Fall Update and a Course Closing Date

Even though the weather over the last few weeks has been miserable the golf course is holding up very well and playing great. The upcoming forecast looks promising so we're hoping to see a lot more members out enjoying the conditions. Fall is aeration season so expect some disruption over the next few weeks. The tees and approaches were completed in late August and it went well especially since we had the staff numbers to finish this difficult task quickly and efficiently.

We had planned to core aerate the fairways (pull a plug) but the wet weather has forced us to reevaluate and thus we will be solid tineing (punching a hole with no plug) instead. It would be too difficult to clean up plugs with frost delays and little drying time this late in September. The heavier final fairway topdressing program will commence at the same time. This process has begun today, Monday the 24th.

Greens will be aerated immediately after the Thanksgiving long weekend. Nine holes will be closed each day so we can complete the work in drier conditions with no disruption for the Turf Care team. It is a little later than usual so that everyone will get an extra week of good putting surfaces, especially after the start we experienced earlier this season. Do not expect much recovery on the greens as the growth rate is almost non existent in October.

Closing Date:  October 21st will be the last day of golf for the 2018 season. Following this date the Turf Care team will be able to accomplish several important tasks in a more timely manner:

• The final fungicide applications can be done without disruption and having to be concerned with exposure to golfers.
• Leaf cleanup is much more efficient.
• The arduous process of covering the greens can begin without interruption and without the rush we have experienced in the past. Of course this is under the assumption that winter stays away until its usual arrival around the end of the month.
• Preparation for the resodding of the entire 2nd green and the front section of 15 green. (see below)

This all predicated on the goal of trying to ensure the best possible conditions for the entire membership in the spring of 2019.

Resodding Projects

1. The decision has been made to resod all of 2 green. It is a mix of several turf types that have not performed well over the last few years. We will be preparing the surface after the course closes and sodding asap in the spring using the same turf (creeping bentgrass) that is on 15 green. The green will not be in play until later in May and it will be a careful process to ensure its health for the entire summer.
2. The front section of 15 will under go the same process. The reasoning here is to match the rest of the green and thus present a consistent putting surface. That green should be opened much quicker as we can use the back section for play.