Summer is here! Joe Wagner awarded Dominion Club Superintendent position!

 

Congratulations are in order for Joe Wagner as he has accepted the Golf Course Superintendent position at nearby Dominion Club. Joe has been the backbone of our operation over the past 5 years, first coming on as Sabot superintendent and then now finishing his Hermitage career on the Manakin. His diligence, communication and agronomic skills will now be transferred down the road and put to excellent use at his own property. His understudy, Grant Lowery will step in the Manakin GC Superintendent role. Grant has been taking on more and more responsibility over the past year so this timing will be perfect for his career progression. We are happy to continue graduating managers in house. Just as Ben Longest moved up to Sabot superintendent two years ago we are excited for Grant to do the same all the while finding new levels of excellence along the way. Please wish Joe a farewell as you see him over the next two weeks!

The temperatures are starting to heat up although the humidity has been far from oppressive. We are seeing evapotranspiration rates around .2" per day which is about as high as it gets for Richmond. In these days of 15 hours of sunlight that means the bermudagrass is finally happy and the cool season turf needs special attention with the hose in the afternoons. The flex head mowers and smooth rollers are back on the greens although we still have mowing heights down in order to maintain decent putting quality. No rain and 100 degrees is in sight right now but we will get some relief at some point, just not soon!

Last year we started injecting wetting agent into the irrigation outflow pipe as it traveled out to the courses. We have cranked our little injection pump up again and the difference it makes in allowing localized dry spots to take up water is significant. While we still have to hand water areas like greens, drains and sand based tees, overall our irrigation system takes the brunt of the water management responsibilities.

All 20 fans are up and working to keep our bentgrass cool. We have blocked out pin locations that are close to the fans and will continue monitoring those spots. Most of the fans are locked out but if you find one that isn't and have a million dollar putt or chip that you need the fan off for, please remember to turn it back on when you leave the green.

The heads are flying and Boomer is hating life after 9am, summer is here!