TPC HARDING PARK DAILY COURSE CONDITIONING GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 TPC HARDING PARK DAILY COURSE CONDITIONING GUIDELINES TPC Harding Park strives to maintain daily conditions consistent with a premium municipal property with the reputation of TPC Harding Park and the TPC Brand. Enclosed in the following document are the general, and specific guidelines, and standards for daily golf course conditioning and related facility standards required to achieve this goal. Following these guidelines will help create and sustain a premium quality product consistent with the expectation of those who play the course and which is capable of driving maximize potential revenues while reducing significant deferred maintenance expenses in the future. Additionally, adherence to these guidelines will result in a better maintained City asset and public amenity. The City shall make its best effort to maintain the TPC Harding Park golf course and infrastructure in a condition that, with minimal effort, can be ready to host a PGA TOUR event. Additionally, the City will provide, subject to available resources, best effort to maximize the customer playing experience and meet public expectations for a TPC. The City shall in good faith collaborate with PGA TOUR Agronomy to develop an Annual Agronomy Plan as outlined in the Master Tournament Agreement Section 5(h) and in the Letter of Agreement dated March 3, 2010 which incorporates PGA TOUR Agronomy recommendations. The City is responsible for executing the Annual Agronomy Plan with the objective to have the golf course tournament ready and to meet daily golf course conditioning goals. In order to maintain a healthy golf course, premium conditions, and be tournament ready the following standards should be maintained. The golf course is the most important asset and is what generates the vast majority of income. Additionally, it provides a high quality recreation for the citizens of San Francisco and is the stage for hosting world class golf tournaments. High quality and consistent daily conditioning is necessary, expected, and the hallmark of all TPCs. The following standards and guidelines have been set forth to help ensure the course is well prepared to host major golf tournaments and to achieve the best possible golf course conditions and to ensure the daily expectations of the guest are being met.

2 1. Section 1.0 GREENS The greens are the most vital surface on the golf course. They represent a large part of the inherent value of the asset and are a determining factor in the financial success of the property. Additionally, the quality, speed and smoothness of the greens receive the highest scrutiny from the public. In fact, the reputation of the course can be defined by the quality of greens at a golf course. Thus, the greens require meticulous attention and focus from the Golf Course Superintendent. In short, maintaining the wellbeing, health and playability of the greens should be the top priority day in and day out. This may include additional staff hours spent to produce top quality greens. Failure to insure robust health and top tier putting surfaces could result in lost revenue potential and possible additional expense to restore the putting surfaces to be PGA TOUR ready Greens should be kept healthy and pest/disease/weed free/ through the use of accepted turf management practices by implementing sound cultural, fertility and pest control programs. This includes managing intrusive grass species that are compromising the putting surface resulting in a mixed stand of grass on the greens. These agronomic practices should be based on the City s and PGA TOUR Agronomy Department s collaborative development of the Annual Agronomy Plan and incorporating the recommendations of the PGA TOUR Agronomy Department. The Annual Agronomy Plan includes: regular aerifications, spiking, verticuttings, grooming practices, fertility plan based on annual fertility analysis, regular topdressing, annual soil profile analysis, and disease and pest control, etc. The greens should be kept consistently firm, smooth, and putting true using appropriate grooming methods to control grain, maintain good texture and density, firm surfaces, and prevent excess thatch accumulation. These may include; periodic brushing, verticutting, grooming, rolling, topdressing, venting, rolling etc. The specific practices and frequencies are to be outlined in the Annual Agronomy Plan Green speeds should be maintained between 9.5 and 11.0 feet consistently throughout the course while not compromising the health of the plant. The green speed is singlehandedly the most identified quality of premium golf courses. Therefore, significant attention should be directed to the green speed The greens should be aerified and topdressed as required to prevent excess thatch/organic accumulation and layering. An annual soil profile analysis taken from several different greens should be completed to monitor organic matter accumulation and check for layering. A target organic matter content should be maintained below 3.5% in the top 3 inches. Organic layering should be prevented

3 by frequent light topdressings timed according to growth rates. Typically, two to three aerifications per year targeting 20% annual surface removal is required. The number of annual aerifications, tine size, and method of aerification must be adjusted according to the level of organic mat accumulation, compaction levels, and the green s performance Greens should be prepared daily for play by walk mowing, double mowing, rolling, or dew removal or combinations thereof to meet customer and TPC expectations for high quality putting surfaces and to meet green speed objectives. Adjustments will be made according to growth rates, and turf health. Height of cut will vary from approximately.140 to.100 to achieve the desired playing conditions and depending on manufacturer mower differences, and as turf and weather conditions allow The original greens edge must be maintained to prevent green creep from occurring and encroachment from surrounding undesirable turf The clean-up lap on the green should be mowed at least three days per week during the peak growing season and adjusted accordingly to growth and turf conditions All ball marks must be repaired daily. Sunken cups, old hole locations and scars on the greens should be repaired as they become apparent Collars should be kept mowed at a height ranging from.250 to.350. The collars are to be mowed at least three times per week in season and adjusted during the off season, or according to weather and growth patterns. Brushing and/or other cultural practices should be employed so they are appropriately groomed to prevent excessive thatch and grain accumulation and to promote a fine textured upright growth. 2. Section 2.0 TEES 2.1. The tees should be maintained in a healthy state, be predominantly pest/disease/weed free, drain well, have good texture and density, provide firm footing, and quality teeing surfaces. The agronomic practices to achieve these conditions should be based on the City /PGA TOUR collaborative Annual Agronomy Plan. The Annual Agronomy Plan includes: regular aerifications, spiking, verticuttings, grooming practices, fertility plan based on annual fertility analysis, regular topdressing, annual soil profile analysis, and disease and pest control, etc The tees should be aerified and topdressed as required to prevent excess thatch/organic accumulation and layering. An annual soil profile analysis taken

