Spring Updates

With spring in full swing the maintenance staff is busy recovering from aerification and working to provide superb course conditions.  A practice that we started last year to help improve our bunker consistency was to roto-till all bunkers.  Now that the winter storm systems have subsided we will once again go through all bunkers to “bust up” the sand and provide the most consistent hazard possible.  This is a practice that we will complete twice a year before and after the winter rains.

Here is a picture of the process that will take place in the next few weeks

 

The putting green opened the first week in April and is off to a great start.  I want to remind everyone that this surface is only 6 weeks old and it will take time to mature and produce results that we are looking for.  We have started to slowly lower the mowing heights and I would anticipate that by the middle of May we will be consistent with the rest of our putting surfaces.  Remember that there are two types of bent cultivars on the putting green, see if you can differentiate the two.

 Throughout this winter we have been busy building some new T surfaces.  The tees where built from our Master T- Plan developed by course architect, John Harbottle.  John’s plans show the proposed placement and shape of the new tees.  We started implementing John’s plan this past winter with the construction of three new ladies T’s.  If you have not noticed them by now, they are located on # three (2) tree, # sixteen (1) tree and # seventeen (1) tree.  Having a reputation as one of Nor Cal’s most challenging ladies course the construction of some new tees is going to help level the playing field for our Lady golfers.  Budget permitting throughout the near future we will continue to implement sections of the Master T Plan.  If anyone would like to view the entire Master Plan please feel free to swing by and I would love to go over them with you. 

Getting ready for Sod!

Putting Green Conversion

On January 30th we started the process of rebuilding the putting green .  This process involved coring out 7" of the existing sand profile, installing a new sand mix out 90% USGA spec sand with 10% Canadian peat moss.  Once the growing medium was installed the final step was to sod the surface with our two types of bent cultivars.  Below is a list of steps with a little more detail and some pictures to give you and idea of what was involved in the whole process.

The first step in the entire process was to use a transit( laser level) to shoot 95 points on the green so that we could keep the original integrity of the green.  After removal of the Poa contaminated surface and existing sand profile we would shoot the 95 points again to fill back to the original contours.  When we shot each point the second time, a grape stake would be installed with a black marking to indicate where the new sand should be filled.  When filling the core with our new sand, these points would ensure the new surface matched the original contours.

This photo shows the the finished product of removing the sod and 7" of existing sand mix.  It was important for us to remove 7" of sand so that we could replicate what type of sand mix that we want to move forward with in the future when the time comes to rebuild all of our current putting surfaces.

Completion of removal and all 95 grape stakes shot and marked.  Ready for new mix.

Once we completed the removal and shooting of all points we were ready to bring in our new sand mix.    We used our Dakota topdressing to help with the install of sand.  While installing the new sand mix it was important to run our vibratory plate along with some water to ensure that we would not have any settling.  We wanted a nice compacted sand ready for sod install.

Bringing in the new mix.

Installing new sand mix composed of 90% USGA spec sand sand and 10% Canadian peat moss.  This peat is added to help with water holding capacity of the profile.

Half way home

Doing the final compacting and watering before sod install.

 Once we had the new sand installed and compacted we were ready for sod install.  Before the sod was installed we needed to add a few necessary amendments to the soil and some final fine grading.

Applying the amendments and final hand raking. Ready for sod.

The final step in the whole process was to install the sod.  We had West Coast Turf install our bent this morning (2/15).  Really pleased with the quality of our new bent grass and look forward to our members reaction.  Would anticipate opening the first week in April and possibly earlier with some cooperation with Mother Nature.  Below are some pictures from the sod install.

Big rolls of bent.

Installing the bent

Finishing it off!

Complete.

Moving forward we will be waiting approximately 4-5 days until we can start to do some light rolling with our hand mowers.  Light application of sand topdressing will be made to help with the healing process.  We will also be foliar feeding the turf to supply the plant with necessary amounts of N-P-K to help with the establishment.  We will keep everyone posted with the progression and an opening date.