First estimate was poor...........

Looking at noon, possibly closed all day.  More detail to follow.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Ugggghhhhh

Rain is pounding the region this morning.  We were already dealing with saturated soils and yesterday was the first day off the path.  The rain is supposed to end around 7:45 and we will be closed for approximently one hour after this rain to allow putting surfaces to drain.  These times are approximate at this time because, due to the lightning, we are not able to get on the course to check conditions.  Based on past experience, a 9:00 start time would be my best guess right now.  We will be cart paths only when we open, with a good chance that will continue into Sunday, as the forecast has very little wind with slightly humid conditions.
Check back for further updates,
Turf.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Briar Ridge to add nine holes

It is that time of year again, the clubhouse bentgrass is being transformed into nine holes of mini-golf.  It is very difficult to allow last years course be the best ever.  So, we will try to make the course even better this year.  The weather for this weekend looks good, hope to see you at Briarfest.
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Presidents cup 1st day

Rains hit around four this morning and it came down hard at times.  There is standing water on all major playing surfaces, bunkers, and cart paths.  We will be delayed in our mowing, but hopefully we will not affect the starting time.  At this time the rains have almost quit, but thunder rumbles in the west.  We will try to move as much water as we can, and make bunkers playable.  Worst case for carts would be rough and path only, one crossover in fairways at the green stakes.
See you soon,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Trees and turf

It's not that I dislike trees, on the contrary, I love them.  I just don't like them interfering with my turf.  This picture demonstrates what a good root pruning job can do.  This spring, a trench was dug along the tree line, can you guess what side of the photo the trees are on?  This fall, we will be back at our old practice of pruning roots along fairways and greens.  The biggest challenge we face with roots in a green is on 8 red, as the trees in the ditch steal water and nutrients from the putting surface.  The photo is from 8 red, to the right of the beginning of the fairway, check it out.
I would love some clouds,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Sclerotinia gone wild

The current weather pattern continues to promote fungal activity.  The research that is being conducted on three red fairway in conjunction with Dr. Settle of the CDGA is showing more pathogenic activity than any of the other sites included in the trials.  We are seeing some really cool things and have even begun some experimental treatments based on our observations.  Science is happening right here at Briar!  Be sure to take a moment and see it for yourself.
Have a fungus free day,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Fairways that look like this.........

Have a tendency to grow stuff like this, pythium fungus.  Warm nights have produced long durations of leaf wetness and.......whammo, pythium and brown patch.  We found these little monsters on seven red, the tight trees create an environment with poor air flow, and turf that is comprimised since it is competing with trees for light and water.  Heavy rains would not have been good.  We will be restricting cart traffic to the path for a few days to allow the turf to recover.  
See you on the path,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Ahhhh, summer

This photo is of some type of chemical injury to 4 white green.  The definite borders to this type of injury immediately indicate some type of spill or other application.  This spot does not smell of gas or oil, and grass is coming back in the centers which tell us that whatever was here provided only temporary toxicity.  My guess would be single malt scotch or some other adult beverage.
Cheers,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Reading dew patterns

High heat and stress continue for our turf here at Briar.  It does not appear that we will get any relief until August.  Cart traffic will continue to stress the turf, but you can help minimize the damage done by carts.  By driving 90 degrees out to your ball, and then back to the path we can reduce cart traffic by as much as 75 percent.  Many people drive right down the middle of the fairway to their next shot, or to their partners ball.  Even though this is very convenient, it does not promote quality playing conditions.  I like the exercise portion of golf, I will often take a few clubs and leave the cart somewhere in between my ball and my partners, thus allieviating some stress and getting some exercise.  
In the photo above, the dew patterns tell a traffic abuse tale.  Lack of dew in areas is a sign of stress, in the photo we can see that many players continue around this corner instead of going to the path.  It is not uncommon for us to go cart path only in extreame heat, especially on certain holes.  Please help us to continue to reduce cart restrictions by being mindful of the stress that carts produce.  Please pass this information along to your playing partners who may not be so tech savvy.  
Together we can continue to enjoy some quality golf conditions.
Hot and sweaty,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Insect repellant kills turf

The mosquitos are out in force, please remember to apply repellants on the path or in a cart.  We are seeing many areas where turf has been damaged.  The heat looks like it is back.  Enjoy what is left of this weekend,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Home stretch

We are entering the home stretch of the golf season.  The stress on the turf in the next four weeks will be at it's peak.  In addition, most of our events are concentrated to this time.  The drop in the humidity is a blessing.  Hopefully we can continue on our current management strategies and the turf will respond well.  We will be careful not to push the putting greens too much, and hopefully we can leave the cutting heights right where they are.
In the photo is a ball mark made by Jan Sutorius as she tried to make a hole in one for me (she repaired it quite well also).  Great shot Jan!
Tee it high,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Bunker contamination

Thought I would take a break from the heat and share a photo that I took in the right greenside bunker of 4 blue.  This photo demonstrates the contaminated top layer of sand. Most players complain that there is no sand in the bunkers when in fact there is plenty of sand.....it has been buried from years of the surrounding edges eroding.  We are doing a temporary fix in this bunker by skimming off the contamination, and adding some new sand.
I need some clouds,
Turf

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Happy Independence Day

I want to wish everyone a safe Holiday. We are starting to dry out and showing signs of severe turf stress in traffic areas. The wet conditions we experienced earlier allowed for the soils to become compacted and now the turf in those areas are struggling to get the water they need from the soil. Please pay special attention while driving a cart to avoid stressed areas, while we try to rope off these areas, cooperation from the members is best. Below is an old photo showing turf wilting in traffic areas.


Have a great Holiday,

Turf