Shawn Major

Course Update

The Turfcare team had a successful start to the aeration program on Sunday evening September 15^th.  We were able to complete removing some material from the 10 greens on course that required it.  Unfortunately the rest of the aeration program was impacted beginning on Monday September 16^th with rain events.  We were able to apply sand to greens then the rain started.  This unfortunately prevented us from completing the aeration program and also prevented us from working sand into the canopy. This week while we deal with the results from the poor weather greens will be inconsistent.  We still need to achieve some turf health check marks as a part of the aeration program to set the stage for winter.  This Monday September 23^rd the course will remain closed for the day while we work to complete the fertility and aeration practices.

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS

Course Update- September 11

This Sunday September 15^th at 2:00 pm aeration will begin.  We will begin with the putting green and then head out on the course at 2:30 pm following the last group of tee times.  On Sunday we will core the greens on course that require it.  Monday all greens will receive a heavy sand followed by a vent and some fertility.  At the same time we will also begin fairway and tee aeration for the fall.  We were not able to complete aeration of fairways in spring with conditions from winter.  With new shallow rooted poa we expect we could see some setback of turf through this necessary process.  The fairway and tee aeration program will continue daily until complete. 

Course Update

Managing wear on our par 3 tee boxes is difficult.  We are seeing a packed tee sheet daily which results in more divots than our undersized par 3 tee’s can handle.  In an effort to manage this wear, tee locations will continue to be set on different decks when required to aid in attempting to maintain the best stand of grass possible for fall and begin to recuperate turf for next spring.  Please continue to fill the divots smooth with green sand and thank you for your understanding with this necessary setup detail.

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS

Course Update

With the end of August upon us we are beginning to see many of our summer team members exit for school.  We would like to thank these students for their time this summer and choosing Niakwa as their employer of choice for the 2024 summer season.  With the reduction in staff the remaining Turfcare team members will prioritize greens first on a daily basis and we will work our way out from there.  Mowing frequencies will be reduced and detail management will become difficult to maintain.  Our focus will remain on providing the best possible golf course each day for members to enjoy with the resources we have available. 

As we prepare for club championship this weekend we would like to wish all members competing best of luck and play well.  We are hopeful that we can firm up surfaces and provide a good test of golf for all competing in this annual historic club event.

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS

Course Update

This past Monday August 12^th the Turfcare team took advantage of the maintenance morning to relieve some compaction and stress from greens.  Over the past three weeks, while welcomed the lack of rain had greens compacted and we were dealing with lots of isolated stress spots.  This program will allow the greens to take water, get some much needed oxygen and reduce the compaction stress.  To start the week as a result of this the greens will roll slower and remain soft.  A couple days of repetitive mowing and we should see the greens firm up again.  Next Monday we are hopeful to complete a light topdressing to smooth greens roll out. 

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS

Spray Posting

Please be aware that a liquid fertilizer and growth regulator application will take place to greens this morning August 6, 2024.

Thank you,

Course Update – August 1

A stretch of extreme heat has been great for the game of golf and course maintenance.  Over the past 12 days we have been relying on irrigation to keep the property in condition which is a welcomed change from the first couple months of the season.  With the heat stresses the Turfcare team has made a couple of product applications to protect and assist with plant health through this window of time.  We are happy with what this product is doing as we have seen minimal turf damage from this period of extended heat.

Greens ball roll continues to be a challenge.  With the humidity being high each day we are losing minimal water from the putting surfaces.  The plants continue to be succulent.  This past Monday we applied a light topdressing to aid in smoothing the greens out and hopefully aid with an increase in speed.  With the forecast to start August seeing a minor cooling trend we are hopeful we will be able to fine tune moisture levels which will also aid in increasing ball roll.

Spray Program

Please be aware that the Turfcare team will be making a fertilizer and growth regulator application to greens today Tuesday July 30, 2024.

Thank you,

Weekly Course Update

High humidity and moisture continue to create challenges as it relates to greens.  We are seeing lots of scalping of turf each morning with our greens mow.  This is due to moisture levels being locked in from the humidity creating soft greens conditions.  This scalping is magnified by the fact we have gone two consecutive Monday’s without the ability to lightly topdress.  The light sand plays a key role in supporting the plants when they are succulent and smoothing the surface to aid in preventing scalping. We are hopeful to see a break in humidity or get some cooperation from Mother Nature which will allow us to return to light sanding on the Monday ahead.  To note as well with respect to greens we will be backing off the 4^th greens maintenance practices this week. On Monday this week we vented this green to provide it with air and assist in drying out.  The stagnant air from lack of wind and the high humidity are the reasons for this green needing to be managed independently for the time being.  Even with the tree removal done to support this greens health we still have a challenging environment for this green through periods of difficult weather.  

This past week the Turfcare team was able to complete spray programs on the large acreage being fairways and tee boxes.  This application will aid us in managing heat stresses as we enter into a stretch of 30 plus degree temperatures for the next while.  We are hopeful this product will minimize traffic damage to the poa fairways during this period of high heat.

Respectfully,
Shawn Major, AGS

Weekly Course Update

Once again rain has been the story as it relates to weather, course care and the game of golf.  With the most recent rainfall this week we have surpassed 15 inches on the property since May 1^st.  Annual precipitation numbers over a year are generally in the 20 inch range.  Needless to say this rain will have us behind in mowing and other practices on course while we dry out. The last week of June provided enough relief that we were able to mow and maintain all aspects of the property for the first time this season.

Green speeds continue to be inconsistent day to day.  We have at no point this season had control of moisture with all the rain.  We are hopeful that we will have the opportunity to manage moisture levels soon and when we do we will see green speeds become more consistent and in line with the pace we expect. Moisture levels have a significant impact on green speeds.

Some general reminders as it relates to course care.  We are asking that all rickshaws remain off of tee boxes and collars while enjoying your round.  This will assist in managing wear on collars and remove the unsightly look of tires across tee boxes.
The naturalized area to the right of hole 10 is marked with white stakes that have solid green tops.  These stakes and this area are mandatory relief.  Please do not play your golf ball if it ends up in this area.  There is no penalty for relief and is considered an environmentally sensitive and protected area. 

As always please put forth your best effort with ball mark repair.  The relentless rains have had greens soft and vulnerable to larger ball marks.  If not repaired these ball marks become a great environment for poa to encroach which hurts the investment made by the club in these bentgrass greens.  Playing conditions also suffer with unrepaired ball marks.  

Please ensure you rake your bunkers once you have played in them.  We continue to find an unacceptable amount of bunkers not cared for each morning.  The turfcare team does not have the ability or resources to maintain the bunkers daily and your efforts with this basic and expected course care item can provide all members and guests a better golf experience.

This Monday July 8^th the tee sheet will be closed until 3pm.  This additional time is required to complete some key agronomy practices.  These practices will assist in setting the stage for the remainder of the summer on greens and assist in ensuring turf health.  We will look to topdress, vent and fertilize greens as well as complete spraying practices across all fairways and tees. These items have not taken place to the level required with all the weather challenges of the season to date. 

Respectfully,

Shawn Major, AGS