I apologize for the lapse of updates, but we have been running hard over the last couple of weeks.
Fans have been installed on greens #12 and #15. These fans circulate air over the surface of the greens to create a more pleasurable environment for the putting surfaces. We realize these fans can be an obstacle but as stated by our USGA Agronomist Stan Zontek "Weak greens are turning into good greens due to fans." We are fighting some electrical issues on #15, but are narrowing down the cause and should have the fan operating shortly.
If you've played over the last couple weeks you will see a few weak areas on greens #12 and #15. We will be amending those areas with new turf when the weather is more conducive to new sod. We appreciate your patience as we need just a few more weeks until the weather breaks.
You may have noticed a drop in green speed over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately the hot weather causes your Golf Course Maintenance Team to play defense with the putting surfaces. Practices like low mowing height, growth regulator, rolling and low moisture all make the putting greens fast, but cause stress. We use more conservative measures like increased moisture levels and mowing heights to maintain the turf integrity during the hot summer. All of these practices have been discussed with the Greens Committee.
I've gotten numerous positive comments about the fairways this year and especially over the last couple weeks. The fairways are loving this weather! You may notice if you travel to other courses that we cut our fairways a little higher than other facilities. This calculated choice allows the golfer to have more leaf surface to hold the ball higher enabling the member to sweep the ball off the fairway.
Per the Green Committee, we added a water filling station at the 17th tee box and we will add an ice filling station to the bathroom at #3. This should allow all members an opportunity for water or ice with in a maximum of every 3 holes.
The heavy rains continue to test the bunkers. We have been receiving large amounts of rain over short periods of time which cause our bunkers to wash out. The following pictures depict just some of the images from the last couple of weeks. Please notice the picture of #7 and the comparison of the 2008 bunker compared to the Better Billy Bunker installed this past fall.
2008 Constructed bunker vs. Better Billy Bunker
Bunker left on #7 up close
Summer is closing in on the end, and we are glad everyone is enjoying the golf course. Enjoy the next month of warm golf before the cooler fall breezes move into town.
