Getting Close

As you can see from the following pictures taken late Monday afternoon we still have some snow to melt before we can open. In addition the adjacent areas near the remaining snow are still quite wet. The weather this week will likely work in our favor allowing Turf Care to get into those spots and prepare the course for an opening date of around the middle of next week.

 

 

At present we are blowing and sweeping from tree line to tree line on those holes that are dry enough for the equipment. We plan on starting the irrigation system early next week so in the meantime we are tank watering as need be. We won't begin any aggressive work on the greens until we have that dependable water source. It is still early and the predominately Poa annua turf on the greens and fairways must be treated carefully with a minimum amount of stress applied to the surfaces at this time of the season. Basically keep it alive, push it along as the weather dictates and wait for the warm weather that is sure to arrive.

 

We have a fairly long list of small projects to complete beginning next week. The curbing contractor will be on site Friday to begin curbing where required on the front 9. The new cart paths need soil and sod work along all the edges. Precast steps will be added on several tees in addition to all the paving stone work required for the benches, ballwashers and trash containers. The natural grass surface at the driving range will be replaced and renovation work is needed to repair the heavy truck damage across a few fairways. We envision a very busy month of May.

 

A final note regarding the geese. The wildlife control company has requested that nobody disturbs the nests (that we know of) on the golf course. That includes the couple that have returned to the water feature. They are using deterrents and will also be relocating any nest they can find when all the eggs are laid and the birds begin to sit. Its about changing the patterns and behavior of these returning pairs. No birds will be harmed. Keeping them away from the clubhouse and reducing the population on our property is the ultimate goal.

 

  



Early April Update

More of the golf course is becoming exposed with each passing day. The sun is strong and melting will occur in open areas even if temperatures are near the freezing mark. However as you can see there is still considerable snow cover along many of the tree lines. As conditions dry Turf Care will be able to get out and begin the cleanup required every spring. No matter how tidy we get the course in late October the harsh winter months bring down a lot of branches and leaves seem to appear out of nowhere. The parking lot needs a thorough sweeping (planned for this Friday) and the clubhouse area requires cleaning as well.

 

 

Course Notes:

• Battle River Wildlife Management will be on the property over the next few months. They have been hired to help us control the Canada Goose population and will be using various methods to reduce the number of birds residing on the golf course. They have all the Federal permits required to legally do what is required.
• The natural grass surface on the driving range tee will be stripped and resodded later this month. The range and all practice facilities are scheduled to open this Saturday the 11th, weather permitting.
• If you feel like walking the course and checking turf conditions please remember to stay off the grounds if it is frozen or covered in frost. Damage can and will occur if there is any disturbance at these times.
• The golf course has come though winter in good condition. There are small areas of ice damage on fairways: low spots that held standing water during mid winter melting. The tee surfaces are in excellent shape and the greens look good aside from a few spots of ice damage that are mostly on the perimeter of a few sites. Any snow blower scars or ice damage will heal as growing conditions improve.

 

Hole #8 is still almost completely covered.





The Green Jacket covers will be removed from 6,8 and 18 on Wednesday.

Still amazed at how effective winter fungicides are in controlling snow mold.

9 green and rough surrounds looking good. Notice the border where fungicide application stops in the rough.

#12 looking back towards the tees.

12 green and approach. This is the general look of all the greens aside from the 3 that are not uncovered yet. We'll know more on Wednesday.