Golf Course Update June 2015

Transcription

1 Golf Course Update June 2015 Although this summer has not been as busy with projects as last, the maintenance staff has been very busy completing the first course closure of the Sabal course for cultural practices. The Sabal course was closed for six weeks beginning May 12 th and reopened on June 22 nd. Following the reopening of Sabal, the Royal course was closed on the 22 nd for six weeks to perform the same practices the Sabal course received. The weather has been very cooperative so far this summer allowing us to accomplish work scheduled without interruption. Sabal Course The greens were aerified twice utilizing 5/8 diameter x 4 deep coring tines spaced on 2 center. The greens were initially aerified, cleared off, rolled, topdressed, and drug in with a drag mat. The entire process was completed again with the addition of nutrient and soil amendments being added during the second aerification. This is done to ensure quick recovery and promote long term health of the greens. Aggressive verticutting applications were applied in several directions utilizing carbide tip blades at 1/4 deep. This practice displaces organic matter and reduces grain. Additional verticutting is carried out using less aggressive thinner metal blades 3/16 deep. This application cuts the grass stems vertically promoting new growth points along the stems. The greens receive routine fertility coupled with primo growth regulator which decreases vertical and promotes lateral growth in order to achieve recuperative density of the turf. Initial Aerification of Green #4 Sabal Green after Cores Have Been Collected

2 Second Aerification of #3 Green Aggressive Verticutting #9 Green Roll Dragging in Sand after Verticut #3 #3 Green on 6/15 The tees and fairways received deep verticutting 3/4" deep in four directions, cleaned, aerified, topdressed with 1/2" of sand, and aerified once more to incorporate the sand into the soil profile. Aerification coupled with topdressing reduces soil compaction and dilutes organic matter. Organic matter increases as the turf ages and results in increased water holding and the dreaded mud ball. Topdressing accomplishes many things including increased water and air movement in the soil, improved drainage, and increased firmness and smoothness. Selected areas of fairways received an application of compost material. The areas selected are typically higher elevated areas that dry out faster and have high nematode populations. Nematodes are more prevalent in sandy dry areas and feed on the root systems. Increasing organic matter in these elevated areas has resulted in improved growing conditions and better turf health in these areas.

3 Verticutting #1 Fairway Dragging after Verticut to Release Soil From Removed Material Vacuuming #3 Tee after Verticut Topdressing #2 Fairway

4 #18 Fairway Topdressed Aerifying #17 Fairway after Topdressing The collars also received an aggressive verticutting followed with aerification. Verticutting was done using a Graden walk behind verticutting unit. This unit utilizes a series of carbide tip metal blades where we verticut on two directions 1/2" deep. The verticutting debris was then removed and the collars were aerified with hollow coring tines 5/8 diameter x 4 deep on 2 spacing. The final practice in this process was applying sand topdressing and fertilizer. This practice removes organic matter, thatch, and reduces grain resulting in healthier turf. #3 Collar/Approach with Graden Verticutter same area three weeks later

5 The roughs received two aerifications. Traffic areas where carts and foot traffic to and from fairways, tees, and greens received three to four aerifications. This work was done utilizing a Toro 1298 fairway aerifier with 3/4 diameter tines spaced at 3.5 and 4.5 deep. All areas were drug with a drag mat once the cores dried to break away the soil from the cores. The areas were mowed with rotary rough units to chop up the remaining debris then blown off with a tow behind blower. The final process for all areas except greens is the application of fertilizer with Ronstar pre-emergent herbicide. The fertilizer consists of 95% slow release nutrients that will provide food for the turf throughout the summer. The pre-emergent herbicide creates a barrier on top of the soil profile significantly reducing emergence of weed germination. This reduces expense of labor and herbicides to treat post emerging weeds. We utilize an outside contractor for this application who utilizes a large spreader truck with a GPS system. This equipment applies the product with utmost accuracy without any overlap or voids which is very important with this fertilizer product. The contractor also completes the application in less than half the time it would take us to do. Rough Aerification #15 Sabal Fertilizer Application #12 Sabal Once all this work is complete, the healing process begins. The bulk of the work is completed within the first three weeks allowing three weeks recovery. This is enough time for the majority of most turf areas to recover however, some areas are slower and require more time. There will be a few thin areas and areas that received sod that will take an additional week or two to recover. These areas will be pushed with additional fertility and other practices to speed in the recovery process. A few areas will be painted ground under repair so that players receive relief

