Friday, March 11, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Spring Update
Around the Course
March 2016
What a difference a year makes. Last season at this time the
golf and grounds staff was gearing up to remove over a foot of snow and ice
from our greens. Once cleared the severe winter kill we experienced last spring
was revealed, which lead to many hours of reseeding, sodding and pampering new
seedlings which carried throughout the 2015 growing season.
Fast forward to March 2016; the golf course is completely
free of snow and ice. The greens that were covered for the winter season will
have the covers removed this week, and all greens will be treated with an early
spring fungicide and desiccation (protection from wind burn) treatment. Our
initial examination of the putting surfaces shows some small areas of winter
disease, but nothing that I am too concerned about at this time. The grass is
still in dormancy and there are some areas of frost still under the playing
surfaces. The warmer weather will trigger a growth response on the surfaces and
if there is any winter injury, it will appear at that time.
Traditionally we open the greens the first week in April.
The earliest we have opened in my 38 prior seasons has been March 16th. Weather permitting, I will be
opening 15 holes and the short game as a par 3 Friday March 11th (4, 5, &6
will remain closed because of the construction last fall). Greens will be lightly top-dressed, brushed
and rolled before we open them and when indications of growth are present the
first mowing will start. There will be no carts until the ground firms up
enough to withstand traffic. It is important to realize that conditions change
quickly in the spring and if the weather does not cooperate we may be forced to
recover greens and close some of the putting surfaces.
We will post any changes and frost delays on the website
daily. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we move on through the
spring. I will be sending weekly updates as the spring progresses.
Staffing
There is a change to the makeup of my staff for 2016. Casey
Sheehy who has served as our Assistant Superintendent for the past two years has
moved on to a Lead Assistant position at Bryn Mare Country Club in the Chicago
area. We wish Casey all the best and thank him for his time with us. Tanner
Collins, who has served as our Second Assistant the past year will move into
Casey’s position . Ken
Welzien will continue his role as Senior Assistant.
Peter Rappoccio,CGCS
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