The Test!

This past weekend our golf course was put to the test, more specifically the bunkers.  We did have some good rains last fall that tested the durability as well as functionality of our new bunkers but, this past Saturday evening was the best test to date.  Heavy rains fell over the evening to a total of 2".  These types of rains would set us so far back with needing to pump water and rake a lot of sand back up the faces from washouts.  As I told a few members, "this could have been the first time driving to the club and being excited about having 2" of rain overnight".  The storms put the bunkers to the test but also gave some much needed moisture as we were pretty dry.  I've shared the included photos with the Grounds and Greens Committee and feeling they should be shared with everyone.  The project was done to help increase the functionality of the bunkers but also to eliminate the drastic amount of labor needed following rain events.  These pictures show although not a 100% fix, at least 95% of what we were hoping to accomplish.  Very minimal washouts and standing water that drained very quickly, no longer 2-3 days of bunkers having water in them. 

Left side 16 grn bunker.  Notice the washout around the edge as well as the standing water.

Same bunker as above, no washout around the edge and very minimal amount of water in the bottom.  Water was gone in a matter of hours.

Right side 16 grn bunker.  Severe washout around the edge of the bunker.  Notice the color difference in the sand, water sat in this bunker to this level and would take a few days to completely drain if we didn't pump out.

Same bunker as above.  Yes water setting in bunker but like the left side it drained rather fast.  Notice no washout along the edge, some sand slide but can be cleaned up quickly by 1 Grounds Staff member.

Fwy bunker on #1.  This bunker was notorious to be filled with water and have that water there for days.  Again, slight amount of water in the bottom but dried a few hours later.  And, no washouts.

This is a photo to show that we do still have some washout at times, but the key here is that it is very minimal.  Before this bunker would washout along the whole face and take 3-4 guys about 30-60 minutes to reclaim.  This can be done by one guy in the matter of a few minutes.  This trap also held water for a few days, very minimal water in the bottom and it dried rather quick.

The guys are wrapping up today with smoothing out all the bunkers, so that leg of the process is complete.  Next we will be using mechanical tampers to compact the sand which will help reduce the risk for plugged lies in the bunkers.  We can't guarantee that there will never be a fried egg but we are going to try our best.  It will take some help from Mother Nature to assist in getting the sand settled and firmed up and a rain like this is a good assistance.  Some may ask, why if we replaced all the drainage is there still water in the traps?  This is the result of the levels in the drainage system.  We obviously have the larger mainlines throughout the course where then there are lines tied into them and lines tied into those lines tied into the mainlines.  Bunkers are far up that chain of command and thus being slower to drain.  A good example is leaving a parking lot of a Bears or a Bulls game.  Imagine the parking lot is the bunker and either Lakeshore Dr/55 or 290 is the mainline drainage.  Until people get out onto those and get moving the parking lot is backed up and it takes some time to get out.  This is the exact case for the water in the bunkers.

The rain has made things too wet to mow so we are concentrating on detail tasks today.  Frankie is out working on edging and refreshing crushed red granite paths while Luis is cleaning under the pines at 15 tee.  Moe continues to attack any encroaching Poa on the greens by plugging it out and replacing the void with fresh A1/A4 plugs from our nursery.  Jorge spent the morning working on edging sprinkler heads around greens and approaches before heading off to work on mowing greens this afternoon.  I happy for days like these cause it forces us to address tasks that are further down the priority list at the time being especially with the grass growing at the rate it is.  We'll wrap this entry up with some photos from today's tasks:

Frankie working on the red granite area at 6 grn/ 7 tee

Finished product at 3 ladies tee

Sprinkler heads edged at 6 grn.  Important to keep these cleaned as grass will grow over and interfere with spray patterns but also a ball could come to rest and someone not seeing the head takes a full swing and do extensive damage to themselves and to the sprinkler head.

Poa removal at the back of 1 green.  We have seen some small Poa encroachment so we are manually removing it to keep it out of the greens and collars.

