The Heat is On!

A real feel of 106 today and 110 tomorrow!  I'd say summer is here.  Fortunately yesterday the big air conditioner "Lake Michigan" kicked up a nice eastern breeze to drop temps to a comfortable level.  Highs mid day were in the lower 80's where if you went no more than a few miles west of here they were in the 90's.  We continue to tread along with the heat being careful with any added stress put on our greens.  Fungicide applications were made this past Monday for some added protection as heat and humidity can bring on numerous different turf diseases.  Our main disease we are watching for and trying to protect our turf from is Pythium.  Pythium is a disease that likes hot, humid, and wet. 

Until last night we were be very careful on our watering, really not trying to water but just keep the surface cooled.  Last night we received .3" of rain in the passing storm.  We definately needed the rain but not really at a time where the next few days are supposed to be the hottest yet.  Constant monitoring is taking place and scouting for disease, as Pythium is started can wipe out a large amount of area in nothing flat. 

A few things that we are doing to help some areas out is increasing air flow.  A few greens here are tucked in areas where air movement is very minor.  During hot periods air movement is necessary to help the turf respirate and cool itself.  Portable fans have been place on number 6 and 13 green to help add some air flow along the canopy.  Here's a photo #13:

 



We needed to rent the white fan while the two blue ones were lended to us from Jonathan Laurens.





With the rain received last night we are out busy on bunkers this morning as edges were all washed down.  Again, this is a main reason why the bunkers are proposed to be redone.  Sand that we currently have washes everytime there is a slightly significant rainfall, well if .3" is considered significant.  On Sunday I sent and email out to the membership and informed everyone of a bunker we redid on 17 green with a different type of sand.  This sand is specifically made to hold on high faces hence the name "Steepface".  This morning as soon as I arrived to the club I drove to 17 to see how the bunker held, here is the evidence of it's ability:

You can see in this photo the the bunker in the front has held up great while the one in the back the edge is completely washed out.  The bunker in the front contains the "Steepface" sand and held true to its name.  I guess a question that comes to mind is what type of rain can this sand withstand before washing out.  Obviously if there are drastic rains any sand is going to wash.  A few Superintendents that I've spoke with who have this sand in place say they've seen good success up to 1.75" of rainfall.

Other than this we're having a run of the mill day.  All surfaces are being mowed with a lot of labor being spent on bunker maintenance.  Hopefully we get a nice breeze again this afternoon to help cool things off.

Drink lots of water and stay cool!