Golf Course Conditions

The next few days look promising to allow for walking golf play.  After the ground completely thawed out last week, we have had several days of sunshine and wind making conditions conducive for walking golf play.  In the extended forecast, temperatures take a nose dive below freezing resuming the freeze/thaw pattern and a possible golf course closing.  We will continue to monitor the weather and keep you updated on the latest golf course conditions.   

This week the Green Department will concentrate its efforts on cleaning up around the tree lines on the golf course.  As you can see in the pictures below this is no easy task.  The 20 yard landscape waste container is completely full of just Sweetgum Tree debris and I would estimate that is about half of the Sweetgum tree debris on the golf course. We will continue our golf course clean up efforts through the next few weeks.  We will also have an opportunity to finish #1 walking bridge this week, which will complete our walking bridge restoration project.  In addition to replacing the planks on the walking bridges, we will also be adding cobble stones around supports of the bridge to elevate erosion.

Next week I will be out of the office attending the 2012 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education Conference and Golf Industry Show.  I am looking forward to attending several interesting classes and will be walking the trade show to absorb all of the new and upcoming product lines. 

Sweetgum Tree debris clean up

20 yard landscape waste container

Snow Fall is Hard to Come by This Year

This is an unusual sight, the golf course covered in snow.  I can count on one hand the number of days we have had snow cover on the golf course this year.  Monday was only our second measurable snow fall for the winter, which makes our snow fall total about 10" less than normal.  Believe it or not, the right amounts of snow cover can actually be beneficial to the golf course by protecting the grass from the harsh winter elements, which can lead to "winterkill".  Winterkill can be caused by a combination of factors including crown hydration, desiccation, low temperatures, wind exposure, ice sheets and snow mold. This year the unusual lack of snow cover on the golf course has exposed the grass almost the entire winter causing the grass to turn off color more than normal.  The "off color" appearance is actually the exposed older leaf blades and leaf blade tips, however with a closer look into the canopy lies green crowns and stems.  So far I have not seen any signs or symptoms of winterkill on the golf course, however I will continue to scout greens, tees and fairways on a regular basis.

Green #14 February 14th

Green Department's early morning snow removal 

(#3 bentgrass tee) green stems and crowns

Winter Golf Play

It is that time of year, cabin fever is starting to set in and spring is right around the corner.  Members have been asking when will the golf course be ready to play again?  Opening the golf course in the winter is one of the toughest decision for a Golf Course Superintendent to make.  Conditions have to be perfect to allow golf play and especially to allow golf carts out on the golf course.  The ground has to be COMPLETELY thawed throughout the soil profile and water can not be present near the surface of the ground.  Allowing golf play on a half frozen or a saturated golf course can quickly lead to many problems.  The colder air and soil temperature make it impossible for grass plants to metabolize and repair damaged tissue causing:

• Thinning turf
• Soil compaction
• Shearing action across the roots, rhizomes, and growing points of the plant, which is comparable to cutting the roots by using a sod cutter.

Turfgrass can become extremely susceptible to damage throughout the winter, so this must be closely monitored on a daily basis before allowing golf play.

February's Employee of The Month

Cody Duzan (Turf Equipment Technician) is Illini Country Club's employee of the month.  Cody is the newest edition to the Green Department's team.  Cody grew up in Oakland, Illinois where he began his career has a mechanic.  Cody has an extensive background in turf equipment and small engine repairs, including 6 years as the Golf and Turf Service Technician and the Construction Equipment Service Technician at Berkey's, a Jacobsen supplier for central Illinois area.  Since his arrival in June, Cody has made a instant impact to the entire turf equipment operation utilizing his enthusiasm, mechanical and organization skills.  It doesn't stop there, Cody has also played an integral part in the golf course aerfication processes and golf course projects such as the walking bridge restorations.  We are extremely fortunate to have Cody Duzan as our Turf Equipment Technician.   

 

Employee of The Month Cody Duzan

Bridge Restoration

Unseasonably warm weather that occurred through much of December and January has dominated into the first week of February.  Incredibly we were able to open the golf course for a few days for golf play last week, however the forecast for this week and weekend does not look as promising with high temperatures around 30 degrees.

The lack of snow cover and frequently unfrozen ground has provided the green department with many opportunities for golf course improvement projects at a time when disruption to golf play is at a minimum.  Last week we were able to begin improving the walking bridges on the golf course.  Most of the wooden planks on the bridges are starting to deteriorate from old age.  Our plan is to completely remove all old wooden planks and inspect the i-beam supports system for any signs of weaknesses.  Once the support system is inspected and repairs have been made we will plank the i-beams with new treated 2x6's.  This walking bridge restoration program will continue through the winter and all other bridges on the golf course will be scheduled to be improved or replaced in the upcoming years. 

Before

During

After