Bunkers New Performance

We recently received in excess of 3 inches of rainfall over a 3 day period.   The photos below show how the new bunker technology and sand has performed in comparison to the older liners and sand.  The playability and condition of the new bunkers will be vastly improved.

The new Better Billy Bunker technology and higher grade of sand is performing very well.
There is no erosion after the recent rainfall in the red # 1 greenside bunker.

The photo below is of the same red # 1 greenside bunker before the bunker renovation.
Notice the extreme erosion and contamination.

Blue Nine Bunker Renovation

Red #4 bunker - The previous sand

Red #4 bunker- The new sand

The red nine bunker renovation is complete and the project has shifted to the blue nine.  The weather continues to impact the project to a degree.   The contractor is  continuing to work as long as the weather permits.  
The two bunkers at the short game area will be renovated upon completion of the blue nine bunkers.

Below is a progress report on the blue nine bunkers as of December 18th.

Blue	Total #	Edged	Sod	Gravel	Polymer	Sand
Nine	Bunkers
#1	3	3	3	3	2
#2	4	4	4	4	3
#3	5	5	5	5	5	4
#4	2	2	2	2	2	3
#5	3	3	3	3	3	2
#6	9	9	9	9	8	4
#7	4	4	4	4	4
#8	4	4	4	4	4
#9	5	5	5	5	5
%
Complete	39	100%	100%	100%	92%	26 %

Bunker Fact Turf

We will be installing new turf around the red and blue bunker complexes.   There were some areas where bentgrass had contaminated the bluegrass turf.  The bentgrass was unsightly & more difficult to play from. 

We will be utilizing Black Beauty fescue around the bunkers.   This is a low mowed turf that will be maintained at the same height that we previously maintained the turf.   The advantage to the fescue species is that it has improved drought tolerance and does not wilt as quickly as the bluegrass.  We are taking advantage of newer and improved turfgrass research and turf genetics.   The playability will be quite similar. 

The photo  below is of the temperature and water stressed bluegrass turf on the bunker slope

The photo below is of #6 white bunker face where we replaced the bluegrass with the fescue species several years ago.  It handles the hotter temperatures and drought very well.

Bunker Renovation Progress

Below is a scorecard that offers the current progress and status of the bunker renovation.  We began with the red nine and will transfer shortly to the blue nine.  All that is left to do on the red nine is to install the new sand in the bunkers.   The previous steps of edging, removing the old sand, adding gravel, spraying the polymer coating over the gravel have all been completed.  The continued rain days are limiting our ability to get heavier tractors and trailers onto the course to deliver the sand to the bunkers.  As soon as it dries we will continue with the sand work.

We will open the red nine as soon as the last bunker has sand installed.  Hopefully that will be the end of this week (October 20th.)

This is a partial amount of the new sand that will be placed in the renovated red and blue bunkers.

Red nine bunker renovation is now completed.  The reviews are very positive.

Red	Total #	Edged	New	Gravel	Polymer	Sand
Nine	Bunkers		Sod
#1	4	4	4	4	4	4
#2	5	5	5	5	5	5
#3	4	4	4	4	4	4
#4	2	2	2	2	2	2
#5	4	4	4	4	4	4
#6	1	1	1	1	1	1
#7	1	1	1	1	1	1
#8	5	5	4	4	4	4
#9	6	6	6	6	6	6
	32	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
	%	Completed

Bunker Renovation Update

The following photos represent the steps involved in the bunker renovation process.

The new vertical edges of the bunkers are shaped

The old sod is removed from around the bunker

The contaminated sand is removed from the bunkers

The drainage is checked for proper performance

New sod is added around the bunker

New gravel is added to the floor of the bunker 

A polymer is sprayed on top of the gravel

 

Our staff checks the polymer application for proper polymer levels

The new sand is added to the bunkers

Sand depths are checked for proper depth

 

The new sand is compacted to firm the surface

                                                       

                               The finished product

 

Flooding - September 3, 2018

Almost 5 inches of rain in the last week.  2.5 inches this morning.


                                          White # 4

Red # 8

Why Turf Dies In The Summer

What effects do high summer temperatures have on the health of turfgrass, especially low mowed turf such as golf course fairways and greens.   Enjoy the video.

