Tees - Covers Bring Color

In a previous post a few weeks ago, I listed a photo of the synthetic cover that we had placed on the lower half of the driving range tee. We did this to help trap and retain some heat under the tarps so the turf would green up quicker and protect it from the heavy frosts on spring mornings. Notice how dark green the turf color is around the square area that we left uncovered. This process might help with moving from the artificial surfaces to the turf surfaces a bit sooner in the spring.
In the photo below, the turf on the left was covered and the turf on the right remained uncovered.

New Tee Distance Markes

The photo below exhibits the new tee distance markers that have been chosen for the golf course. We began placing the markers on the white and red tees nines yesterday.The markers are temporarily placed on a firm dirt surface. We will come back and place them on a concrete base. The markers will replace the previous round CDGA markers. They will take a bit more labor and attention in the trimming tasks but they do provide an attractive presentation.

Flagsticks In

The flagsticks are in the greens. Don't let the sunny blue sky in the photo fool you. It is 33 degrees and sunny but it is very cold today on the course. Keep in mind that it will be some time before the turf begins to actively grow. It will begin to green-up but will not really begin to grow until the soil temperatures reach the high 50s or low 60s at a 2 inch depth.
The course is still very wet from the melted snow and will be slow to dry out until the daytime temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. Please check with the golf course condition line or the Golf Shop over the next few weeks if you plan to play golf. Any significant rainfall amounts, excessively cold temperatures or prolonged frosts could affect the opening of the golf course. See you soon.

Spring Greens

The photo above shows a temperature reading of 48.2 degrees on #1 Red green at 2:00 PM today. The temperature reading at8:00 AM was 38.6 degrees. While the turf may start to green-up at lower soil temperatures, the grass will not being to actively grow until soil temperatures at a 2 inch depth are in the mid to high 50s. The AM to PM soil temperatures can vary considerably this time of year due to the freezing overnight lows and the potential sunny afternoon conditions.

The photo above is of #4 Red green. Notice the different colors in the green. This is due to the ice and drainage patterns from the winter months. The darker areas are the wetter areas of the green. This same situation can hold true following heavy rainfalls throughout the year. This is why some locations on a green can be firmer than another.

The photo above shows the damage incurred from the hoofs of a deer running on the new #9 Blue green

A New Look

We continue to improve the appearance and aesthetics on the NCC golf course.
The photos below exhibit the improvement in the previous and current flowerbed border and steps behind the #2 Blue Green. I hope you like the new look. The rock border matches the rock work that has been constructed on Red #7 and Blue #5 along the lakes.
The photo above is of the railroad tie and dirt slope walkway at #2 Blue Green

The photo above is the new rock border and steps behind #2 Blue Green

Greens - Getting Ready

In preparation for opening the golf course, we implement the necessary of cleaning and rolling the greens. Coming out of winter, the putting surfaces are soft and "spongy" due to the freezing and thawing process caused by cold temperatures and melting snow.
Greens are rolled to smooth and firm them in preparation for opening

Blowing debris off the greens

Range Tee Cover

In previous years I have kept the range open later into the fall and opened it early in the spring so the membership could hit off the turf longer. The drawback to this is that during the colder fall and spring months the turf does not grow and regenerate itself. The soil temperature are too cool at these times. The result is tighter lies for practice. Once the air and soil temperatures increase, the turf will begin to grow. Temperature governs the plant process, both slowing and increasing growth.

The photo above shows the covered portion of the range tee

Greens - Soft

The photos below provide an indication of how soft the greens are coming out of the winter. The putting greens is a new construction and it will take a few months to firm up. The softness is a result of the newness of the green and the freeze-thaw cycles during the winter and spring. You can see the footprints in the turf. The white greens are firmer because they are much older. The red greens are a bit soft but we will roll them to firm them up and they will be playable very soon. Right now, all areas of the course are wet and soft due to the melted snow.

Welcome

Welcome to the Northmoor Turf blogsite. The site has been developed so that you, the members of Northmoor Country Club, can have the venue to explore some of the things that are happening on the golf course. Golfers tend to have a keen interest in the course, the playing conditions and the activities they see occuring on the course. I will try and present information and photographs relating to some of the necessary and important aspects of our golf course management programs and processes. Managing and maintaining our 230 acre golf course property is an art and a science that is heavily influenced by varying weather conditions and impacts. I want to be able to provide you with the realistic and accurate information regarding the golf course and the Northmoor Country Club grounds and landscaping. Feel free to ask any questions. My degree in Turfgrass Science from Texas A&M, combined with twenty five years of managing upper end private courses has prepared me to offer you the best answers to your questions and concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

Melting Snow

The temperatures soared to above 60 degrees on Wednesday and almost all of the snow melted in a single day. As you can imagine, the course is soaked and very soft due to the numerous feet of melting snow that we have had this winter. Sunshine, high winds, and warmer temperatures are the key to drying out the course so that it can begin to firm up.
The photo below is of Red #1 fairway. There is still ice on the turf.

This is a photo of White #1 fairway. There is still some snow and it is very wet.

Snow Mold

There are several types of snow mold related diseases that can cause significant damage on golf course turf. These diseases can occur under snow or on open ground. I won't get into the specifics of the diseases but due to their potential severity, we take precautions by applying a fall application of fungicide to help prevent the occurance of these threats.

The snow molds develop for a variety of reasons but mostly due to the combination of humidity, wetness, temperature ranges, and extended periods of snow coverage.


Microdochium Patch - Snow Mold

Fall fungicide applications

Tree Screening

The photo above shows how we are in the process of screening the Golf Course Operations Facility from the golfers view on #1 Red. We will plant a total of 10 to 12 Norway Spruce trees behind the green to screen the buildings. We constructed a 4 foot berm and we are planting 18 to 20 foot trees on top of the berm. Smaller ornamental planting will used to screen the lower view of the parking lot. The screening project should soften the view of the buildings and reduce the noise of the machinery and equipment entering and exiting the facility. I will send photos of the project when it is completed.

Warm But Not Ready

The photo above was taken today (March 4th.) The sun was shining and the temperature was in the high 40s but we still have almost a foot of snow on the course.