Golf Course Update

The first half of October has provided truly phenomenal weather for both golf play and turfgrass management.  Summer’s abundance of rainfall hydrated the soils to an ideal level.  Although rainfall so far in October has been sparse, the ample soil moisture combined with cool nights and mild days has allowed for a textbook-perfect grass growing environment.  The warmer than average temperatures have continued into the fall with a record temperature high of 87 degrees Monday October 17^th.  The trees have begun to show fall colors much later than last year and many trees are still green.  As of recent, normal routine maintenance has taken much longer due to the fact that surfaces must be cleared of debris before mowing.  Also, some greens require debris removal six or seven times throughout the day for playability.  Mowing before blowing will cause damage to mowers and playing surfaces.  Generally, golf course maintenance is performed before golf play, however with this added step and shorter day length it becomes extremely challenging. 

The rough has thickened up considerably over the last month; aerification and over seeding in September followed by fertilizing in early October resulted in substantial germination of newer varieties of grass plants that are now maturing and integrating with existing plants.  The driving range tee was double-aerified and triple seeded in October.  The tee is filling in very well as the seedlings mature.  We greatly appreciate the sacrifice of the use of this tee as this tee will go into the winter months in excellent health with thick turf cover and in great shape for next spring.  The driving range grass tee top will remain closed for the rest of the 2016 year and open in the spring of 2017.  This time frame will allow the tee to fully recover before the seeding and growing season ends.  The green, tees and fairways continue to do well during the month of October and we are starting to see signs of root development and strength.

We have a few projects staring in the month of October and the beginning of November.  First on the docket is a cart path project.  Starting as early as October 24^th, the cart paths will be receiving some much needed attention.  All cart paths will be resurfaced on the golf course and some will be widened on an as need basis.  This will be a five day project, weather permitting.  Some cart paths will be closed for a day or two as the curing process takes place, we will post signs and communicate through the pro shop on a day to day basis to alert members of cart path closings.  Starting in November we will begin a tee restoration project on hole #4 and #6.  Over the years these tees, along with others, have become uneven and the majority of the teeing space has become unusable or unplayable.  Along with the tee surface itself, #4 and #6 tee have also lost their original shape and alignment.  We will strip the sod off the tee, reshape, level, square, surface drain, realign and sod the tee box.  This project will improve the aesthetics, teeing space, drainage and the overall playability of these holes.  While we are under construction we ask all golfers to utilize the temporary teeing space located to the right of #4 tee and the Ladies/Senior tee on hole #6.  Weather permitting, the tees will be ready for the golf season next year.       

I would like to conclude by announcing that Mr. Curtis Keller, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, had his last day at Illini Country Club on October 14th.  Curtis accepted the position of Golf Course Superintendent at Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course in Hollister, Missouri.  This move will provide Curtis with the opportunity of managing his own golf course and hosting an annual PGA Tour Champions event “Legends of Golf”.  Curtis’ ties to Illini Country Club will remain strong, however, and he greatly appreciates the relationships and experiences he gained here.  We will begin our search for a new Assistant Golf Course Superintendent January 1^st of next year. 

Golf Course Update

Fall is quickly approaching, and if you ask our stressed turf areas, it can’t come soon enough.  The extreme heat and humidity this season has created some of the most challenging conditions for managing turfgrass in recent years.  This year, Illinois experienced its wettest August, and second wettest summer on record in combination with above average temperatures.  The story has been much the same for most of the country this summer, many courses resulting in significant turf loss on greens, tees and fairways .  Thanks to the efforts of dedicated golf course maintenance staff members, the Illini Country Club grounds have withstood this year’s challenges as absolutely well as possible.  September is traditionally a very busy month for the Green Department, as we perform maintenance to encourage turf recovery from summer stress, and also make preparations for a strong finish to the season.

The first item of note is our fall aeration program.  Like most of our maintenance practices this season, we have needed to modify our plans for aeration based upon the weather.  We feel that after enduring this summer’s heat and humidity, the greens may not be in a position to withstand the physical demands of core-aeration without incurring possible damage.  Therefore, once the hot weather breaks, we plan to use less aggressive solid “needle-tines” on the greens, followed by lighter than normal topdressing sand applications.  In conjunction with the greens, the fairways will also receive solid-tine aeration as well as a verticut to reduce grain.  You may have noticed where we have been fine-tuning our verticut process on the beginning of #5 fairway.  The tees have already received their aeration and topdressing, and are recovering nicely.

Early fall is when we also begin tackling on-course projects in addition to routine maintenance.  We have begun slit-seeding new grass seed into rough areas weakened by summer stress, and also backfilling and seeding the cavities remaining where the stumps of removed trees have been ground down.  We are also on the cusp of “leaf-drop season”, when we will be spending several hours each day clearing leaves from greens, tees, fairways, and bunkers before mowing and maintaining these areas.

Finally, just a quick reminder that although the calendar says it is fall, the thermometer is still reading summer.  Bentgrass areas (greens, tees, and fairways) still require a lot of meticulous care to help recover from the brutal summer season and to meet member expectations as well as our own standards of maintenance.  We are continuing to employ several tactics to help protect these valuable playing surfaces, including a rigorous water management program and limiting cart traffic on these areas.  Regarding cart usage, a general rule of thumb is to not continually follow worn paths.  Try to spread out your cart traffic even if it means going a little out of your way.  NEVER drive within about 50 yards of greens (unless you’re on a designated cart path).  These areas are especially susceptible to damage by the wheels of golf carts.  NEVER drive onto or close to tee boxes, either, unless on the cart path, keeping all four wheels of the cart on the path where provided.  Observe all cart signs while on the course.  During wet or extreme heat conditions we may ask golfers to keep carts in the rough and on cart paths or exercise the 90 degree rule, which means entering and exiting the fairway at a 90 degree angle limited the travel time on the bentgrass.  Cart restrictions will be posted daily on the Golf section of the club’s website, as well as posted on golf carts, and communicated through the Golf Shop staff.

Prepared by, Curtis Keller