Bye November

Today we say goodbye to November, tomorrow it will be hello December!  Won't feel like December but the calender still says it is.  Even with the warm temps we have put the golf course to rest for the winter.  Pushing the envelope and continue to keep the course playable would create the possibility of not allowing us to get all our tasks completed.  Who knows, it could be a winter like last but I sure hope not. 
Today we began putting our last final heavy coat of sand on the greens.  This will be some added protection for the turf, but the new bent is very tolerable of winter weather.  This tolerance was one of the reasons we selected this cultivar.  Sand topdressing in the manor that we do will help protect the crown or should I say "insulate".  As winter goes on the elements of winter will work the sand down into the canopy of turf adding what we like, more sand to our soil profile.  When spring comes around we will allow the turf to grow right up through the sand with some light brushing to help work it in, but not to much.  We will NOT be using covers this year or in the future.  Covers are a practical idea but they would only aid Poa Annua to become established in the greens, the eradication of Poa was 90% of the reason we did the regrassing.  Poa will always be a battle and we'll be aggressive at keeping it out, but we will do nothing to aid in its establishment and covers are a bit aid! 
Along with the topdressing, we've been working hard at the pond bank on 18.  This again is in accordance with the construction project at the clubhouse.  Today we began sodding and our hopes are that we will be completely finished at the end of next week.

Topdressing on the 14th green

Guys working at placing clay along the edge of the pond

Clay packed along the top edge raising the grade roughly 8-10"

Beginning to sod.