An Observation

Plastic ball markers are mower friendly.  Steel ball markers are not.

EAB Making Progress

The Emerald Ash Borer has really been working on our green ash trees at the club.  In comparison with our predominant, native stands of bur/white oak and shagbark hickory trees, the green ash is a messy weed that is poorly structured and does not fit our landscape.  Removals continue.

As the borer eats the vascular tissue of the tree and cuts off the pathway to bring water and nutrients to the canopy, ash go through what appears to be drought stress.  As a last ditch effort to survive, suckers begin to sprout in low areas of the trees and will eventually work their way down the trunk until they remain only at the very base....not very attractive.

Many of the trees in the parking lot islands are ash, and
we do not expect them to be alive (or standing) by the end of the summer.

Tree Removals/Plantings

Several dead trees will be removed throughout the golf course this week.  The drought from last year has expidited the decline of trees infected with Pine Bark Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer.  Now that the last of our live trees have foliage, dead trees have become evident and will be removed.  The willow that was damaged in the fall of 2011 by beavers has met its end as well.  As turf managers, we are not disappointed to see giant weeds, such as willow trees, removed from the golf course.

Replacements for the trees that are being removed have already been planted, although some in more practical areas for screening purposes.  In total this spring there have been five red oaks, one swamp white oak, four norway spruce, and two red maple trees planted at the driving range, clubhouse, and golf course. 

Swamp White Oak #10 Dog Leg

Red Maple at Driving Range
A moderately fast grower without the mess of a silver maple.

Willow Removal #13

Poa Annua Seedhead

One characteristic of Poa annua is its ability to produce very large amounts of seed at the lowest of mowing heights.  There are growth regulators that are used to suppress seed head production of Poa annua, but they often deliver 50% - 60% control, meaning that we will usually see some amount this time of year.  Production tends to be more prolific during wet springs such as the one we have had. 

The seeds that are out there will be with us for several weeks prior to turning brown and falling off.  As seen in the picture below, some types of Poa annua do not produce as much as others.  The spot just beneath the golf ball is a more compact, darker green biotype that rarely grows seed heads.

Wetting Agents

April showers were numerous this year, but so far the golf course has dried down very well creating some nice playing condtions in the month of May.  After a droughty year like 2012, we have made some adjustments to our maintenance program in order to provide better conditions in the future.  One of those adjustments is the use of wetting agents in problematic areas before they become larger issues.  By staying ahead of these areas, we will set ourselves up to run nightly irrigation less often for the sake of keeping very small areas moist.  This will equate to less soggy conditions on a higher percentage of playing surface. 

Granular wetting agents can be great for spot treatment.
They are also very economical.

Won't the wetting agent make things more soggy?  No.  When used properly, wetting agents help water penetrate deep into the soil and can temporarily relieve localized dry spots (LDS).  LDS are masses of soil that repel water as opposed to attracting it and can become very difficult to rewet once they are dry.  Wetting agents have the ability to temporarily change the charge on the exterior of the soil particles and make it behave more like normal soil, which has an attraction to water.  This means that water will go down into the soil as opposed to staying up in the thatch.  Days just prior to rain are great times ot use wetting agents so that their effectiveness can be maximized.



LDS often show up on our tees.



Wetting agent pellets can also be used in hose applicators.
These are also great for spot treatment.



The ease of use is apparent for a tee that already needs to be hand watered.

Monday Funday

Monday.  The day of the week that employees take a day of rest while the club is closed....right?  Not at Grounds & Greens Department!  Here, it is our most productive day of the week and a chance to perform tasks that would otherwise be disruptive to play.  Without golfers, there would be no need for us, but that isn't to say that we would give up the opportunity to make uninterrupted improvements to the golf course.  Below is a list of things that we were able to accomplish today:

• Till composted oak leaves into flower beds
• Fill all range divots
• Mow rough and banks at range
• String trim at range
• Pull weeds at range
• Remove two dead spruce trees at range
• Topdress approaches
• Aerify approaches
• Deep tine aerify fairways
• Verticut fairways
• Mow tees/collars
• Mow rough and banks on the front nine
• Mow fairways with a dry cut in the afternoon
• Water sod throughout the golf course
• Spray herbicide on dandelions

Finishing Touches on 11 Green

XGD Drainage Systems is putting the finishing touches on 11 green this morning after being set back several hours by rain yesterday.