Drainage Work And An Update On The Greens

Usually we can blame the weather for derailing the best laid plans but not this time. The greens and approaches will not be topdressed as planned because the sand that was scheduled to be delivered early today did not arrive. Millcreek Sand and Gravel had equipment problems resulting in a 24 hour delay for deliveries. Thus the work will be completed later in the week.

While on the topic of greens David Doherty, president of the International Sports Turf Research Center visited the club last week. The club will be retaining his consulting services for the scientific analysis of the soil physical properties of our greens and tees. His company and staff are utilized by some of the finest courses in North America including Augusta National, Pine Valley and Oakmont. It is one thing for me as your superintendent to present the issues facing our turf. It is another to have science and fact as backup. Soil samples from several greens will be sent to Kansas and his agronomist will be submitting a detailed report to us in August. These reports will follow up the 2010 results I presented to the membership last fall. We have a baseline established and now we can monitor the progress of our maintenance practices. Dave has also agreed to submit more of a layman's report that will be easier for you, the membership, to understand. What you should realize is that although the greens look great and play fairly consistent there are issues under the surface that need to be addressed and the sooner the better. We are on the right path and with the course being worked on this fall I see that time as an ideal period to introduce a management program for the future. Dave also met with Wade Hudyma to discuss the option of an informal seminar with any interested members to discuss the importance of an intensive aeration program for our fine turf areas. More information will be available for you as we move into the fall.

If you were on the course today you probably noticed our skid steer loader and a 12 inch auger drilling deep holes in low spots on some of the fairways. We are installing vertical drain columns in troublesome low wet areas that have really identified themselves during the consistent wet weather over the last week.
These columns assist in wicking water away from the surface and into the subgrade. If they don't drain the water quickly it is easy for us to remove the plastic drain cap, insert a suction line and then use a water pump to move the water somewhere else. They work well and many of these drains have been installed here over the years. We are using 2 larger 12x12 inch drain boxes on some troublesome spots on the haul roads that cross #1 and #6 fairways.

In closing it seems the rains are easing off, the course is drying out and we are finally able to get back to a regular mowing schedule. Lets all hope for a long run of warm, dry weather.

Wade