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Post Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 |
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Hello to everyone at
LRCC. It has been a few months since my last article and I want to bring you
up-to-speed. This summer has been a struggle (to say the least) as we encountered
just about everything Mother Nature could throw at us in a 3-month span…even an
earthquake! We have all felt the effects
of COVID, even the golf course. Since
outdoor activity is encouraged, average of daily golf rounds have increased, in
turn creating more work and stress on the course.
AERIFICATION: Fall aerification is now complete and was
successful. Our greens are now in “recoup
mode” and should start to show subtle signs of “green up” over the next 2
weeks. We are heading into the grow season for Bentgrass with the onset of
cooler temperatures, so the greens should rebound from the coring process and
heal nicely. Extra amendments were applied
to firm the playing surface and provide much needed stress relief to the
greens. The soil and root structure of
our greens is terrific. Moisture content is consistent with USGA specs along
with microbial activity and Ph levels. Crews verticut the greens before we cored them
this year to help alleviate some thatch build up. This will help water to percolate down
through the soil even better. With a
firm and less thatchy organic level, the greens should produce an even surface
that will be noticeably quicker. So for anyone that likes a little speed to
your ball roll, hang tight…it's coming! Over the next couple of weeks, a light coat of
topdress will be applied to keep the surface as tight as possible.
PAVING: I am happy to announce that the new cart path
is complete and paved on holes #12/14. A
new women’s tee has been established on hole #12 and we are working to achieve
optimum tee height. By October, the new
tee should be open for play. New landscaping is slated to beautify the area
soon.
HOLE #7: This hole is still
having drainage issues that crews are going to tackle during the off season.
There will be times during very wet weather that hole #7 will play as a par 3
until it dries.
RECORD RAINFALL: We have been more wet than hot this season.
Rainfall has been a rollercoaster, sometimes giving us as much as 3 to 4 inches
at once. June, July and August were mild, but the weather has not been
consistent all summer. Due to the weather, we have fought a host of diseases
this year. From Dollar Spot and Anthracnose, to Pythium Blight and Brown Ring
Patch, it seems the sprayer has not stopped for 3 months. At this time, we are
still fighting heat wilt and Dollar Spot in the fairways. With cooler
temperatures coming soon, the disease pressure will hopefully subside. More rain is in the forecast this week with the
arrival of tropical system Sally. Golfers will be required to follow CART PATH
ONLY rules for a couple days as this system passes through. When the cooler
temperatures arrive, regrowth will begin on some bare spots that suffered heat
damage.
I hope everyone remains
safe going into a fantastic fall season in the mountains. Thanks to everyone
for your continued support and encouragement.
Steve Akers, Golf Course
Superintendent |
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