Winter Golf

The greens and tees are now closed for the season.  Temporary greens and tees are in place for winter play.   The greens surfaces are now frozen and snow covered.  Winter play is permitted when there is no frost present.  

Rainfall 2019

The photos below are of the rainfall days and amounts that we received on site at NCC during the golfing season in 2019.  The goal lof any Golf Couse Manager is to maintain the course conditions as firm and dry as possible while keeping a balance to keep the turf in a healthy condition.  Rainfall has a huge impact on course conditioning.  It is not only the amount of rain that occurs during a timeframe but it is the frequency and amounts combined that affect playing conditions.  When rainfall occurs, even in small amounts every few days, the course does dry as quickly.  Sunlight, wind and warm temperatures are necessary for quicker course drying conditions.
                                                              
  Rainfall and snow days in April

  16 days of rainfall in May

 12  days of rainfall in June

 6 days of rainfall in July

 10 days of rainfall in August

                                          
15 days of rainfall in September

 

Bunkers Are Not The Same

The new bunkers that we installed on the red and blue nines were constructed with the both the best new technology in bunker liners and the best sand in the industry.  The playability of the bunkers is tremendous.  Even though the new bunkers are of the highest construction quality, they are still subject to rainfall.   They do drain and dry quicker but individual bunkers will play differently for several days following a rain. 

Bunkers will play differently throughout the golf course.  Based on their size, location to the green, the amount of play that they receive and where they are located in relation to sunlight, wind and shade will all affect the playing surfaces of the bunkers..  

The photo below is an example of two bunkers, in close proximity, that might play differently.
The small bunker in front of red #1 green will likely be a bit "fluffier" than the bunker just behind it to the left of the green for two reasons.  The bunker is very small and will "catch" more balls because it is in front of the green.  Ball will roll to and accumulate in the very small area of the floor of the bunker.  Numerous golf shots will result in more disturbed sand, more footprints and increased raking.   The bunker located slightly behind and to the left of the green is located more in the shade and will slower to dry following a rainfall.   Thus, both bunkers, constructed the same and with the exact same sand will play differently. 

The video below is a good explanation of why all bunkers will not play consistently.

The aesthetics and playability of the new bunkers new bunkers are tremendous.

 

                                                          
 

August Rainfall - Impacts on Turf Conditions

WGN's weather expert, Tom Skilling, reported that the month of August is the highest rain fall average based on perennial records.   Rainfall is only one of the factors that contributes to playing conditions.   Rainfall, higher humidity and hotter temperatures in August combine to impact the turf to a point it gets a bit "puffy" and not as firm and tight as normal.   This is an annual occurrence for every golf course in the North portion of the country. 

It has rained 9 of the  first 21 days of August. When it is warm and humid, it takes 3-4 days of sunshine and windy conditions to dry the course after a rain.

 

 

 

It takes a number of days following rainfalls for the course to dry.

 

 

 

Driving Range Practice Patterns

The photos below, presented by the USGA, exhibit the turf damage resulting from 30 practice shots.  The purpose of the photo is to emphasize how the linear divot patter can aide in a quicker turf recovery.   Please utilize the linear divot pattern during your practice sessions.   Thanks for your help.

The photo below exhibits how much more turf is impacted by a random divot pattern.
This pattern will take longer for the turf to recover and be of lesser quality for a longer period.

Summer On The Golf Course

Below is a video from the USGA sharing some of the factors relating to golf course management challenges during the summer months.   Enjoy.

Why Does Turf Have To Be Watered During The DAy

The video below gives a description of why water might need to be applied during the day to greens during the summer stress months.  It is a common practice at every golf course.

The second video explains why turf dies in the heat.

Enjoy

 

Weather Roller Coaster

Not only does the weather change rapidly but those weather conditions directly affect the playability of the golf course.   It was just several short weeks ago that the golf course was saturated, standing water and wet from the frequent rains.  Now, less than a few weeks later the soil is dry and cracking and the turf is wilting and dry.  We deal with what mother nature throws at us.

Two weeks ago the staff was squeeging standing water in the fairways

After only a week of dry, hot and windy weather, the course is drying out and quite firm.

Soils have transitioned from totally wet to bone dry and cracking in some areas

The greens and fairways have dried out and even started wilting.

Today the staff is cooling and syringing the greens to prevent wilt and keep the turf alive

 

 

 

 

Wet Wet Wet

The weather has had a significant impact on both our NCC members and the Golf Course Operations team.  Below are a few photos of how the rainfall has hampered the golf course and the golf course operations team this spring. 


