July 3, 2025

Course Update – July 1

Jul 3, 2025

As June comes to a close it was great month for the game of golf.  That being said we only received a total of ½” rainfall through the entire month.  The property is beginning to show drought and heat stress with the lack of rain.  We have been watering 100% in evenings across the large acres.  Greens have been managed accordingly with hand watering.  We will continue to apply additional water when time and resources allow.  If we do not see a measurable and beneficial rain in the near future we will assess our mowing requirements to ensure we are not losing grass through this stretch. 

With the dry conditions we are also beginning to experience many irrigation breaks and challenges. We have a hole open on the 10th fairway that will be repaired as soon as parts are available this week.  This is the third break in the past week which impacts our ability to water and at times provide the conditions expected. As the ground tightens from a lack of rain we see the tension of the ground impact the piping creating some of these breaks.

This past Monday on maintenance day the Turfcare team applied a granular fertilizer application to greens followed by a heavy water.  The root systems of each green were bone dry and in need of a good soak.  This will have softened greens up and slowed them down temporarily.  With the forecast we would expect to be watering by hand again within a day or two.  This application was required to feed the greens for summer.  It is usually completed with aeration but both aerations were a loss so we are chasing some items to keep greens healthy and playable.  We also took advantage of the maintenance day to vent greens and provide them air.  This practices assists with greens conditions throughout the summer by allow water to penetrate the root zone.

The 5th green continues to establish.  This week we applied another granular fertilizer.  We also have switched from a smooth less aggressive mowing roller to an aggressive roller which will aid in getting the surface ready for golf.  If the weather continues as is and we continue to see the establishment advance we should see this green back online at some point in the month of July.  We appreciate the continued patience while we ensure the long term success of this green.

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS

Course Update – June 24

Jul 3, 2025

This past weekend the property received ¼ inch rainfall.  While this rainfall was better than no rain we most certainly can use additional moisture to assist with property and drought stresses.  The 5th green continues to progress.  This week we will be applying a heavier topdress to support the plants followed by some additional fertility applications.  We have lowered the height of cut to .150” which is generally where our greens open from a height of cut stand point in spring.  Over the next few weeks rolling frequency will increase on the 5th green, we will lower height of cut again and make the switch to an aggressive front roller.  Rooting on this green is excellent already sitting in the 5 to 6 inch range.

Demands on the property continue to ramp up with the prime play season upon us.  We continue to cut and roll greens daily. Hand watering has been priority on greens and throughout other areas to manage the heat and drought conditions.

Thursday continues to be an excellent day for additional course care.  With the gap in the tee sheet to accommodate the afternoon league we have been able to capitalize on agronomic practices in the allotted window of time.  Light topdressing, additional greens mowing, bunker raking and other items are getting completed in the gap which in return benefit all members especially as we are heading into a weekend following this gap.

Course etiquette continues to be less than acceptable.  Bunkers continue to be played in without being raked.  The bunker investment this past fall and spring was just shy of a $300,000 dollar investment.  The Turfcare team does not have the resources to rake bunkers on a daily basis.  It is expected of you the member whether you play in the morning first thing or late at night to rake your bunker.  If you happen to come across a bunker that someone did not rake and you play in it I would be willing to bet it would take all of 1 extra minute to rake what someone else forgot.  This attitude and effort by all will assist in ensuring a positive experience for all members and guests.

Respectfully,

Shawn Major

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