HOW WEATHER AFFECTS OUR SCHEDULING

At the beginning of every week we strive to implement our plans for maintaining the golf course. Of all the variables we have to consider inclement weather tends to be THE major factor that leads to changes and reorganization of our schedule. This is just part of what we do as grounds managers. I'm going to go over what we had planned and how changes had to occur as the rains fell (and are still falling this dreary Friday afternoon).

1.) Mowing Changes

• We had planned to lower the fairway and greens height of cut on Thursday and Friday. The heavy rains led to the decision not to mow fairways on Thursday and I don't like lowering a height if the turf is longer than normal or too soft. Same plan for the greens except that we did keep mowing daily (and double cutting if it wasn't too wet). However I would much rather lower the height on firmer, drier greens so that will wait until our first chance next week. As for not cutting when it is too wet I would much rather deal with "shaggy" turf and some disgruntled members than damage the course just for the sake of mowing.

2.) Weed Control

• All bets are off until we are confident of several hours of dry weather from about 6 a.m. until around noon. The herbicide must be absorbed by the leaves of the plant to be effective and rainfall will wash off the treatment and run "off target". Therefore my hopes of finishing weed control on the fairways and rough by the end of the week are dashed. So we try again next week.

3.) Course Fertilization

• Now this one kind of had an opposite effect on our plans. A double edged sword I guess. When you put down 200+ bags of granular fertilizer you do hope for some added moisture to help with a partial release of the nutrients. A heavy rainfall last Friday evening, a warm weekend as a follow up (with little or no rough mowing as it is a weekend after all), some staffing issues on Monday then more rainfall and a restriction on just how much mowing we can accomplish without damaging the turf led to "US Open" conditions in certain areas of the course. Someone thought I had this idea of mimicking Congressional for the week. NO. NO. NO. We are out there doing our best to get the rough under control but I have a feeling it will be a little heavy by Monday morning. At least its healthy and green.

4.) Sodding Projects

• We prepared some areas of the course that needed new sod or old sod replaced on Wednesday and also picked up 3 pallets that afternoon. The forecast changed abrubtly that evening and now we are laying sod in less than ideal conditions or waiting a few days hoping it will dry up. If it doesn't we will then roll out the sod next to the nursery so it doesn't overheat and get back at it on Monday or Tuesday.

So there are a few examples of how we adapt to the weather. My staff on the other hand can't wait to get home and dry off. They all have course supplied rain gear but working in the rain is never ideal. Kudos to them for not complaining (at least not to me anyway). Oh well, most of them had Thursday off due to the long period of rainfall.

Lets hope for dry weather soon.
Wade