The Valentine is here, Sabot aeration next week
The 55 degree temperatures came at a price this week as the thunderstorm on Monday night dropped a serious bolt of lightning behind 18 Manakin green. The jolt blew the timeclock off the wall, fried our phones and printers and took out some key components for the central control for our irrigation system. Our Rainbird rep has been rushing replacement radios and computers back in and we are for the most part back up and running.
The good part is the weather has been absolutely perfect this week. The six tenths of rain we got with the storm Monday evening is hanging around along with some cool temperatures. We may or may not have to start putting some water back out tomorrow and lightly into the weekend as temps come back up.
Both golf courses are in primetime condition and the crew is excited to once again have some overly talented golfers enjoying the fruits of their labor this weekend.
We really can not ask for anything more from the Pure Eclipse greens on the Sabot. Being able to provide these kind of putting speeds with only single cutting and rolling means that the greens stay exceptionally healthy and consistent. The older genetics on the Manakin are running about a foot slower and have a tougher time getting through the summer. The Pure Eclipse should put on a nice show this weekend!
Managing fertilizer inputs is a huge part of providing a fine texture leaf blade and great putting experience. We track clipping yield everyday from the greens mowers and then plug it into an application that takes into account our soil test results and the next 7 days of weather. We adjust on a weekly basis in order to keep yields low but plant health high.
The new recirculation pump is back up and running on 5 Sabot. We are seeing a little better flow with the new setup.
Mario and Fortino got the Sabot heads edged out early in the week. They put their own heads together and came up with this setup to edge the head and then blow the debris off with an electric blower. The blower is tied to the harness and just hangs while edging the head. Perfectly efficient!
Good luck to our 22 members in the field this weekend! Remember, the Sabot will be closed for three days starting on Monday in order to aerate the greens and verticut and topdress the fairways. The greens will receive 1/4" coring tines and will be topdressed afterwards. Sticking to these cultural practices is why we are able to provide outstanding conditions all through the season!