Luis' work at the Pine grove along 15 tee.  We'll be placing some ferns in among the Azaleas this spring as ferns enjoy a shady environment.

Averages Return

Wow, the weather has shifted from the summer temps we had a few weeks ago!  The last week or so temperatures have hovered around the mid to low 50's with some days sliding a bit higher and even lower.  Happy to see the cooler temps as it has really slowed the turf down.  Grass has been growing like crazy and requiring a great deal of mowing.  Normally this time of year we haven't even had a mower out on the course yet, we're currently mowing approaches, tees, and fairways a few times a week while greens are mowed about 5 times a week.  As things have slowed we've been able to start addressing other needed tasks mostly detail work and continued cleanup.  Good that we have finally been able to get in and start working on the bunkers.  I was getting frustrated driving through the course and seeing the work needing done but not enough time or the guys to get started.  We continue to push through this abnormal spring and check things off the list and seeing progress be made.  A few photos from some of the weeks tasks:

8 grn topdressed after it was double cut with the groomer brushes down

Moe dragging in the topdressing sand

Abel and Aristeo working on the bunkers.  Getting sand all smoothed out and then we'll begin tamping work.

Area on 11 approach that we reseeded since we used as a nursery for thin and bare areas throughout collars and approaches

Seedlings coming up on 11 approach

A Little Back to Normal

After last week this one feels like winter!  What a difference in temperatures and conditions.  Right into summer, right out of summer and into spring.  Cooler weather has helped out in one way, slowing the grass down.  I was a bit nervous after the rain we received that if we had warmer temps this grass would be growing out of control.  It hasn't completely stopped but it has slowed to where we've been able to start getting some other tasks done. 
This past week was busy with mowing while sprinkling in some detail work and other necessary tasks.  The mild winter and warm start to spring has everything early and that required us using this past week to finish up our preemergent crabgrass control application.  We've continued to work at lowering the heights on greens and tomorrow we will be out cutting at .150".  We'll stay at this height for the next 3 week or so and really concentrate on grooming and topdressing.  Density on the greens has increased which is great to see.  This was our main goal this spring.  Verticutting and topdressing took place this week on the approaches as well.  This is a process to increase density but also stand up leggy plants and get that leggy material cut off.  One thing I've noticed with the greens and approaches over the last 3-4 days is that they've gotten a tan tinge to them.  This is most likely due to the drop in temperatures over the last week.  A few nights have dipped to the low 40's even creeping into the upper 30's.  These temps will slow bent grass down substantially thus reducing the amount of nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production thus a tannish/yellow color rather than green.  When temps rise back up things will green up as growth activity increases.  We have applied some foliar fertilizer to keep the turf pushing while things are on the cooler side and will be looking at doing and organic granular application early next week.  Plants got to eat!
Besides our continued labor on the greens and the approaches we have increased mowing frequencies on the fairways as well as mowing rough routinely.  Like I've continued to say the turf is growing vigorously especially the bluegrass.  Here is a nice photo of the 12th hole taken this Friday:

Along with all the mowing, tedious tasks have been accomplished.  I'm a stickler for detail so we've been able to get up to the clubhouse to edge beds, mow, and plant some pansy's for color.  Along with that Luis has done a tremendous job of dressing up the bed between the 19th hole and the 10th tee which has now been designated a bit of a "picnic" area.  The rain here at the end of the week is allowing us to continue with some of the detail theme with jobs like edging beds on the golf course as well as mowing and edging bunkers.  Here are some shots from today's activities.

Abel and Elias mowing bunkers around the 5th grn

Abel mowing bunkers

Rightside grn bunker on 12 after being edged and mowed

Luis and Antonio doing a tremendous job putting a crisp edge on the flower beds and pulling weeds

15 Tee bed after the boys gave it their master touch

14 Tee bed all cleaned up

Good to have another week in the books and have great progress to report.  Next week looks to be just as busy.  We'll be bringing a few new guys onto the crew come Monday to help with more of these tasks.  Look very forward to keeping things growing and creating a delightful canvas for the full opening of BCC.