4 from several different tees should be completed to monitor organic matter accumulation and monitor for layering. Organic layering should be prevented through frequent light topdressing and timed according to growth rates. Typically, two aerifications per year, but the number of annual aerifications, tine size, and method of aerification must be adjusted according to the level of organic mat accumulation, compaction levels, and the tee performance The tees should be mowed at least three days per week, or more in the growing season, and adjusted as needed out of season and according to the weather and growth rates. Any grass clippings should be blown off after mowing and prior to play The tee mowing height should be maintained between.250 and.625. The tees should be cut as low as reasonably possible to achieve the desired results, but the achievable height of cut also depends upon turf conditions, climate and plant health Divots must be cleaned off and filled daily using the appropriate site specific mixture to promote fast recovery, maintain a level surface, and a clean appearance. Divot mix should be spread evenly into the holes and not left in piles Tee markers should be rotated daily to avoid wear. Proper rotation is from back to front, moving the markers forward until the end of the tee, and then starting back at the back of the tee. All markers should be placed with a T-line pointing at the landing area. Markers should also be placed 12 from each edge of the tee approximately 6 paces apart. 3. Section 3 FAIRWAYS 3.1. The fairways should be maintained in a healthy state, be predominantly pest/disease/weed free, drain well, have good texture and density, and provide good footing and quality fairway surfaces. The agromomic practices to achieve the required conditions should be based on the City/PGA TOUR Agronomy collaborative annual Agronomy Plan. The Annual Agronomy Plan includes: regular aerifications, spiking, verticutting, grooming, fertility plan based on annual soil fertility analysis, topdressing applications, and disease and pest control, etc The fairways should be aerified and topdressed as required to prevent excess thatch/organic accumulation and layering and to provide firm, dry fairways. An annual soil profile analysis taken from several different fairways should be completed to monitor organic matter accumulation and monitor for layering. To prevent layering a frequent, light topdressing program timed with growths rates and at a frequency and rate that prevents layering should be maintained. Typically,

5 two to three aerifications per year are adequate. The number of annual aerifications, tine size, and method of aerification must be adjusted according to the level of organic mat accumulation, compaction levels, and fairway performance Fairways should be kept mowed typically ranging in height between.350 and.650 depending on turf conditions, climate and plant health. The fairways must be routinely kept at the lowest height of cut that will provide a quality playing surface consistent with desired goals but without sacrificing turf quality and health The fairways should be mowed at least three days per week, or more often during the growing season, and adjusted as needed out of season and according to the weather and growth rates. Frequency should be enough to maintain a tight and consistent surface without generating an excessive amount of grass clippings Clippings from fairway mowing should be evenly dispersed, by dragging or blowing, so they are not left in piles or clumps prior to the arrival of play Divots should be cleaned up daily and filled with an approved, appropriate site specific mixture at least weekly during the growing season Drainage installations should be installed as required to address areas of excess water accumulation for promoting turf health and firm fairway conditions. Drain inlets should be periodically edged for a neat appearance and prevent blockage, and leveled as required Proper and consistent water management is critical to achieving quality playing conditions, course aesthetics, and conservation efforts. The irrigation system should be maintained and operated for efficient and proper operation to promote healthy turf and avoid areas of excess accumulation of water and excessively dry conditions. This includes proper irrigation and water management Best Management Practices (BMPs) including but not limited to: annual irrigation audit, proper spacing, sprinkler head leveling as required, ensuring proper nozzle performance, proper computer programing and site specific adjustments, pump station maintenance etc. 4. Section 4 ROUGHS 4.1. The roughs should be maintained in a healthy state, have minimal pests/diseases/weeds, drain well, and have good texture, density and uniformity. These agronomic practices should be based on the City/PGA TOUR collaborative Annual Agronomy Plan. This plan and recommendations are to include: regular aerifications, spiking, annual testing of fertility, and disease and pest control. etc.

