Summer already?

With almost a week of sunny weather, the golf course is returning to normal.  The ground is drying up in most spots and we now know where more drainage needs to be added in the fairways.  From record rainfall we have emerged to record high temperatures.  Hopefully the temperatures are just a brief interlude before spring ( a normal one) arrives at least for a couple of weeks.

The bunkers continue to take the lion's share of the labor hours.  The load of bunker sand that was in the parking lot has been used in the bunkers for repair and probably at least two more will be needed to bring the depths back to normal.  Of course that is one more load than budgeted for and at this point the sand is unavailable because of flooding at the sand plant.

We are trying to get caught up this week in our applications but in reality it will take several weeks.  Greens were sprayed with a fungicide and Primo Monday.  Today the last of the tees and the greens surrounds and zoysia fairways were sprayed for large patch disease.  The bermuda is not sprayed as it will grow out of it quickly and it appears that is already happening.  Tomorrow if the wind is low enough, greens surrounds will have a herbicide applied for nutsedge and other weeds.  The wind has to be low though as we can not take a risk of the product drifting on to the greens.  This same product needs to be applied to fairways and they also need fertilizer and then a growth regulator application.  Look for  those to be done in the next couple of weeks.  That leaves broadleaf weed control for the rough and the clubhouse area.  When, I can not say but as soon as possible.

Details have been non existent the last several weeks and with most areas under some semblence of control, staff will be able to concentrate on them.  This includes trimming around trees, trimming around bunkers, trimming around ball washers, and trimming around the ponds.  Additionally the Har-Tru courts needs resurfacing and lining that is a two week process though not every day.  With a break from the heavy rains, we hope to start being able to meet our scheduled routines of turf care.  That should translate into a course that you will not be able to stay away from.