The Difference 9 Days Makes

Was just going through photos I've taken in March and came across a good comparison shot.  We mowed number 12 fairway for the first time on March 13th, this past Thursday I was just out and took another photo of the hole and the difference in greenup is astounding for 9 days, see below:

First Mowing on March 13th

Photo taken March 22nd, quite the contrast difference between the two photos.  Things have green'd up quick!



One last task I forgot to mention in yesterday's post, natural area burns.  We carry out naturalized burns this past Thursday, this year not as much to burn due to using those areas to spread the old bunker sand.  This method helps control weeds in these areas as well as promote growth of the desired plants.  These naturalized areas are going to become more of a renovation focus over the next few years as they are areas where the turf was just left to grow up.  Through technology these days fescues have been developed that can withstand Roundup, which is a kill all chemical.  This will become a very favorable method of weed control and keeping these areas clean.  We'll be taking some areas this year and seeding with this "Roundup Ready" fescue blends to see the results and see about progressing forward on renovating other areas as well as adding some.  Here's a quick photo of the burning being carried out on the area between 7, 12, and 13:

Needing Rain in March?

Never thought I'd be happy to receive rain in March!  Normally this time of year we are waiting for it to stop raining, but again we are far from the norm as of late with weather.  Now I actually hope for a frost to slow down turf growth.  Things are growing vigorously right now and we are having a challenging time to keep up.  A few good frost could act as a natural growth regulator and help the crew out a bit. 

As I've said in previous post the warm weather has been welcomed and we've taken advantage of it.  The golf course is in very good shape for this time of year.  Just the balancing between cleanup and the mowing has been a challenge.  We keep prioritizing and knocking things off the list.  Cleanup of branches and other debris is very close to wrapping up and as soon as it's finished we'll be shifting our attention to the bunkers.  Happy to see that after just over an inch of rain no bunker is holding water!  With all of the clean up and mowing we have found time to take on a few projects as well as carry out some of our necessary pesticide applications.  This past week and early next week we'll be wrapping up our Dimension application in the rough.  Dimension is a preemergent weed control, primary for crabgrass but also has control on pesky weeds.  A theme that has developed and has carried true with this application is that we are applying roughly one month earlier than we had to apply last season. 

I look forward to getting cleanup tasks done and then getting this bunkers carried to the final touches.  Small drainage adjustments still remain on a few bunkers like 5, 8, 9, and 13.  These are all adjustments to the pipe that is outside the bunker and where it flows for proper drainage.  In all we should be done with all that work by mid to the end of April depending on weather.  I'll leave you with a few photos of some small projects we finished up this past week.

Drainage project we took on for 6 approach.  There was a settle low area in this approach that would stay wet and seed wasn't germinating.  We tracked drainage lines in the area to see how we could alleviate and found the bunker line ran right through here.  We dug that line up added some catch basins to catch water that runs off the green as well as from the fairway, added some pea gravel over the pipe and then back filled and sodded.  You can see the steps as the pictures progress.

Another angle of the area we were draining.  There were previous catch basins here but they were more to the left of the ones in the picture.  Problem was that they weren't in the lowest areas meaning they didn't relieve all the the water.

Antonio and Jorge prepping the areas to be sodded after it had been back filled, tamped, and leveled.

Beginning the sodding process

Project completed

Project completed and happy to say that after the 1" rain we just had the area is dry!

11 approach reseeding.  Last fall we used part of 11 approach as a nursery.  This area grew in very fast while other areas were lagging behind.  We decided to harvest some sod from here to touch up areas prior to winter, mostly collars around greens where turf was sparse.  This past week we brought in a sand/soil mix, releveled and reseeded the approach.

