We hope that you had the opportunity to play a round of golf this past weekend while we had some spring type weather. As we start the first full week of golf we are experiencing a weather setback with our greens currently under snow looking as if they are covered in tarps. As this week progresses we can expect tee sheet delays with the overnight temperatures forecasted to reach -5 degrees as late as Wednesday night. These temperatures can result in a frozen delay rather than a frost delay. This morning with -2 the greens are frozen solid in the top portion where the crown of the plant resides. We will at no point allow golf on frozen greens. We can expect if the temperatures do get as low as predicted to have significant delays while we wait for the ground conditions to thaw.
We began to start the irrigation system on Monday May 4th. This process takes most clubs about 3 hours to complete and become operational. We spent 11 hours with start up on Monday to come across two significant breaks that required us to shut down the system. With valves that do not function this was the only option to allow the repairs to take place. We are also experiencing electrical component issues that are preventing the system from being utilized once the system is pressurized. Parts have been ordered and are being shipped so we are hopeful that we have water at our disposal by the end of the week. Once we do have the ability to water we will be testing and running irrigation throughout the day and during your round of golf. This is not ideal but is the only option we have to test the 600 plus head on the property ahead of the season. The course is dry we have not had measurable moisture in some time and we need this system up and running as soon as possible. Until we are able to irrigate and have this tool available course maintenance from a turf stand point will continue to be minimal. With the weather variables and the irrigation challenges we are starting this year well behind where a typical season would be and this will impact members experience early this season.
Here is to hoping for more positive weather conditions as we continue into the month of May for the game of golf and course care.