Spring is here and so is your new Golf Course Blog

What this Blog is going to supply is weekly updates about all things happening within the 490 acres that encompass Hermitage Country Club Golf Courses. Not only is it important to showcase what our employees are accomplishing on a day to day basis, it is equally important to try and explain why we are implementing certain practices. This is a wonderful first picture that shows long tenured John Gibson repairing a 6 inch main line on 5 Manakin last week. We will be addressing a number of irrigation issues this spring.

One of the first techniques we have adjusted on both Golf Courses is how the bunkers are raked. Bunkers on both courses have flashed up faces that present a challenge to golfers and provide aesthetic interest. The faces are now being left smooth and only the bottoms of the bunkers are raked. New, more aggressive rakes are being used to keep the bottoms "fluffy". The faces are smoothed with the back of a standard bunker rake. The smooth faces allow the ball to roll down to a flat lie. The compacted smooth faces also hold up much better to a heavy rainfall and allow the staff to work through the entire bunker raking process much more quickly. 

The smooth edges present much firmer and it does make it easier to exit the bunker. However, golfers should still be entering the bunkers on the low side. If you happen to make a mark in the smooth section of the bunker, simply flip the rake over and smooth it back out. There is no need to try and scratch or rake in the smooth section of the bunker. Feedback so far has been very good on how playability in the bunkers have improved.

The staffs on both courses have been working hard over the past week getting all the divots on the fairways and tees filled with sand. As the bermuda gets going we want it to fill the divot over smoothly. If you take a divot and it stays together, you can certainly replace it. If the divot explodes then go ahead and fill it to the top with sand. The objective is to leave a level surface for the player behind you. We will be working diligently to fill divots as well and encourage a consistent playing surface.

Our turfgrass consultant Steve McDonald was out last Sunday to tour around the property. We were able to discuss many different topics from amendments for the Manakin project to annual bluegrass weevil invasion to water management and cultural practices. Steve has long been a strong asset for golf courses and we are happy to have him on our team.

On Monday we dusted all the greens with a very light topdressing. The sand helps keep the surfaces dry and smooth while protecting the crown of the plant from extra stress from foot and mower traffic. The greens have been putting well and should do so for the event this weekend.

The water cooler houses received a fresh coat of stain this week. All of the cooler nozzles have been replaced. We sourced a new fill hose equipped with a water filter on it so that the water is a little more refreshing.

The fairways on the Manakin have been greening up thanks to a few applications of iron and nitrogen. Our goal is to provide great playing conditions up until the Manakin closes after Memorial Day. The rough on the Manakin will fill in as the weather continues to warm but we will not be applying much fertilizer there to help it. We are excited to experience another warm up this weekend and get things moving!