Spring Time Work!

The last few days let alone last few weeks have been slightly moderate to absolutely gorgeous.  Today we have crept above 70 degrees and we are taking full advantage of it with tasks at hand.  It's been sometime since my last post so I'll try my best to get you caught up with what's been taking place.  Last major task we did was spraying greens over the 2nd week of February as we were slightly concern about fungus protection after mowing on the 1st of February but also with the amount of growth that had taken place.  Since then the guys have been slowing working on outside tasks and cleanup.  So far we've wrapped up cleaning all the landscape beds throughout the golf course and continue to work on limbs and other debris.  With having a short staff during this time of year it makes it challenging to get all necessary tasks tackled, especially when we are currently a month ahead weather wise than the normal spring.  Last year we weren't able to get out onto the course till mid April.  As the cleanup tasks move along we began tackling other larger events today. 

Pulling cover on 14 grn

Mowing 17 grn after it has been verticut

Yesterday we removed all the covers from the greens again and they needed a haircut.  We began yesterday after noon and finished them up this morning.  With the extended weather outlook we felt it was only fitting to do some cultural work to the greens to promote density.  Today after things dried up we began to verticut and remow at a lower height, move the mowers to .190".  In prime season we will be looking to achieve heights anywhere from .135" down to .120", the .120" will give us the super fast greens speeds so this will only be for special events.  I'm very pleased with how everything is looking, I'm amazed at the progress made throughout winter as well as since mowing on February 1st.  Areas on greens that were lacking density and turf on Feb 1 look completely different now.  Continued warmer temps will only keep the progress in the positive direction.  We'll be looking at topdressing later in the week as well as continued rolling.
Along with getting caught up on the greens mowing we began to address other areas throughout the course. Today we have completely mowed all the tees, the back 9 approaches, as well as most of the back 9 fairways. Conditions warranted it and I wanted to get these 1st mowings out of the way for opening the course but also so we can focus our attention on other necessary tasks. First mowings are never really to mow off a lot of grass but to clean things up as well as initiate some growth.

Cuco mowing 15 approach for the 1st time of the season

Abel mowing 16 tee for the first time of the season

 The season has come in with a bang and hopefully it will continue to push along.  We still have a great deal of work ahead of us to get us beyond cleanup and onto maintenance.  Tidying up from the fall project is still at hand with finishing up the bunker work; leveling, testing depths, and compacting.  We look very forward to keeping things moving along and getting the course in the best possible condition for you to enjoy!

Look forward to seeing everyone!