The heat has finally decided to show up. The poa annua on the Sabot fairways is literally smoking in the afternoons and the bermuda is starting to wake up. Notice the distance between these front two sprinkler heads. Our new system will have heads about half that distance apart, allowing for much better coverage and control of our water. Now notice how the back of this first sprinkler is clogged up compared to the others. It is a completely different head also. All this adds up to poor coverage, wasted water and subpar conditions. All things our new system this winter will address and improve.
The Manakin fairways are ready for summer!
Warmer, dry weather equals root growth for cool and warm season grasses. Check out this root shooting down about 8 inches through a deep tine hole from 3 green Manakin. This plug had roots gripping deep in to the sand profile. While a few aeration holes are still visible on the Manakin rest assured we are encouraging the plant to establish its root system for the summer, not just hitting it with nitrogen for top growth. Excess nitrogen right now burns up valuable carbohydrates that can be better used for summer prep. If you want to look really hard at this picture, look at the texture of the bentgrass on the left, compared to the right side. After 20 years even the Manakin greens are developing different textures. The new bentgrass on the Sabot will be very similar to the texture on the right.
The dry weather allowed the paving company to come out lay down the new path for the tees on 18 Sabot lakeside. Installing a new path is a big deal, between the excavation, stone base, paving and then the edge repair.
We will go ahead and put the new tees in play for Senior Member Guest this weekend. Next week we'll continue to patch up the edge of the path and keep growing this new area in. These tees will be optioned in for certain events and possibly a day or two throughout the week.
Blue: 350 (180 carry)
White: 315 (150 carry)
Silver: 280 (120 carry)
If you are keeping up with our cultural practice schedule, you'll know that on Monday and Tuesday next week we will poke solid tine holes in all the short grass on the Manakin. We are modifying a bit and will not be spreading compost on the short grass, but just select areas in the rough. After this aeration both courses will be set up and ready for their summer pre-emergent weed control and also be ready to take up water much more efficiently for the summer. Impact to play really should be minimal with these solid tine holes. With the upcoming temperatures we should finally be off and running with the growing season!
