Weather Influences

For many golfers the memories of the record setting drought and temperatures of the summer of 2012 are behind them.  Golfers will be excitingly anticipating a new 2013 spring golfing season and ready to pick up right where they left off at the end of last summer.

However, the weather influences of last summer, or any season for that matter, have a significant impact on the health and condition of the golf course during the upcoming 6 to 12 months.  For example, at NCC we are still approximately 8 to 10 inches deficient in rainfall and moisture from normal annual rainfall and snow amounts.  This means that the turf and trees entered fall and winter season in a dry and somewhat stressed condition and will therefore enter the spring in that same stressed condition. 

Managing a golf course is very different from managing any indoor operation.  Indoor operations can be controlled.  Outdoor weather conditions which significantly and totally influence the management of a golf course are uncontrollable.  Therefore the golf course will play different everyday. 

The photos below from late last summer and into the fall exhibit just a few of the stressed conditions in some of the areas of high golf cart traffic in the fairways and the extremely dry conditions in the roughs last summer as a result of record setting heat and drought.

The 2700 trees on the course uptake hundreds of gallons of water from the soil subsurface.

 

                                                                                                  

                                                             

Quote from Dr. Derek Settle  - CDGA Turfgrass Pathologist

"Presently the lack of snowfall for Chicago does not bode well (my professional opinion). We have not seen winter desiccation of turf (sand-based systems particularly vulnerable) for several years. This might be one... we shall see. Or in layman's terms if you prefer: "No Snow = Uh Oh for Chicago's Fine Golf Turf."

The lack of winter snow can leave the turf vulnerable to low temperature kill and winter dessication.  We could use a few inches of good snow cover.  

The high winds last night tore the covers off the two new red nine greens.  Assistant Superintendent John Morris braves the 10 degree weather  Sunday morning to replace the green's covers.  The covers are utilized to protect the young turf from winter ice and wind damage.

Snow Finally on January 24th  Much Needed for moisture and turf protection

 

Polly

Many of you knew that Polly's health had been declining over the past year. Over the past two weeks her condition worsened to a point where the vet suggested that it was now time to let her go.  She was the most well trained and behaved dog that I have ever been around. She came us us as a two year old goose dog in 2003 and left us today as a loved one and friend. One could not spend 8 to 12 hours a day with a magnificent animal like Polly without gaining a tremendous admiration for her personality, work ethic, loyalty and willingness to please.

Our sadness today is the price we pay for the closeness we developed during the days and years of having and enjoying Polly being part of our team. Today our staff lost a member, a valued companion and loyal friend.  We will get another Border Collie to help keep the geese away but we will always have our memories of Polly.  She will never be replaced.  She has a permanent place in my heart.

 

                                     
                                                       

 

Fall Golf Course Projects

There are many work related projects that continue on the golf course during the fall months.  Even though golfers turn in their clubs for their winter coats, the Golf Course Operations staff prepares the course for the coming winter.  Below are a few of the fall tasks that must be completed before the winter cold and snow arrive.  Many of these fall tasks are actually necessary to insure the quality and healthy condition of the turf for next spring and summer. 

           Trees are transplanted
                                             

         New trees are planted

The two new red greens are growing in

The new red greens are fertilized weekly

Covers are put on and removed from the 2 new red greens as temperatures dictate

 

Fairways are aerified to improve drainage and reduce thatch accumulation

Greens are aerified improving drainage & improve

 oxygen exchange

Fairways are topdressed to improve firmness

Topdressing sand is dragged into the turf

Lorrie is putting new plant materials in the patio pots

All beds have been cleaned, trimmed and are ready for spring growth and plantings

The staff is still busy blowing and collecting leaves on the course

The parking lot area is cleaned for the winter

We are busy with cart path repair while the weather permits

Greens, tees and fairways are sprayed with preventative plant protectants to guard against winter disease occurrence when the turf is under the insulation of snow cover.

Disease - Snow Mold   This is why we spray

These are just a few of the tasks the staff does during the fall months.

Enjoy your winter.  We will take care of the course while you are away.

See you in the spring.

Fall Color

Included in this post are fall photos of the golf course and the progress of the two new red greens.
                                    Lorrie has added fall color to the walkway and clubhouse pots

                                                                             

                                                                       

Polly - A little older and grayer but still a grand lady

The golf course is in tremendous condition

2700 trees -  Lots of leaves being mulched and collected

Constant blowing of leaves off of the green's surface

Plenty of leaves to collect around the buildings

Aerification of the fairways is an agronomic necessity.

It relieves golf cart compaction, removes thatch accumulation

and it increases oxygen into the turf root zone

We will increase fairway topdressing which will assist in increasing firmness and dryness to the fairways.  However, you will notice tighter lies in the future.

We have added two new bentgrass chipping areas to the short game green.

This will help distribute the heavy use and numerous divots.

Keep in mind the short game area is mean for chip shots and sand shots.

Longer wedge shots are not encouraged.

We will be putting on and removing the green's covers on the two new red greens on various days depending on the weather forecast. 

The seed is germinating on the new red greens

John is doing the 1st mowing on the new #9 green

Numerous drainage projects are in progress

                                                                                                                                          

The Men Behind the Scenes

The photo below is of the staff members of the Golf Course Management Operation.  These men are the silent, behind the scene, heros of NCC who diligently go about their responsibilites every day  preparing and maintaining the golf course.  Rainfall, freezing temperatures, 100 degree heat and any other inclement weather conditions that Mother Natures challenges us with are just part of what awaits these men when they take to the course at daylight (or before) each morning. 

Rare is the golfer who realizes that prior to their 7:00 am tee off that the 34 men on our staff have already put in 70 man hours of work to begin preparing the course.  175 man hours of preparation will be accomplished on the holes ahead of play before the golfer finishes their round of play.  By the end of an 8 hour day, the men will have work almost 300 total hours to meet their tasks for the day.  During peak periods of extreme heat during summer, as many as 8 to 10 staff members will work an extra 4 or 5 hours of hand watering isolated and stressed turf areas.  Therefore on any given day, counting the hours our staff members do to help Adam with the range, the guys may a total of 400 man hours of work.  Premier golfing conditions do not happen by accident and when there are so many different tasks to do, it becomes even more challenging to provide great turf and yet minimize employee exposure to the golfers.
                                            
These are the men who prepare and maintain the golf course for you.

                                                      
The gentleman below is Gregario Pantoja.  Gregario has been a member of the NCC membership and Golf Course Operations staff for over 20 years.  This will be his last season at Northmoor.   As of late, his main responsibility has been to repair fairway divots.   If you knew more about Gregario, you would be as impressed with him as I am for what he brings to the club each day.  He has not missed a day of work in the 9 years I have been at Northmoor.   He will be retiring in October so if you see him on fairways, steadily repairing divots, please give him a wave and a smile or even a thank you.  It is men like him who make NCC a wonderful golfing venue.

                                                  
Some of you have inquired about Polly's health.  She is now 11 years old.  She has an enlarged heart which causes a fluid build-up in her lungs.  She has visits to the vet to have the fluid drained but she is still lively and enyoys giving the geese a scare.  She is excellent at her job.  When she isn't chasing geese she stays active by rolling her soccer ball.  She is a special member of our team. 

Polly and her ball video