I am sure it will be hot and dry soon enough. 

While the extensive rain days have frustrated our golfers, the Golf Course Operations team members have struggled with staying dry as they prepare the course.

Staff is squeeging water on the fairways

Team members have pumped and cleaned the white bunkers over 20 time this spring

Wet Spring

We have had quite a wet spring.  April, May and June have had numerous days of rainfall.  However, the course is in great shape.  The roughs continue to stay wet.  Shade, low areas, lack of sub-surface drainage, limited air flow and higher cutting heights contribute to the roughs staying wetter than the fairways.  The greens, tees, fairways and bunkers are still in a quality condition each day.

The roughs have been wet this spring

Another thunder storm over NCC

Just when we think we have issues, the farmers in the Mid-West are in trouble

Rainfall 2019

Weather dominates and impacts everything relating to golf course maintenance.  Excessive rainfall limits our ability to have the course in peak condition.  Wet-overcast or hot-humid conditions are ideal catalysts for 10-15 different diseases to attack the turf. 

Our goal is to keep the course as dry as possible.  Drier turf is much healthier than a lush-damp turf.  However, we have to deal with what Mother Nature throws at us.   Golf is an outside sport and rarely are two days the same with the weather.  Every agronomic practice that we implement is geared towards delivering firm playing surfaces.  But the weather does not always cooperate. 

We are in the middle of another cool-wet-rainy spring here on the North Shore of Chicago.  With the cooler temperatures, the lack of sunlight and rainfall every other day, the course cannot dry out. 

April Rain & Snow Days

When weather conditions limit the opportunity for the course to dry then the course will be softer for days after the last rainfall.  The standing water and cart tracks exhibit this fact.

 

May rainfall dates

 

 

Bunkers Working As Advertised

Following over an inch of rain, the new bunkers on #1 Red are functioning properly.   There is no erosion around the edges and there is no standing water. 


Below is a photo of how the old bunker looked previously after a heavy rainfall.
It was heavily eroded and mud in the bottom of the bunker

Below is how the same bunker looked today in the middle of a rain.  No erosion, no muddy contamination and no standing water. 

 Notice the standing water in the green but none in the floor of the bunker.

New Bunkers

The bunker renovation on the red and blue courses is complete.  I think you will like the way they play.  The bunkers will be drier and present more consistent playing conditions.

Red #1 bunker following a heavy rainfall
                 
Red # 1 greenside bunker before the renovation

Red # 1 greenside bunker after the renovation

Blue # 6 bunker view before the renovation

Blue # 6 bunker view after the renovation

Red # 9 bunker before the renovation

Red # 9 bunker after the renovation

Aerification - The Whole Story

Why is it necessary to aerify greens, tees and fairways?  Please view the video.

Augusta National -

Each April, golfers across the country view the awe inspiring Augusta National Golf Club as it hosts The Masters.  There is nothing like it. If you haven't actually walked the course, it is impossible to grasp the changing elevations from tee to green.  The shapes and slopes of the greens are tremendously challenging.  A 10 foot putt can easily be 4 putted or putted completely off the green.  Take a look at the photos below.


These beautiful and near perfect conditions do not occur by accident. 
There is no limit to the operating budget at Augusta National.

The greens are SEVERELY slope.

Some putts can have as much as a 30 foot break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some holes have as much as a 30-50 foot elevation change.
This is why you see balls roll so far on holes like 10, 13, 15, etc.
There is unlimited machinery available for manicuring the golf course.
There are 13-14 fairway mowers on this hole.
Most 18-hole courses have only 3-4 fairway mowers in inventory.

Greens are mowed and rolled as many as 4-5 times a day to achieve the desired speeds.
Greens can be mowed prior and post play.

There are hundreds of volunteers preparing the course during tournament week.


Below shows 9 people deciding on the daily cupping location.

Most courses have 4-5 men that prepare the bunkers for daily play.
There are 22 volunteers preparing the bunkers on this one hole at Augusta National.

7 volunteers check for ball marks on this one green at Augusta National

This is the size volunteer staff for a major event like The Masters.
It is not uncommon to have several hundred volunteers for major events.
Many 18 hole courses have a staff of 18-25 employees.

Imagine having the budget and labor force to have 12-15 employees painting curbs.

Augusta National is closed from May - September every year.
That doesn't happen at other courses in the South.

As you can see, there is no comparison of Augusta National to even the best of private facilities.