6 4.2. The rough height of cut for daily play should typically range between 1.5 to An intermediate cut / walk path should be maintained at a HOC of 1.0 to 1.25 inches. The width of the walk path and fairway collar cut should be approximately 72 inches wide and tapering to 21 inches wide around greens, unless otherwise designated The frequency of rough mowing should be set according to growth rates to prevent excessive clipping accumulation on the surface and to promote healthy turfgrass. The frequency may range from less than once a week to two times per week at peak. Any accumulation of grass clippings should be dispersed shortly after mowing for a clean appearance and to prevent turf suffocation. 5. Section 5 BUNKERS AND HAZARDS 5.1. Bunkers should be fully raked daily in peak season and adjusted according to play levels. The bunkers must be at least inspected and touched up every day when open for play, regardless of play levels Bunker rakes must be PGA TOUR Competition approved rakes and consist of a minimum of 2 rakes per bunker, and 3 or more rakes on bunkers larger than 300 square feet. All bunker rakes should be evenly placed outside of the bunker and parallel to the bunker in line with play Bunkers must be kept free of weeds, algae, debris and rocks, and have a defined edge between sand and turf, or soil. The bunkers must be edged frequently enough to provide a clean, well-manicured appearance. This may require edging every 2 weeks at peak growing season to monthly, or less, out of season Bunkers should be checked regularly for appropriate sand levels and to ensure the drains are working correctly and repaired as needed. Bunker sand will need to be cultivated periodically to maintain proper conditions. This may be as often as once per week The bunker shape and integrity should be maintained by observing proper edging techniques and avoiding bunker creep. Any excess sand accumulation on the faces should be blown off and removed as needed to slow build up. Periodically, excess sand accumulation should be removed.

7 5.6. All water hazards and out of bounds (OB) markers should be in place as specified by the USGA Rules of Golf. The stakes should be an approved 2 x 2 stake, clean and freshly painted in appearance, installed straight and maintained on a regular basis. 6. COURSE SERVICE AND DETAIL STANDARDS 6.1. Holes should be rotated daily in season to a fresh area according to the playing conditions and pin location systems in place. Holes must be cut to the proper depth with a sharp edge and the cup liner set to exactly a one-inch depth. Holes may be changed less frequently during periods of low play levels Freshly painted cups should be rotated every two weeks. New cups should be implemented into rotation quarterly. The lip of the cup should be painted for special events New flags and poles should be rotated as necessary but replaced not less than quarterly, be fresh and new looking in appearance. Worn, soiled or damaged flags should be replaced immediately Tee markers should be in good repair. Replace worn or damaged markers as necessary All fencing, rope and stakes should be inspected on a regular basis. The rope and stakes should be moved as needed to control traffic and prevent excess wear Cart paths must be kept clean, edged and in good repair. Cracks in the paths are to be free of weeds and grass growth. Grass and or debris accumulation should be removed/blown off the paths prior to play for a clean presentation Sprinkler heads with yardage markings and sprinkler heads located in the fairways and around greens should be edged routinely to maintain a clean and groomed appearance. All yardage marker sprinkler heads should be regularly checked and replaced if missing or damaged Hazard stakes should be checked daily for condition, proper location and should be straightened as needed Tee consoles / hole signs should be inspected daily for damage, repaired as required, power washed as necessary, wiped clean daily, and in general have a freshly painted clean appearance All landscape beds and mulch beds should be predominantly weed free with healthy plants. Mulch should be freshened as required.

8 6.11. All trees should be kept in good health and trimmed of suckers and low hanging branches Shelters and other wooden structures are to be kept in good repair and freshly painted or treated All signs must be clean, in good repair and freshly painted. 7. Section 7 PRACTICE AREA 7.1. Putting green cups should be rotated as needed depending on the size of the putting green, seasonal changes, growth, play levels and turf conditions. This may be as often as daily to only twice per week Multiple flags will be positioned on the chipping green each day and moved weekly. The flags will be the same as used on the golf course All divots around the chipping green must be picked up or blown off and the divot holes filled regularly The putting green and chipping greens walked mowed daily in the growing season, prior to the start of play. Greens must be prepared for play on a daily basis through mowing, rolling, or dew removal. The height of cut should match the golf course, or be adjusted according to conditions and to match the same speed as on the golf course greens. 8. Section 8 CLUBHOUSE AND ENTRANCE The clubhouse is the first impression of the club and it is important to make a good impression on the guests. The entry, parking lot and all traffic areas must be maintained consistent with a premium municipal property with the reputation of TPC Harding Park and the TPC Brand A healthy and pleasing landscape should be established and maintained 8.2. Trees should be kept in good health, trimmed of unwanted growth, low hanging branches, and for safety concerns. Shrubbery should be pruned as needed for health and for a pleasing appearance Annual color beds and pots should be changed as needed to maintain a quality and colorful presentation. No dead plant material.

9 8.4. All landscape beds and mulch beds should be predominantly weed free with healthy plants Weed growth in cracks of hardscape should be removed and maintained virtually free of weed growth.