Checking ice levels under the snow

Opening a channel on #3

 Every winter that has a prolonged snow cover has Turf managers keeping their fingers crossed that the snow cover does not turn to an ice layer on the greens. Turf that is covered with ice can survive for a period of time without damage. Different turf grass varieties have different thresholds for survival. Bent grass is 90 days and bent/poa which is the predominate grass at Silver Spring can survive up to 60 days under ice. Our greens have been under snow and ice for 40 days.

Our ven-trac snow blower

 This past week the golf and grounds crew removed snow on several greens to see if any ice was present and if there was the thickness of the ice. Using hand shoveling and our mini ventrac snow blower, channels of snow on 3,6,8,9,1,and 18 were removed. A 1.5" layer of ice was present on all greens examined. Fortunately the mini thaw we experienced this past weekend quickly melted the ice and exposed the turf below. Presently the turf looks good.

The inspection team

 We will continue to monitor snow and ice levels throughout the winter and remove the snow and ice when levels dictate.

Ice on the 3rd green

Winter of 2014

Just adding to the pile

 Many hours of snow removal have added to the work load of the Golf and Grounds staff this winter. What seems like a endless series of snow storms has keep the crew busy plowing and keeping  our four paddle courts operational.  With over 11,500 square feet of decking and court space at the paddle facility; a six inch snow storm produces over 200 cubic yards of snow that has to be shoveled from the facility before play can start. Unfortunately the heaters under the court are a help in light dusting storms but whenever the snow amount exceed 2 inches its shovel first and use the heaters to melt the light coat the shovels leave.

Can you find the new tees on #3

View from the new forward tee on #3

Many thanks to my staff for the fine job they have done this winter keeping the paddle facility running on schedule.