The summer of 2020 is now in the rear view mirror as we enter middle of October following an pretty nice Thanksgiving weekend. The Proshop closes this coming Sunday evening October 18th. However, pull carts will be made available beyond Monday October 19th, for those who wish to still get out and play amongst the year-end winter prep work well underway.
COURSE CLOSED - TUES OCT 20 & 21 - FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM BLOW OUT
Normally there is no golfers around during the 3rd week of October while we are doing this process. With more golfers around due to COVID-19, we will be forced to close the course for two days while we complete this important operation. A large air compressor is rented well in advance for two days. Compressed air is blown through the irrigation lines to remove all the water from the pipes and sprinklers. Water is shot out of the sprinklers randomly as the computer loops through the various holes pushing water out of the pipes and sprinkler nozzles. The noise from the compressed air is pretty loud and annoying as well, so it's best if no golfers are on the property during this process to avoid getting anyone soaked!
Click below to see a quick video clip of what you will be missing during next week's blowout...
COUNTDOWN TO WINTER IS ON!
The end of the long golf season is in the air with the cooler temperatures, frost and falling leaves. For the Greens Maintenance Staff the countdown for winter is on. Within a month we will have completed our long list of turf winter protection practices and the greens will be covered for winter. There is no time left to let off the gas pedal with only so many good weather days left. After Thanksgiving, golf at this point is more of a "walk in the park" with less emphasis on daily course setup and conditioning and a focus on winterization and doing what is needed to put the course to bed and help guarantee good turf next season.
This week will see the completion of our fairway solid tine aerification followed by fairway sand topdressing into the open holes for increased rooting, drainage and overall plant health. The greens are getting "deep tine aerated" today (Thursday) using the Vertidrain aerator to penetrate down 10" with a slight "kick" at the end to bust up any compacted layers, and allow air, water and nutrients down for promoting healthy soils and necessary drainage.
Click on the video below to view the benefits of Vertidraining...
See what the Vertidrain machine looks like in slow motion (click below)
WEEK OF OCTOBER 19TH COULD BE LAST WEEK OPEN FOR GOLF
During the week after next week (week of Oct 26th) we plan to spray out our final preventative snow mould fungicides on the greens, tees and fairways during days where no rain is in the forecast. This means the course will have to be closed so we can apply these chemicals uninterrupted and avoid exposure and tracking of this product and help ensure it's effectiveness for controlling the snow mould disease for start of next season.
Also this time of year the grass is not growing much anymore with the cooler temperatures. The turf has a tough time recovering from the wear and tear of heavy traffic from golfers, especially if it is busy. If heavy traffic is anticipated, we should pull the pins off the greens and place temporary greens out on the approaches, to limit excessive wear that won't recover before winter and affect next year's outcome of turf conditions.
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