Weather is all over the place but we are moving along
The sand is in the chipping green bunkers and has been holding up beautifully against the recent rains. Even through heavy downpours the sand does not wash down the face and the water drains out perfectly. Feedback has been solid from people trying out the two different sands. It is relatively tough to tell a difference but overall the physical properties of the right (Manakin) bunker are a little better and ultimately this sand is more cost effective so that is the way we are leaning.
We have had some cold temperatures but we have also had plenty of nice days with way more golf play than should be normal for early winter. We wanted to relay a quick update on what to do with your divot. No matter the season it is important to replace your divot when possible. This is always the first resort. If the the divot explodes and you can't get a hand on it, then go for your sand bottle and fill it in. These voids that are only filled with sand will not recover until mid season. The divot however has a chance to recover pretty quickly in the spring and especially on the Sabot, where the bluegrass may root back in over the winter. Do not put sand on top of the divot, it is either or. Replace divot when possible, fill with sand it the divot is unrecoverable. The fairways, tees, (and rough!) thank you!
You will see a few new bluebird houses popping up through both courses in the native areas. These houses are providing shelter for bluebirds but they are also marking important irrigation control valves that would otherwise be grown over and lost.
The tree crew has been out this week moving through some pruning work. There are plenty of trees throughout the Sabot that need to be pruned up, thinned and elevated.
A few more paver curbs went in around the one and ten tee area this week. The pavers and some fresh sod will clean this area up nicely.
We continue to make improvements at our shop area. A new irrigation line was brought in from 17 Manakin to supply a new section of wash pad and also to feed our sprayer fill up area. Previously we only had a small 15 gpm fresh water line to fill up our 300 gallon sprayers. Now we will have close to 100 gallons per minute worth of water to get the sprayers out moving quickly.
Even though we have had some sunny afternoons and mild temperatures, the turf on the course, especially on the greens is enduring a wide variety of environmental impacts. At most we are putting the mowers on them once a week and then rolling them 2-3 times depending on the weather. We may see temperatures spike up every now and again but soil temperatures drive growth and soil temperatures are not coming up any time soon. We have to manage our wear properly and ensure that the bentgrass does not come under any undue injury through the winter. Each morning we take in to account what the weather is doing and decide how we will take the dew off the greens, either with a light brush, a mower or a roller. Please be confident that we are doing our best to always improve the health of our turf while at the same time providing the best playing conditions possible!