozzle that sells for about $85, the nozzle
on the right sells for $18 and this is sold at a local store that has
life time warranties on their name brand products!

This year we have implemented rolling approaches when we roll greens. I can already tell that they are becoming firmer which is good for the golfer but I am looking at it from a turf grass disease stand point. You see, there has been numerous research that light weight rolling decreases the chances of dollar spot on greens. We are simply taking this knowledge and applying it to our fairways. By combating this very common disease we can hopefully see a reduction in dollar spot. Now this is not something new and they actually have a fairway rolling machine on the market. Our goal right now is to roll fairways twice a week and keep scouting for dollar spot and take note how this practice is helping. And all be darn if you can see an increase in your drivers distance with firm fairways!

Our rolling program

Fairway rollers in action at another course, these are much
faster and efficient. 

Finally, our teaching green is starting to get a little fuzzy. Seeds are popping every where and before we know it, this green will be back to normal. I am projecting it to be ready by July but keeping traffic to a minimal until we get through the summer.