Record Setting

How do you control the uncontrollable?  You don't.  When it comes to managing the playing conditions of a golf course, we have to adjust to the weather conditions.

We try to maximize the advantages of optimum & favorable weather conditions when they exist.  We also implement agronomic practices and processes to minimize the effects that stressful & negative weather conditions have on the turfgrass plants.  A significant amount of the art and science that we utilize in the maintaining premier golfing conditions revolves around the short and long term weather influences.

The chart below shows that the soil temperatres in mid-March are 20 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year.  This abnormality means that we are already implementing practices that we would normally do in May or early June.

Spring Course Preparation

The snow is gone and the temperatures are moderating.  We will be opening the course soon.  There will be thousands of hours of preparation before many of you will play the course this season.  Below are just a few of the many tasks that are in the process of getting the course ready for play this spring. 

As you can see, the greens are still dormant. 

Sticks and debris are blown off the greens in preparation for the first rolling and mowing.

Greens are rolled to firm the soft spring surfaces

Notice the footprints in the soft greens at the bottom portion of the photo.

The greens are still very soft.

We will mow the greens for the first time in the spring as soon as they begin to firm-up from the rolling

All course accessories have been refurbished and are ready for the season

New signs have been constructed in-house that match the design of other course accessories

                  Plant materials are pruned and cleaned

                  All flower beds are cleaned and mulched

Mulch is spread in the beds

                     All accessories are sanded and painted

The irrigatioin pumphouse controls have been tested and readied

                         The irrigation has to be re-charged

             Covers have been removed from the driving range too

                 The range divots are smoothed and seeded

                The course hazards and OB are marked

                  Bunkers are cleared of leaves and the sand is re-distributed to even levels

                    Accessories are placed on the course

Limbs throughout the property are collected

Many of you have asked about our Border Collie and goose dog, Polly.  She is 11 years old now and her health is failing a bit.  She is still a trooper and loves to be out on the course and chasing geese.  She is a very special member of our team.

                 

Course Opening

GOLF IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

While it has been a unusually warm winter, we currently still have snow cover on the golf course.  As is the case each spring, our target date for opening the course is April 1st.  This date can vary by a few days to a week earlier or later depending on the weather.  We will be providing updates on the course opening on this blog site as well as on the condition line.  I will also be sending out an email to those of you who have provided me with your email addresses for course updates.

We will be implementing a new flag color scheme and design this spring.  We will red and white flags for the red nine, black and white flags for the white nine and blue and white flags for the blue nine.  Proofs of the new flags are pictured below.  The only difference from the photos is that the NCC logo will be a solid black color and not just and outline.  There will be no front - middle- back color coordination.

The flag below is from the LaQuinta Resort course in Palm Springs.  This is a real photo of what our new flags will look like.  I hope you find them attractive and to your liking. 

Holiday Season

My family and I would like to wish each of you and your families and loved ones a safe, blessed and joyous holiday season.  I hope you have the time and opportunity to share with your family and friends and those who are in need of our company at this special time of the year.  Best wishes to all.

New Tee #2 Red

Dr. Hurdzan agreed that a forward tee on #2 red would be a positive addition.  Therefore, we have just completed the construction of a new tee on #2 red.  The tee is located between the existing men's tee and the ladies tee.  This will be a white tee location.  I think those of you who play the white tees will find it very friendly and enjoyable. 

The area before the new tee

Rootzone mix was hauled in for the top of the tee.

Rootzone mix is leveled for the top of the tee.

In-house staff lays sod around the new tee
Quite a cold day for laying sod 

                           

Sod for the top of the tee will be laid in the spring

Another project completed by a great NCC staff.

These guys are very talented and do a great job.

Why do you put sand on the fairways?

Over the last 4 or 5 years we have implemented a topdressing program following aerificaiton on the fairways.  In this process, sand is applied to the fairways for the main purpose of controlling thatch.  I have included a description and photos of what excessive thatch is and how it can negatively affect turfgrass quality and playing conditions.  An additional benefit to a regular fairway topdressing program is that it assists in creating a drier surface on the turf so that carts can get out on the fairways sooner following a rainfall. 

Thatch is a layer of living and dead organic matter that occurs between the green matter and the soil surface. Excessive thatch (over 1/2 inch thick) creates a favorable environment for pests and disease, an unfavorable growing environment for grass roots, and can interfere with quality golfing conditions. 

The primary component of thatch is turfgrass stems and roots. It accumulates as these plant parts buildup faster than they breakdown. Thatch problems are due to a combination of biological, cultural, and environmental factors. Cultural practices can have a big impact on thatch. As thatch levels accumulate to greater than 1/2 inch, turf problems may begin, and the thatch needs to be controlled. .

Below, once again you can see the thatch layer between the bottom of the turf and the gray colored soil.  The area is dense and tangled and attracts insects and is a haven for disease occurrence.  In dry periods this layer keeps water from getting deeper into the soil and to the roots where the plants can utilize the water.  During wet periods the thatch acts like a sponge and hold water reducing the ability for the turf to drain.

The soil probe photo below shows another of undesirable and excessive thatch in a turf.

Fairway aerification is implemented to reduce thatch and have firmer and drier turf surfaces

Aerification plugs are "chopped-up"

The tufts of grass left from the aerificaiton & the chopping process are blown together for collection & removal
                                
Sand topdressing is then applied to the turf.

A brush or steel drag mat is then used to drag the sand into the aerification which aides in providing channels for better surface drainage and oxygen exchange to the roots as well as reducing thatch levels.

How does thatch affect turf quality?
An excessive thatch layer (more than 1 inch) can restrict the movement of air, water, fertilizer and other materials to the roots. This air- and water-impervious layer causes the grass to restrict rooting to the thatch layer which in turn reduces drought resistance in the turf. Additionally, if the thatch dries out, it becomes very difficult to re-wet with out the use of wetting agents or mechanical manipulation.

What factors influence the seasonal opening and closing of the range tee?

The NCC driving range is a busy place.  It receives more activity than any private club driving range that I have ever seen.  Thousands of ball are hit each day.   In order for the surface to be ready for spring play, it is necessary to give it the attention it needs in the fall while the growing conditions are still favorable for recovery. 

It wasn't long ago that the driving range tee was in poor condition on a year round basis (see photo below.)Despite enlarging the range grass tee by 2.5 times in size, we still rotate through the range tee 3 or 4 times a year.  Many clubs do not even go through their full range tee once or even twice in a year.   Unlimited ball access, active lesson schedules and just plain ole practice impact the range turf at NCC.

If we want quality hitting conditions as witnessed below in the spring when the course opens then there are early fall measures that must be taken to prepare the grass tee and the short game hitting area.

The photos below are examples of the extensive divots and wear on the range tee and short game approach turf.  These areas must be seeded and topdressed and leveled while the weather is still warm enough to germinate the seed and have it fill-in before the frosts of the fall and ice of the winter impacts it.

Without closing the range tee in October for re-seeding then this is how some of the areas would look when we open the course in the spring.  Grass does not grow in the winter months under the snow.

Divots in the short game area must be re-seeded and allowed to germinate while the weather permits.