6 from these areas until full recovery is achieved. Overall most areas are recovering well and looking good. Thin area #12 Fairway/Approach Thin area #7 Green from verticutting #7 Sabal #8 Sabal

7 #10 Sabal #14 Green Sabal Both courses recently received wall to wall application of a product called Chipco Choice for mole cricket control. The product is slit injected into the soil and causes some noticeable lines which are minimal and disappear in a couple weeks. Mole crickets are one of the most damaging pests in Bermudagrass that tunnel beneath the turf surface and feed on roots. Damage can not only be discouraging to golfers but can also result in large expense for sod to replace damaged turf areas. This product is extremely safe with the active ingredient called Fipronil. Fipronil was initially used as a flea control product for pets and utilized as a flea dip product. Chipco Choice also works well in controlling fire ants. The product is slit injected as a dry product into the soil and remains stable for several months for excellent control. The labeling requirements only allow certified contractors to apply the product and is why we do not apply this product in house. Chipco Choice Application #10 Fairway Royal

8 Royal Course The Royal golf course has been open for play and remains in good condition without any major issues. As with Sabal the course received wall to wall treatment for mole crickets and fertilization. We have been carrying out weekly light verticut applications coupled with light topdressing to all of the greens. This aids in maintaining faster speeds and smoother putting surfaces. These practices are also recommended by the USGA as part of a good agronomic program to minimize thatch and accumulation of organic matter resulting in healthier putting surfaces. Verticutting depth varies in depth according to how aggressive you want the application to be. Typically we are less aggressive during cooler months when the turf is slower growing and more aggressive during the summer months. With the course open we have been verticutting 3/16 deep followed by a light topdress application. The greens are rolled and the sand in worked into the turf canopy with a light drag mat. We will continue this practice on the open course as needed. Frequency will depend on weather with less frequent applications with prolonged cloudy weather and more frequent with sunny and drier conditions. Verticutting #7 Green Royal Mowing Following Verticut

9 Topdressing #8 Green Royal Working Sand into Canopy #8 Green The Royal course closed on June 22 nd and is currently receiving the same cultural practices as the Sabal course. The rainy season is beginning to crank up so let s hope the weather cooperates like it did for Sabal and allows us to be as productive through the Royal closure. #7 and #9 Tees of Royal Nice and Green after some rain

10 Common Grounds The common grounds staff is also busy with regular maintenance and upcoming projects this summer. Summer annuals have been planted and some changes in the landscape have been made. The addition of knock out roses have been planted in the front of the clubhouse between the main entrance and pro shop. Existing older landscape was removed that was screening the clubhouse and new landscape was installed to accent this area. The new plantings are small but will fill in and provide a nice look as they mature. Bag Drop looking to Pro Shop Pro Shop looking to Bag Drop Coleus Bed by Cart Staging Area Caladiums at Enclave

11 Grass replacement is scheduled for July in the median and both sides of the clubhouse entrance. The existing Floratam grass will be removed and replaced with Celebration Bermudagrass. The front and rear of the clubhouse was completed last year providing an improved formal look. Planting Celebration and maintaining detail to the entrance will result in increased aesthetics to this area. I will provide more information along with pictures in the next update. The large ficus hedge along Washingtonia and Bismark is scheduled for trimming the last week in July. Selected Ficus trees on Queen Palm and Washingtonia will receive canopy reduction to maintain shape and size as part of the originally intended landscape at the same time. The next update will be sent out at the end of July or first of August. We will provide updates to both the golf courses and common grounds along with any new information. In closing I would like to provide a photo that our seasonal members usually do not get to see. Hope everyone is having a great summer and we ll see you soon. Royal Poinciana in full bloom #5 Sabal Greg Kriesch Director of Golf Course/Common Ground Operations