11 Approach after it had been fertilized, seeded, and raked

Nathan using our sand rake to "dimple" the seed in.  The tires on this machine are "knobby" tires and create a nice square dimple.  This is a great practice to do on newly seeded areas as these dimples hold water very well and keep the seed moist for germination.  We did see slight wash after this past rain but nothing major, we'll touchup a few spots and more than likely place a cover here on Monday to keep temperatures adequate for germination as our temps are supposed to be cooler than they've been.

That's a wrap for the week, we'll have more to come!  Hope you have enjoyed the warm weather.

Puzzling!?

This weather is becoming quite puzzling.  Who would have guessed that we'd be hitting the mid 80's in March?  We've actually hit 5 straight days where temps have been above 80 here at BCC.  This middle 80's weather has everything very active from trees, flowers, bugs, and the turf.  First mowing's have been done on fairways and tees with continuous mowing being done on greens and approaches.  This week we'll be looking at getting some rough cleaned up but that is low on our priority list.  Things are well ahead of schedule.  The weather has pushed physiology of the turf way ahead of where it should be as well as creating conditions for turf disease.  Last week we were out spraying for disease as well as growth regulators to control Poa seedheads.  To give you an idea how far ahead things are, we didn't make a single spray application to the last week in April last year.  I enjoy the warm weather cause it's allowing us to accomplish a great deal but it has me a bit nervous.  I hope we begin to balance out a bit otherwise if this continues does it mean we'll be hitting our 90's in June? 

Back to our tasks at hand though.  We continue to groom and push the greens and approaches for the opening.  This mild/warm weather has been a blessing giving the turf and early activity.  I can't believe this will continue to carry on, I believe at some point we'll return to our norms and turf growth will slow.  We've been mowing these areas on a continuous basis as well as carrying out verticutting, rolling, and topdressing.  We'll now be doing light topdressing every week, this will help protect the turf as we lower mowing heights but also help smooth areas out.  Cleanup of branches and other debris throughout the course continues.  I'm hoping that by the end of this week we'll be wrapping those tedious tasks up and we can then begin focusing our attention to the bunker work that still needs completed.  Irrigation checks will be done this week.  Last week we charged up our irrigation system which again is about a month ahead of last year.  We'll go through the system and check that each sprinkler head is rotating and spraying properly.  Things can happen over winter to disrupt the functionality and this is just a way to be sure we are in good operation.  Mowing frequencies will begin to pick up at turf becomes more active on tees and fairways.  We have raised heights and will slowly bring them down to mid season height.  If the spring stays mild and dry we'll be carrying out aerification and topdressing on these areas as well.  This will only help with plant health and set it up to handle harsh conditions better if such conditions present themselves this summer. 

Well, I had better get out on the course.  Here are some photos from tasks last week:

Cleanup cut on 18 grn.  Shows the definition and growth we are getting with the turf

Rolling greens.  We carried this process out twice last week on all the greens.  Rolling helps smooth things out as well as give the turf a rest from constant mowing.

Spraying fairways for Poa seedhead suppression.  This is done each spring to help reduce the seeding ability of Poa Annua, the turf we don't desire.  Be reducing the seeding capability it can help reduce the ability for seeds to be tracked through the course and established.  Fungicides were also included in this spray to protect against disease the can become evident in these temperatures.  Greens and approaches were sprayed as well last week with fungicide and foliar fertilizer.

Drainage work on 6 approach.  This is one approach that turf establishment wasn't taking place in the middle of.  Through investigation we discovered the bunker line that was installed in 2000 was trenched through here and over time settled creating a low spot for water to sit.  We've discussed before how important drainage is and that turf will not survive in constantly we soil.  We dug up old basin areas and installed new ones in the low spots as well as cleaning out the existing tile line.  This area will then be sodded and be completely healed up.

Mowing of approaches for the first time on March 13th.  These things are looking amazing.  I'm excited at the different playing options this will create for the game but also the management capabilities. 

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!