Beginning this Sunday at 3:30pm the Turfcare team will begin the spring aeration programs on greens and tees. We will begin on the putting green at 3:30 and work our way on to the front nine of the golf course followed by the back. This program will be similar to the aeration programs of the past 5 years as our greens continue to be in good health and have come through a difficult winter in great condition. Spring items continue on course as we push towards the prime playing months of the season beginning in early June.
- Fairways are beginning to show some improvement. We have over seeded the fairways, applied two liquid fertility applications to aid in recovery. We will continue to protect the turf that is trying to establish and protect the canopy for which it grows in scenarios of wet weather. This will be critical to promoting new growth and the sooner we can get through the recovery we can resume with normal cart operations. While at times it may seem as if the property can handle traffic as there is minimal standing water it is critical that in these soft scenarios we do not place an abundance of wear on the fairways. Please be aware of your travel while using a cart and do your best to avoid travel through the damaged areas.
- In this photo you can see the displacement of turf and the canopy. This will cause damage that will not promote recovery. This is why the decision to restrict carts has been made a couple of times this season to date.
- In this photo you can see the displacement of turf and the canopy. This will cause damage that will not promote recovery. This is why the decision to restrict carts has been made a couple of times this season to date.
- With the conditions of fairways and approaches our mowing frequency on these areas will stay minimal. Just as we are protecting the turf from cart use we are doing the same from a maintenance equipment standpoint. If we receive rain events we can expect that no mowing will take place on large acres until conditions are proper. At times areas will look shaggy and in need of a mow due to this.
- Granular fertilizer will be applied to all fairways and rough over the aeration window. This fertilizer will take about 7 days to kick in at which time we hope to see another push towards recovery.
- Rough has begun to pop and there will be big demand on mowing this grass moving forward. We will work to keep rough detailed and playable each week as we get through the spring growth flush.
- We continue to battle wet conditions as it relates to a few bunkers on the property. We will continue to pump and attempt to prep these when conditions allow.
- Cart paths are in rough condition with the repetitive wet days we have had the last couple weeks. We will work to smooth them out when time and conditions allow.
- Greens will begin to see daily mowing requirements moving forward. We are starting to see flushes of growth. Once aeration is complete we will begin to lower heights for summer putting conditions.
- Range deck will move to turf beginning this Saturday May 11th. Please remember to use linear lines while practicing and avoid taking divots in large patch formations to aid in recovery of these areas from week to week.
- Stumps have been ground and prepared for sodding. Sodding will take place as soon as we can get delivery.
- On Monday June 3rd the Audubon program is having a Bio-Blitz day. Posters will be in the clubhouse area with information. This is an opportunity for members to come out and test their knowledge of animal and plant species as we seek to identify as many as possible that morning. If you are interested please sign up!
- Weeds are beginning to pop on the property. We will do what we can to control these when conditions allow. We have been challenged this spring with relentless windy days that are preventing many spray programs from taking place and will prioritize turf health and recovery over weeds.
Course etiquette to begin the golf season has been below standard for Niakwa. We are finding many unraked bunkers, unrepaired ball marks and neglect with traffic control on course. These items all take away from the member experience. It is your responsibility as a member to practice basic and proper course etiquette. Encourage your peers to do so and this will go a long way to assisting the Turfcare team in providing you the member with a great experience.
Respectfully submitted,
Shawn Major, AGS