Children's clinic

If you have not seen the children in the clinics at the course, you are missing out. Jill is awesome with the kids and they have a great time with the activities she uses to make golf drills fun. Fall sessions are in the planning, so contact her at rjmccoy@pga.com for further details.
Turf

For all who walk!!

We have divot bottles for walkers. They are located at the corner of the golf shop in a green box labeled "divot mix."
Please return the bottles after use to the cart shed for refilling. please do not take the divot bottle home with you. return the bottle after your round so that we can supply everyone on the course with a divot tube.
We could use a little rain,
Turf

New golf shoes

Many of you may be aware, the new golf shoes have been designed with some serious aggressive spikes. Several clubs have banned certain brands of soft spikes due to the disruption of the putting green surface that results.
The photos below we're taken early in the day yesterday. Please note the marks made by the cleats an the dragging of the feet across the putting green. Please, if you have the newer variety of shoes, be aware of the damage that results from scuffing the turf, or the popular "spin out" when a close putt is missed.
Come out and enjoy the cool-down,
Turf

Greens that make me happy

Today is the second day of "president's cup," here at Briar Ridge. We hope the greens are rolling smooth and true. More important than speed, is the trueness and uniformity of the surface. The photo demonstrates a tool that I absolutely love....the prism.
The prism allows the ants view to the superintendent. The quality of cut and the true mowing height can be seen through looking down through the prism, which changes the vantage point to horizontal over the Turfgrass canopy.
The putting surface appears uniform in height, with a nice clean cut. I'm gonna hug my mechanic now.
Bravo Leon, bravo,
Turf

Fixing black layer, irritation, and the sand is here

We are venting the new side greens in attempts to prevent any damage from the black layer I discussed yesterday.
We had a irrigation head "stick" last night. It ran for a few hours, so 2 blue may be soft.
And the sand is here for volleyball!!!
Bump, set, spike!
Turf

Black layer

With temperatures climbing and the stress on the turf increasing, we become vigilant of potential turf problems. We didn't have to look too hard. The greens on the new side are beginning to show signs of black layer.
I could insert a whole bunch of soil science, discussing oxidation and reduction, metal sulfides, and anaerobic bacteria, but I won't.
The new nine uses a different water source and you may have smelled the sulphur in the well passing by white six. This poor water creates some challenges for us. With some fertilizer applications, judicious use of water, and aerification, we should see an improvement.
Looks like summer is here,
Turf

Disease outbreak!!

The perfect storm.
Conditions for the disease "dollar spot" were extremely high. Dr. Rick Latin of Purdue university says that the disease pressure for this pathogen was the greatest he has seen in fifteen years of collecting data. Combine that kind of pressure with high winds and rain (the type of weather that prevents fungicide applications), and some areas are going to get whacked!
The disease is purely cosmetic, curative applications have been made and the turf is growing out of the damage. The turf should be mostly recovered in a few days.
Discover a long term control for this pathogen and you win the lottery!
Briar fest tonight!
Turf

Green speed

We have received some question about green speeds here recently. our greens have been rolling from 10.5 to 11, which is a target that we attempt to hit for everyday play. The emphasis we place upon green quality is smooth and true. The putting greens are managed to be a healthy stand of turf all summer. we still have about 6 weeks of potential stress for these surfaces.
Several years ago 90% of the articles of golf course maintenance were written on green speed subject matter. This issue was so much at the forefront of discussions that Crystal Downs in Frankfort Michigan did their own study.
Since then, modern breeding techniques have yielded new varieties of putting green turf that can handle lower mowing heights. Many prestigious clubs and hosts of major tournaments have undergone renovations to these newer varieties and the race is back on!
We suddenly stopped discussing what low mowing heights and fertility regimes will do to the older varieties. (Myself included!)
When Poa / Penncross greens bite the dust, a team of researchers and other gurus to investigate. The conclusions? New diseases on turf! These new pathogens are found in almost all rotting and decaying tissue. This begs the question, did the pathogen cause turf decline, or our we simply finding these pathogens where they naturally occur? I know what I think.
Below is a link to the latest USGA green section article, and they have recycled the old message of why bentgrass greens seem slow in the summer. Did they listen to my comment at Medina?......I doubt it.
But here is a link to an old article that explains the "marathon" we run with these plants.
http://gsr.lib.msu.edu/2010s/2013/2013-06-28.pdf
Be careful, if the golf course industry "turf experts" get ahold of healthcare, we will be treating people for the newest scare..........maggots,
Turf


Sent from Erwin's phone, please excuse grammar and punctuation.

Happy Fourth of July!

It's a great weekend for golf and country club action!
One of the favorite things to do at the club it to practice golf. When practicing, we would encourage the proper technique on the range.
In the photos below, the proper position of the ball on the divot, is on the back side. Not only does this save on turf, it encourages proper ball striking. The photo also demonstrates the lines of divots with turf between. This is important as it creates a micro environment that promotes seed germination. These lines also make a narrower area for the grass to fill in from the sides. Imagine filling in from the sides the different areas shown in the photos.
The second photo is shown with the target to the right.
Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth!
Erwin