Fishing

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that there is NO FISHING in the ponds. I know there are a few homeowners that like to catch and release in the ponds on the course, unfortunately I cannot allow this anymore. Due to the reclaimed water source that we are using I cannot risk the legal repercussions of something happening. Now that we have fountains back in the ponds on # 12 and #13 we have to pull them out occasionally for maintenance. Last time I got an old hook in my hand that someone hung on the anchor rope for the fountain. On the positive side the fountains and the chemical applications that we are making in #11-13 ponds seem to be having good effect on the plant life that is targeted for removal. Unfortunately, I cannot make the same chemical applications in the pond on #18 due to the fact that it is the pond that we draw water for irrigation. Chemical label restrictions will not allow me to apply certain chemicals in this pond at certain times. I am constantly looking for a solution for the problem to the duckweed on #18. Just to solve the issue the lime green stuff floating on the surface is Duckweed, The plant like material that puts out a yellow flower is Primrose, pretty at times but a weed none the less.

Finally Green

Thankfully we made it out of the brutal winter that we had, and we're seeing green grass now. Unfortunately, some of the tighter mown areas (below 0.75") are having trouble making it into the new season. You may have noticed that we are in the process of re sodding the collars around the greens where the current turf is weak or non-existent. We are re sodding the collar with Zoysia Grass, which will benefit us in many ways. It will create a border to keep back encroaching Bermudagrass, It will also come out of dormancy earlier than Bermuda will, and hopefully it will provide a better playing surface for a collar mown at about 0.300".

You may have noticed that some of the areas in the fairways look a little sparse. Most of these areas are the same areas that We had trouble with two years ago. They seem pretty confined to landing areas and north facing slopes. Fortunately we have ryegrass out in these areas to fill in the gap for now. Unfortunately, the Ryegrass can help contribute to the fairways coming in slower than normal. The rye and bermuda are competing for food, water and sunlight. the bermuda will win the competition once the temperature gets high enough, and whatever can't stand the heat will be sprayed out by us to give the bermuda full reign of the tees and fairways.

Spring Green Up

Spring came early this year. I can't remember an April this hot and dry. The golf course is reflecting the weather we are going through. Club selection can be a little harder when your ball will get 20 yards more roll due to the firm fairways. Thankfully we are seeing temperatures that are below the 80 degree mark again. I think we actually hit 90 for a day or two around the middle of the month.

You may have noticed that our collars have some areas that do not want to grow in this spring. Some of these areas were weak last season but some areas were good and just don't seem to want to come back. I am attributing this to lack of fertility, traffic, and tighter mowing heights during an unseasonably cold winter (one that I am glad we are out of). We will start sodding some of theses areas in the next few weeks.

You may have also noticed the areas in the fairway and the rough, that are high traffic areas, that are not wanting to come back very well. Well, the only way I know to put it is that this is why we have cart path rules. Please follow the cart path rules. It's not a free-for-all after you hit the tee ball. I'll leave you with a image or two of what I'm speaking about.