January Brings in Spring Like Weather

As we welcomed 2026, we were also treated to some beautiful temperatures to start the year. We came just 6 degrees shy of breaking the 75-degree record high for this time of year. I think we were all grateful for a stretch of nice weather to kick off the new year on a fantastic note. The warmer conditions also gave us the opportunity to get back out on the courses and complete some regular maintenance throughout the week. 

With the weather on our side, we were able to get a pre-emergent herbicide application around the putting surfaces. This marks the first of seven planned pre-emergent applications on the bermuda turf surrounding the greens. Around the bentgrass putting surfaces, we apply a product that is safer for bentgrass to avoid any potential injury. This also requires applying the product at a lower rate compared to the rest of the shortgrass areas on the courses. While we plan for seven applications around the greens, we will only be applying three applications, using a different product and rate, across the remaining shortgrass areas of the courses.

With the sprayer already out and warmed up, we also took the opportunity to spray a few acres of a post-emergent herbicide. This selective product targets poa annua that has already germinated, or was in the process of germinating prior to our pre-emergent application in November to help control this notorious winter annual. For effective uptake, the selective post-emergent herbicide must be applied when temperatures are above 55 degrees, making this stretch of warm weather ideal for the application. We will cleanup any poa around the greens next month. 

          

The Sabot team was able to make a trip to Charles City to pick up a pallet of fescue sod and lay it around the culvert pipe on #16 Sabot. This area was repaired prior to Thanksgiving, and we were just waiting for a break in the weather to get everything sodded and patched up. Having the other side of the creek accessible again for not only members, but also our staff is welcoming change. 

We have been making our way around the property trimming back the ornamental grasses, most of which are over on the Sabot course. Here on #11 tee, you can see how much better they look after being pruned and cleaned up.

Over on the Manakin course, Wil and Roberto began marking pipe, power, and irrigation-wire lines in preparation for the installation of our new fans. Anything below the surface is marked to avoid damage when we plow in the new wire for the fans. We hope to begin putting wire in on 9 and 18 next week if the wire arrives on time. On #11 Manakin, several cedar trees were directly in the path of the planned wire run. One tree needed to be limbed up to provide room for the tractor, and while we were at it, we gave the remaining trees a haircut as well. While we typically avoid adding pine beds, we opted to use pine straw in this area as a temporary solution for the winter. The area will be sodded or seeded this coming spring.

Once again, taking advantage of the favorable weather, we dusted off the verti-drains and put them to work on the greens. Deep tining helps relieve soil compaction, improves drainage, and encourages deeper root growth. All while causing minimal disruption to play. It’s a no-brainer to try and accomplish this each winter, and we plan to get the verti-drains back out again during our spring aeration.

We went with a 7–8 inch depth using a ½-inch tine and 4-inch spacing. After a quick roll, the greens should be playing as normal, while providing unmatched agronomic benefits beneath the surface.

Along the clubhouse and throughout the campus, we continue to freshen up the mulch beds by removing leaves and debris and applying new mulch. Once all mulch areas are complete, be on the lookout for us to begin the woodchip beds around the parking lots.

For 2025, the Board of Directors approved keeping only 18 holes open Tuesday through Thursday in January if the forecasted temperature is below 60 degrees. For 2026, we will be following the same plan as last winter. This approach allows one course to rest and recover better, while also giving our staff the ability to focus on larger projects, such as tree work, drainage improvements, and the Manakin fans. We couldn’t be happier as we move into the new year and are excited for another successful year here at Hermitage Country Club. Have a good weekend!