Golf Course Update

Hello everyone, I just want update all of you awesome members on the golf course conditons. 

It has been a very tough July to say the least.   Irrigation leaks(Thanks for all the text messages ROB HARRIS), bugs, summer annural weeds, disease pressure, long grass and humidity.  The crew is doing a great job of staying positive throughout this stretch and we will keep doing the best we can.  

Irrigation:  We currently have 2 mainline leaks on the course  along with a lateral line on 18 by the green.  #12 and The Hut area(The Hut is safe) are the 2 mainline leaks.  The leak around the Hut will be difficult due to the connection type along with city water and electric running throuugh the area.  #12 will be addressed in the coming week.  #18 can not be isolated without me shutting down the majority of the course, so as soon as we get more favorable weather, later this week, we will address it.  This has been the year of irrigation leaks on the course, we have been averaging at least 1 per week.  Our system is over 30 years old and we are running into alot of failures due to age.  

Summer Annual Weeds in Fairways:  I apoligize about the weed issue we are having in fairways, specifically Goosegrass.  It is the bane of my existence.  Each season I’ve been trying different programs to see what really works well for us  but unfortunately I haven’t yet. I have been talking with numerous reps and feel that next season will be better.  For now, the best course of action will be to treat it with a product called Pylex.  I have been spraying it for the last few weeks in isolated areas, but the outbreak has just worsened.  Pylex will easily control the goosegrass but the side effect will be bleaching, not only to the goose grass but the bermuda grass we have in the fairways.  The bleaching will peak 5-7 days post app and fade away in 10 to 14 days.  The Pylex applications you see around the greens are speciafially for bermuda grass control and are tpyically tank mixed with other chemistries.    

Rough:  Growth Rates are high in the rough right now.  The rains, along with the high humidty have provided perfect growing conditions for the rough.  We will continue to keep up on mowing so it doesn’t get out of control.  I went ahead and applied a plant growth regulator to the greens surrounds so play will be more enjoyable.  

Greens:  Overall I am happy with them.  5 of them are showing some signs of stress but nothing I am overly concerned with.   The moisuture levels in them have been high for well over the last month with the humidity and rains.  We have incured some insect damage, the annual bluegrass weevil.  An application been made to rid the greens of this devilish bug.  I scout every 2 weeks for ABW and during my last scouting adventure I was unable to locate a sudstantial population of them, but they were out there apparently.  I will be adjusting my scouting to include the centers of the greens from now on.  Typically I am only sampling the outder edges, thats usually where the frist signs show up.  I have attached a picture of the damaging larvae.   Next Monday we will be spiking(not aerifying) the greens and adding a good amount of topdressing sand.  The weather is looking great to do this.  This will provide much needed air and gas exchange for the soil.  Hole will be noticable 3 maybe 4 days but ball roll will not be affected.  

As always, I am always around the property somewhere, so if you have questions good luck finding me.  

Thanks 

Chase