After a "soft opening" due to the usual weather that occurs when you need warm sunny conditions the weekend was very pleasant. It was good to finally get the front 9 open. I'm hoping that the back 9 will follow in some manner, way, shape or form in the next 7 to 10 days. We will spend the next week cleaning up as we did on the front 9. The amount of debris from last fall and overwinter is always a daunting task to remove. My staff did a great job on the front so I expect nothing less on the back. The big difference out there will be the evidence of construction and some major changes on several holes. I will review the Back 9 in a blog later this week.
The irrigation system will be pressurized beginning Monday morning. Once we are holding pressure (and repairs, if any, completed) we can begin more intensive management of the turf. The greens will be verticut aggressively, a light sand topdressing will be applied to smooth the surfaces and overseeding/plugging will have a significantly higher success rate.With soil temperatures rising we can also modify our nutrient program. Fairways will be fertilized with a foliar application and some granular will be going down on greens, tees and aprons as well.
The mowing height on the greens will be lowered on Monday. They are, at present, set higher than normal due to the weather. We also had to be careful of shocking the bentgrass that really took off under the greens covers earlier last week. The Poa that is healthy should also start to grow but it will require warmer temperatures, especially at night, to really get going.
Over the next week you will notice white paint lines on the perimeter of the holes. These lines will be guides for the fairway mowers and modification to fairway widths. Now is the time to widen fairways. Hopefully any changes meet with your approval. The goal being to make your round more enjoyable. We will also be reducing the amount of rough fertilizing unless certain areas require it. I'm looking for a middle ground here. Not too thick but still healthy. The color will not be that "lush green" of last summer unless it rains for an extended period. I also believe our fairways will look that much better as a result with the contrast in colors.
The 18th hole should be back in play by the end of the week. The weather delayed progress on #11 for a few days but all materials required to complete the work are here and CTC will be able to get back to work on Monday morning.
If you have any questions or concerns and would like to discuss matters with me please call my cell at 203-4211 or email me at wpeckham@mayfair.ca.
All for now,
Wade
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