The golf course is in excellent shape and primed for our final major event of the season, the Member Classic.
We have been very busy over the past few weeks with detail work leading up to this event. Mother nature is likely to cooperate and offer some great weather allowing us to provide excellent conditions.
#13 Green - April 17th, 2024 |
Our putting surfaces are healthy and performing exceptional. Fairways, Tees, Approaches and Roughs are also in great shape. The El Nino weather phase that we have experienced this winter is seemingly over, as temperatures have been warmer with a reduction in rainfall observed. The extreme weather conditions have made things very challenging for us in terms of maintaining healthy turfgrass. This season in particular, we have modified maintenance practices and intensity levels in order to provide continued high-quality conditions without jeopardizing plant health.
We can enjoy the beautiful weather for the time being, however, the Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Nina Watch. This transition will likely take place over the next few months and into the summer, meaning less wind shear in tropical waters. This unfortunately means that an increase in hurricane activity this year is likely.
With the warmer weather, we have been able to implement a more aggressive program on our putting greens. We have started to verticut and topdress greens on a biweekly basis, removing and diluting organic material, increasing turf density and promoting upright growth.
Fertilizing #8 Green in mid March |
Our first closure of the year takes place on Wednesday, May 15th. We have a busy summer scheduled with small projects and routine maintenance practices. This summer, we will be adding bunker sand to numerous bunkers around the golf course to improve playability and aesthetics. We will also be focused on the removal of organic material in our putting surfaces through frequent verticutting and small-tine aerification. As putting greens age, organic matter accumulation must be addressed prior to becoming problematic. Our major aerification is scheduled to take place in July. Please see our 2024 Closure schedule below.
2024 Golf Course Closure Schedule |
Our honey bee hives located behind Golf Course Maintenance are doing very well. We are hopeful to have our first honey harvest in the next few months. Once harvested, we will then bottle and sell fresh Copperleaf honey to our members. The proceeds from honey sales will be utilized to fund our continued environmental programs.
Our 6 honey bee hives are located behind the Golf Course Maintenance compound, in close proximity to the butterfly garden. |
Hole #7 - April 5th, 2024 |
As always, feel free to email any questions, comments or concerns to parkerf@copperleafgc.com.