Summer is here

 

Summer is here are we are ready to go. The South greens were quickly vented this past Monday with 1/4" solid tines. These greens have been draining nicely and with the heat elevated this week we did not see a need to pull cores out. We will evaluate again in late August but for now the bentgrass is enjoying a breath of air as the humidity filters back in.

A light sand topdressing was also applied to the bentgrass after the vent. For the summer we will normally limit any more light topdressings to go out in front of a rain event in order to curtail any unnecessary abrasion to the bent leaf blade.


A soil spray went out on top of the sand that contained wetting agent, fungicide for root diseases along with some calcium and magnesium. Granular calcium and potassium was applied after the spray and then everything was watered in for the day. 

The South tees were topdressed and then brushed in on Monday. The North course also received a light sand topdressing after a verticut Monday morning. Prior to this year we only had one pull behind topdresser so this type of Monday productivity was not possible. We aim to keep all three units plenty busy through the growing season this year.

All 19 fans are in place and now running. These fans are capable of dropping almost 10 degrees off the surface temperatures of the bentgrass and can lower soil temps around 5 degrees. We will walk the life or death line (for bentgrass) of around 95 degrees for the next three months so we consider these fans our main life line.

The bentgrass greens enjoyed their long arid spring but Charlie and the guys are happy to see some humidity show up so the warm season turf hand watering can slow down slightly.


The Turfrad continues to help us supply extremely even conditions across the property. We have over 1,500 sprinkler heads that are being individually adjusted automatically according to these moisture readings every night. This is something that would be impossible to do manually even though we all tried to do it our entire careers up until now. With the push of a button we can have firm consistent conditions day in and day out.


The South team spent plenty of time in the bunkers this week trying to sharpen the edges. With the bermuda growing now controlling the horizontal runners into the sand becomes a daily task.


We have made some strides in getting this newer Celebration sod to grow in around the bunkers but we still have a ways to go. Wetting agent and fertility applications continue to go out to get these disturbed areas from last season looking healthy.


Thunderstorms were visible this week but nothing of substance hit the ground. Strap in for some heat this weekend before more rain chances next week!

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