Course Rebounds From Drought After Recent Rain Activity

Course is very green again after recent rains

The drought is finally over as we have received 97mm of rain in the past 5 days.  Prior to this stormy period, this is the same amount of rain the course had received since June 1st!  What a difference an adequate drenching of natural rainfall does to help rebound all the drought stressed areas on the property.

Tuesday's storm brought with it some 64mm of heavy rain and wind which washed out bunkers and sent debris all around the property.  The crew was on cleanup detail during Ladies' Day morning pumping out traps, shoveling up sand, regrading cartpaths and cutting and picking up tree branches.

Luckily no high value trees were lost and the new bunkers drained well with the majority of the sand staying in place.

Blown down debris scattered all over No. 18 fairway

Minimal washouts of sand in new bunkers!

Gravel paths had some washouts to regrade

Branch lost off pine on No. 13 fairway

The wood water cooler on No. 14 tee took a tumble from the heavy wind and should be back in action for the weekend.

The course is now really green again which appeals to many players eyes.  But the green colour doesn't necessary translate into improved playability.  There is now less bounce and roll out there now with the added moisture.  Drives off the tee aren't getting the same roll.  As golf course managers we manage surfaces for golfers to play on.  A little brown out there adds to the playability factor, not hinder it.  Something for everyone to consider from a golf and environmental sustainability standpoint.

The turf was not the only plants that were affected.  The trees have had a tough time as well with this extended drought with some bushlines showing some severe moisture stress with the early colour change of the leaves as shown in the picture below.

Both turf and trees under stress during recent drought

Last week's greens verticutting, venting and topdressing made for some great surfaces for last weekend's Club Championships.  Unfortunately the Club Champs was a one day event this year on Sunday with Saturday's rainy conditions.  A summary of the winning individuals is at the end of this post.

During the last month a handful of greens have been slit-seeded with bentgrass prior to topdressing to incorporate the stronger bentgrass to overcome the weak poa annua.  The bentgrass can tolerate the extreme heat and drought a lot better than the existing poa and will survive through severe winter conditions more successfully.  The bentgrass has deeper roots and therefore requires less water to keep the plants healthy.  Less water means firmer, smoother surfaces, less ballmarks, less disease and less environmental impact.

Greens Nos. 2, 3, 10, 13, have had there entire surfaces overseeded in multiple directions whereas Greens Nos. 4, 8, 11, 12, 15, and 18 have had spot treatments where required to promote more bent.

With the recent relief from the heat we are now 'over the hump' of the stressful summer period.  We are trying to take advantage of this time-period with the warm soil temperatures to overseed the rough in areas where weaker low drought and heat tolerate grasses dominate and lost the battle in this summer's extreme conditions.

Turfco Triwave slitseeder will overseed rough areas

Right of No. 1 approach example of rough getting overseeded

Next week the fairways will get their 2nd of the 3 sand topdressings of the season.  The topdress will dilute the thatch, smooth and firm up the surface for improved playability for extra distance.  The sand will also provide better drainage by the sand capping to allow less damage from carts out during increment weather.  This process is set to begin early Tuesday morning and completed by Thursday avoiding Ladies' day afternoon.

Fairways topdressed next week starting Tuesday

Club Championships Results


2016 LADIES’ CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT LOIS SMALLMAN TROPHY
WINNER: Cheri Grogan
RUNNER UP: Jordon Newlands

A FLIGHT VIRGINIA COUTTS AWARD
WINNER: Marianne Anderson
RUNNER UP: Julie Osborne

B FLIGHT THE GROGAN CUP
WINNER: Joan Levan
RUNNER UP: Donna Opzoomer

C FLIGHT CATHERINE GIBSON AWARD
WINNER: Janet Amos
RUNNER UP: Catherine Hawtin

MACIL KEEFE NET AWARD (LOW NET IN ALL FLIGHTS)
WINNER: Joan Levan

SENIOR FLIGHT (LOW GROSS 60 & OVER FOR ALL FLIGHTS) BETTY PURVES MCGIVERN TROPHY
WINNER: Heather Ferrier
RUNNER UP: Debbie Hogan

Net Pin Award (Low Net in Championship Flight)
WINNER: Cheri Grogan

2016 MEN'S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
WINNER: Will Leak (74)
RUNNER UP: Jud Whiteside Jr. (77)

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
WINNER: Rod Ascui (77)
RUNNER UP: Bill Leak (79)

A FLIGHT
WINNER: Rod Ascui (77)
RUNNER UP: Rob Leak (79)

B FLIGHT
WINNER: Tie - Dave Bacon & Tom Stanton (81)

C FLIGHT
WINNER: Rob Hawtin (84)
RUNNER UP:  Tie - Peter Topp & Robin Dunbar (88)