Working on the Haul Road!

If you have played golf lately, you have probably noticed the thin areas on the left side of #8 fairway.  This area is where the "haul road" was located during the dredging project 2 years ago.  We have had problems with this area last summer as well, and roped the area off and mowed it longer to help the grass survive.  After going into the winter very healthy, this turf has not come back as quickly as we expected this spring.  To try and encourage it to grow and fill in, we took out the aerifier to try and poke holes and relieve some compaction.  Take a look at the picture to see the machine in action.

It is hard to describe how hard this dirt is where the haul road used to be!  This plugging should relieve some compaction and encourage growth!  After we finished and cleaned up the area we added a heavy dose of fertilizer to kick the grass into gear and start growing!

Telling signs of a tough winter

     While last winter was not nearly as cold as some we have had in the past, it was extremely wet.  It is hard to remember now that it is warm and has not rained much, but we struggled this winter to dry out.  Between the week of Thanksgiving 2015 through February 1st, 2016, we received a total of 26 inches of rain on the golf course.  This rain not only kept all the golf carts on the path more than usual, but also kept the low areas in the fairways wet for an extended period of time.  Now that the bermudagrass is greening up and starting to fill in, we are seeing some spots that were damaged from simply too much water.  Take a look at the pictures below and I hope it will help illustrate what I mean:

Here is a picture of #7 Fairway.  Notice the brown areas in the foreground, and the greener hills behind.  The thin, brown areas in the fairways in this picture is where all the water runs off when it rains.  These flatter, lower lying areas in turn stay wet longer, depriving the plant of much needed oxygen.  Notice that the hills and undulations in the background are much more green.  This is because during times of wet conditions or heavy rains, the water can easily run off and the hill will dry out much quicker.

Here is another view of #7 fairway, and you can see this same flat area where the grass is slow to green up.  There are quite a few fairways around the golf course showing this damage in the low lying areas.  Do not be alarmed as this will all grow in and be fine once we get warmer temperatures as we get closer to summer.  It is just another reminder that while the grass may be brown and appear "dead" all winter, it is still actively growing.  Just at a much slower pace.  Please bear with us as we encourage the fairways to grow in this spring from the wet winter damage!

Azaleas Looking Great on #17!

This spring it has warmed up quickly, except for this Masters weekend, and the azaleas are in full bloom and beautiful!  One place that is very notable is the area in front of #17 tee box.  As most of you know, the first time we renovated this area in fall 2014, we had a cold snap soon after we planted 200 new azaleas.  After almost the entire crop of azaleas died from the harsh winter, we were forced to re-think our options to ensure this would not happen again.  By choosing a different variety of azaleas to plant last fall, we were able to survive the winter and finally see some blooms this spring!  The picture does not due it justice for all the colors on display.  In a few years we will have quite the display for each Masters week!

I want to note this azalea project was done with the help of a donation from the LGA!!  Thank You!!!