Removing trees to help with cart traffic on #7 Overlook

This week we started to remove some trees on #7 Overlook to help with our cart traffic problem.  When playing #7 Overlook, after finishing the hole, carts returning to the path are funneled into two different areas by trees.  We are in the process of removing some of these trees so that we can help spread out the traffic.  After the trees are removed and the stumps eliminated, we will sod the entire area with grass.  With more sunlight and less concentrated traffic, we should see a much improved area!  Here is a picture of what the area looked like before we started yesterday.

Painting the Driving Range

Each year after the grass goes brown and dormant for the season, our staff paints the target greens and fairway on the driving range.  The paint helps to give some definition to the driving range and allow the golfer to see where the ball lands.  Though it does not last forever, the paint looks good after it is all completed.  We hope this helps you improve as you are using the Range!

Drying Out

Though it has been a week since the last rain drop fell at MCC ,(I know, shocking) we are still experiencing some very we areas around the course.  So wet actually, that even pull carts are leaving marks in the turf!

This is the end of #3 fairway.  The majority of the golf hole is drying out well, but some low areas continue to be very soft.  We have been forced to remain Cart Path Only for the entire week, because of areas like this.  If we are seeing damage from pull carts, we can not handle the potential damage from a golf cart.

The good thing is we will be able to fix this easily once the conditions allow by rolling and mowing the area!

Pressure Washing around the Course

The wet weather over the last few weeks has our crew resorting to different daily tasks than normal to keep from damaging any turf.  One beneficial thing we have started is to pressure wash all the bridges and walkways around the golf course.  Over time moss, algae, dirt, and grime all build up on the surface of the wooden bridge, causing the bridge to not only be unsightly, but slick!  We will work to clean off all the bridges over the next few weeks to improve not only the looks, but the safety to our membership!  Below are a few pictures to show how much improvement we have seen from the cleaning!

Pretty easy to see the difference!  

Left side has been cleaned, right side in the works!!

Record Rainfall

Rain, Rain, Go Away!  While 2018 turned out to be the second wettest year since 1948 in Atlanta with 70.03 inches falling at Hartsfield Jackson Airport,  Marietta Country Club totaled 61.3 inches for the year!  This marks the wettest year since 2009, when 69.3 inches were recorded. The year ended with a total of 8 inches in November and 9.25 inches in December, which has really slowed down the golf and tennis activity around the Club.  However, the rain is moving out and a week of sunshine is forecast for the foreseeable future! 

Tough to hit a shot in the middle of #9 Fairway with these conditions

                                                            Water Standing in 10 Fairway

The waterfall behind 12 green always looks great after a heavy rain!!

Fall Greens Aerification

The Fall Greens Aerification is Tuesday, September 4th.  This will be the large holes and heavy sand.  Typically this process takes 3 to 4 weeks to fully recover.  We know this is a very unpopular time for the avid golfer, but it is very important for the roots and overall health of the putting greens!!

Fall Armyworms!!!!

Over the last week we have noticed a large hatch of Armyworms!!!  How do we know we have an outbreak of Armyworms?   Because they are eating the grass!  Take a look at the picture below and you can see where the left side of the grass is brown, while the other half is green.

The brown grass on the left is infected with Armyworms, and they are literally "marching" their way across the green grass by eating all the green stuff they can see!!  This picture is of #7 Overlook, but we discovered Armyworms all across both golf courses. 

Take a look at the next picture to see how we identify where the worms are:

A "soapy flush" is used to push all the worms and insects to the top of the turf canopy.  Once we see signs in the turf that we may have an insect problem, we will do soapy flushes across the golf course to identify what areas we need to treat.  

If you look closely in the picture you can see 5 or 6 Armyworms.  This is what we look for after a soapy flush.  Once we saw all the worms in one small area, we confirmed we had a problem.  The good news is a light insecticide application will kill them on contact, and the grass will make a full recovery in a few weeks!  If you see your yard at home looking unusually brown or lacking color, do a soapy flush and see if you have Armyworms!!!