Fuel Management

One of my good friends, fellow Australian and Superintendent at Vanderbilt Country Club, Stuart Bothe was asking whether I had ever cleaned out our fuel storage tanks at Copperleaf. I mentioned that we use the recommended fuel filters, both on the tank and on the equipment and that fuel stabilizers are placed into the fuel each time the storage tanks are filled. However, I had never considered cleaning the storage tanks themselves.

He mentioned a local company, Clean Fuel and Tank, that he had recently used and so I called them up. Company owner, Randy Mote, came out to inspect our tanks and observed that our diesel and mixed gas tanks had some fairly significant issues with regard to contamination.

For a reasonable price, Randy was able to return with his filtration equipment and siphon the fuel through various sized screens and filters. Incredibly, Randy removed over 8 gallons of 'sludge' from the 200 gallons currently in the 400 gallon diesel tank.

The image below clearly shows the difference.




The container on the left shows the contaminated quality of the original diesel fuel. The container on the right shows what the diesel fuel now looks like after being filtered

Without question, the results have been significant. Improved fuel economy, increased efficiency of fuel filters and improved engine performance are all benefits achieved by completing this project. Copperleaf will now perform this task bi-annually, or as needed, to maintain the integrity of our fuel stored at the maintenance facility.



Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director if Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club

Coquina Waste Bunkers

Without question we have experienced an extremely busy golfing season over the past few months.
The amount of play and golf cart traffic have had a negative impact on our Coquina Waste Bunkers through compaction. Although the waste bunkers are raked twice weekly, the excessive compaction is not allowing our raking machines to penetrate down into the aggregate. The hardened surface has been proving difficult to hit from for all levels of golfers.
To address the situation, a self propelled roto-tilling machine was rented to penetrate down 3 inches and soften the material.




The rented machine, a Dingo skid steer machine from Toro with a cultivating attachment, was able to go down 3 inches and relieve the compaction the Coquina sand

Once the sand material was cultivated, one of our bunker raking machines, using a mid mounted scarifying attachment was used to smooth the surface. The end result was a much softer and forgiving playing surface for all. As an added bonus, the deep orange color of the Coquina shell was returned providing a great contrast between it and the dark green turf.

The Green and Grounds Committee is always listening to member feedback and continues to look for ways to improve the golfing experience for all members. Over the summer of 2012, several Coquina areas are planned to have their size reduced without affecting the integrity of the golf course.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at davidd@copperleafgc.com.

Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director if Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club

Rough Mowing

It is already that time of year again that our cultural practices to maintain healthy turf begin.
Last week, the mowing height of our rough was lowered from our winter height of 1.5 inches down to the summer height of 1.25 inches. This 1/4 inch reduction helps to remove the 'puffiness' of the thick Bermuda grass and provides a more even turf growth.
In the out of play areas where the grass has experienced little compaction from golf carts, the turf is scalped down and will take 2 to 3 weeks to adapt to the new height. In areas where cart traffic has been abundant, there is little to no effect.



The cart traffic area, seen here on hole 17, shows no effect to the lowered height. The area in the foreground will take several weeks to adjust to the lowered height.

Areas that are scalped down will produce grass clippings that will be cleaned up using the large turf vacuum. This machine, by Harper-Goosen, is new for this year and replaces our 2004 Toro 'Rake-O-Vac' unit. The new machine produces less dust which is great for those members close to the course.




This area of grass clippings will soon be cleaned up by our turf vacuum leaving a consistent area to play from.

In July and August, during our 9 day course closures, the rough will be cut at a height of 1 inch and also verti-cut to remove excessive organic material. This allows water, nutrients and oxygen to enter the soil more efficiently. It also helps to promote an improved ball lie where the ball does not sink down into the turf canopy.

The end result is a healthy and consistent playing surface for all to enjoy.

Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director if Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club