FYI 7/5/19

7-5-19

Golf Maintenance FYI

·         What a difference a week makes! It is still hot and humid with heat advisory warnings being issued by the county as the heat index approaches 110 degrees. However, we have now had over 6 inches of rain in the past week and the turf, and your Superintendent, could not be happier.

The heat index at 3 PM, July 4, 2019

·         Compliments again to Tina Fry for fertilizing the greens on Tuesday afternoon in what would I believe to be one of the hottest days I can remember. Pushing a 70-pound spreader across all 20 greens in that humidity was simply an amazing effort. Tina was determined to get it done as we knew rain was coming Wednesday and wanted the course to look its best for the Fourth of July tournament on Thursday. Her efforts are simply amazing so please thank her next time you see her working out on the course.

·         Compliments continue for my staff that are currently trimming all the golf course plants. They work from 6 AM to 4 PM with a hedge trimmer in one hand and a rake in the other. It truly is exhausting work. The trimming removes woody material, provides for new succulent growth and improves playability.

·         A big thank-you to Char Swob for providing Pedialyte powder to our workers to put in their ice water to replenish lost electrolytes. It truly makes a difference and is appreciated by all the staff.

·         Compliments to David Forrey for his work at the golf maintenance building adding a hot water heater to the Chemical room and re-piping the wash sink and rinsate tanks. His work over the past 9 months at our new facility is to be commended.

·         The rain on Friday afternoon, July 5 was simply extraordinary with almost 2 inches of rain falling in less than an hour. There was substantial flooding on the course; however, within a short period of time the course had drained and was quite playable.

Rain on Hole 18 green from looking from the Clubhouse. The green is covered in water and looks like it is joining the lake behind it. Within 2 hours golfers were back out on the course.

Hole 13, July 3, 2019

·         The turf grass has responded well to the rain over the past week and is looking great. I received many compliments from our members that enjoyed the 4^th of July golf tournament.

·         I have been invited by Bayer Crop Science to be a guest speaker at an event they are hosting in Naples next Thursday. The event is called “Focus on Florida” and is highlighting some of the successful local Superintendents in the area.

·         I look forward to the summer closure starting on Monday. All turf areas will be verti-cut, aerified and top-dressed. There will be an extraordinary amount of work performed and I am hopeful that Mother Nature cooperates and keeps the rain away during the day.