Tree Influences On The Turf Conditions

The subject of trees on the golf course can be an emotional one.  
The two  USGA videos listed below share the agronomic influences that trees can have  on the quality of the golf course and the playing conditions.  Please take a look.
                                                  

Treeshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cafVxkWt1GI&t=59s

Topdressing Greens

                                WHY IS SAND APPLIED TO PUTTING GREENS?

Light and frequent sand topdressing creates smooth, firm putting surfaces.

For most, there are three primary characteristics that constitute a quality putting surface: (1) a smooth surface, (2) a firm surface and (3) healthy turf. There is no question that adequate sunlight, water and nutrients are essential to provide healthy turf, but what contributes to the more subjective aspects of smoothness and firmness? These two critical components are tied together by one common link – high quality topdressing sand.  Sand topdressing has been the great equalizer, helping to dilute organic material and create smooth, firm surfaces.  Applying sand to the putting greens is often a source of frustration for some players, but a quick look at how putting greens would perform without sand topdressing reveals its importance.

Senior Assistant - David Bibler

The next time you are on the course and have the opportunity, please say hello and welcome David Bibler, our team's new Senior Assistant Superintendent.   David joins NCC from Greensboro CC in Greensboro, NC.  He has already helped make an impact over the last three weeks.   I am fortunate that he chose to join our team.  He will be a valuable asset to our operation.  David has previous experience at three other Donald Ross designed courses. 

Spring Weather 2018

Weather has a significant impact on any golf course operation.   The North Shore of Chicago has a particular micro-climate that is influenced by the closeness and temperatures of the lake.  Our temperatures are generally cooler than many of the Chicagoland areas resulting in slower drying opportunities.  The following headlines are just a few of the many & daily spring 2018 weather reports.   I thought you would find them interesting as they have dramatically impacted our golf course this spring.

Northmoor Spring Rains & Flooding


This photo says it all about this spring.  Plenty of standing water for the ducks.
                                            

                                      

Roughs are saturated

        Rain days in May & June
                                                                  

                              

                                    

Through Friday evening the Chicago area has officially logged 15.05 inches of rain since May 1; 8.21 inches in May and 6.84 inches so far in June. If no additional rain fell the rest of the month, the 2018 May-June tandem would rank as the second wettest in recorded history.

More spring snow in Chicago, and forecasters call April's start among coldest in 130 years

Some 1-2 inches of snow were expected to fall by early Thursday, adding to the 2.7 inches already recorded at O’Hare International Airport in April.  It is rare. … Getting anything an inch-plus is definitely rare this time of year,” Mott said.

The average temperature for April is 46.6 degrees, but this month is registering more than 10 degrees lower — at 36.2 degrees, the weather service said.

Illinois May Have Set Its All-Time April Record Low as Temperatures Plunge Below Zero in the Midwest

Chicago experiencing one of the coldest Aprils on record

Flood warning issued for the far north suburbs.

Posted 6:19 PM, June 18, 2018, by Paul Merzlock

 

 

Flower Time

It is that time of year again.  Lorrie and her staff are planting thousands of flowers.  Lorrie is also doing her annual container arrangements.    Thanks to Sergio, Vincente and Trevino for their fine work with the flower planting and landscaping care.


   Sergio, Trevino & Vincente
                                                                      

Lorrie is preparing the flower containers again this season.

                                                               

Aerification Process

After postponing our green's aerification for a week  due to ice and snow last week, we began aerifying the greens today.  The cooler weather will have a slowing affect on the recovery of the greens but these processes are necessary so that the surfaces will be healthy during the season.
Green speeds are generally slower for 3-4 days following aerification and topdressings because the sand significantly dulls the mower blades. Eventually the sand works its way off of the turf surface. 
Below are the processes that we use during the aerification process. 

Sand is spread over the green's surface 

The green is aerified.  Sand is injected into the upper end of the soil profile

The surface is mechanically brushed to spread sand into the open holes

Hand brushes are used to make sure the holes are filled level with the turf

 Excess sand laying on the surface of the green is removed using blowers

The greens are  rolled to help level and firm the surfaces.  Aerification generally softens the surface for an initial period until the holes heal and the surface firms.