FYI 9/20/19

9/20/19

Golf Maintenance FYI

·         The golf course continues to improve from the cultural practices completed last week. The greens still had some excessive sand on them over the weekend and Monday morning due to the aerification and topdressing performed last Tuesday. The greens were brushed and mowed Monday afternoon and showed significant signs of improvement.

·         The greens were sprayed with a fungicide on Wednesday that will prevent any disease pressure over the next month. With ‘feel like’ temperatures still in the low 100’s the stress index on our turf remains high. The greens were sprayed with a liquid fertilizer on Thursday to continue the spoon feeding of nutrients to the turf. Looking at the greens today, Thursday, it is impressive that they have recovered so quickly from the aerification and verticutting performed last week.

·         All bunkers were edged and weeded this week providing a crisp, defined edge. The Kipp Schulties bunker design receive many compliments from golfers. The Green and Grounds Committee will be reviewing the bunker sand in the coming months. Several bunkers are below the normal level of sand and several have contamination of native soil and gravel. These issues are predominantly from the effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017 when there was considerable erosion.

Hole 3 Greenside Bunker

·         All lake banks were manually string trimmed this week. Due to the high-water levels in the lakes our machinery cannot easily get close to the waters edge without causing ruts or possibly getting stuck.   

·         A new irrigation zone has been installed along the maintenance fence on Hole 3. The new sprinklers will be used to irrigate the Clusia that were installed last week and will also help with the historical wet areas in the rough as you exit 3 Fairway. Compliments to Luis Altuzar, our Irrigation Technician, for his tireless work.

·         We began work this week on lowering turf along cart path edges where rain and irrigation water collect. The sod is first cut and rolled back then the excess soil removed and leveled before putting the sod back in place. It is a tedious task however, the improvements in appearance from not having standing water each day is worth the effort. During this process, the excess soil is used to fill in sink holes along the rock walls caused by the excessive rain in the summer months.

Hole 3 Cart path – All areas are marked Ground Under Repair

·         It is exciting to see an Osprey utilizing the platform located near the bathroom on Hole 4. Hopefully this will be the season to have a successful nest and offspring.

Our Osprey enjoying the view from its perch on Hole 4

·         The roughs and fairways are responding well to last weeks fertilizer application and are growing up to their new heights. Roughs are now mowed at 1.75 inches and Fairways at 0.500 inches. These heights will help to provide improved definition on the golf course.

Hole 18 Fairway, Tuesday September 17, 2019

·         We have been experiencing issues with our equipment wash station over the past month. The system was installed 15 years ago and is now starting to show signs of wear. Considering that the machine was outside in the elements for all those years it is impressive that it has performed so well for this long. The Green and Grounds Committee will be reviewing this piece of equipment in the coming months.

                  

            Black water from the equipment wash station is quite disgusting

·         The clock project remains on time and as planned. The electrical wiring has been installed and the concrete foundation was poured on Wednesday. The small retaining wall be constructed by the end of next week with the pavers installed soon after that. The clock is expected to arrive the week of October 7 and will be installed the week of October 14.

Our members donated $37,125 to the project. All hourly labor, pavers, concrete and wiring is being charged back to the project. The clock comes with a 1 year warranty and maintenance program. It has a GPS time management system that will reset the time in the event of a power outage. More information can be found at www.verdin.com.

Compliments to David Forrey for his efforts on this project.

David Forrey connecting the wires in the foundation prior to the concrete. The foundation is over 6 feet deep.