Education Time

Spending a few days in Sioux Falls at the GCSA of South Dakota annual meeting. 

Currently at a class about Biostimulants, taught by Keith Karnok from the University of Georgia. This afternoon the topic will be wetting agents. Time well spent!!!

Spring is near!!!

Tree cleanup

Today was nice spring day. We took advantage of the weather and cleaned up some of the willow trees on the course. The willows seem to grow upright and than slowly start to lean and fall over. The trees we cut today were leaning into playable areas. 

The above picture is on the east side of #1 fairway. 

Think spring!!!  The golf season is not far away!

Ross

North Central Turfgrass

Just spent the better part of a week at the NCTGA. It's a Turfgrass show if Fargo. It was a great show with variety of good topics and speakers. 

The highlight for me was listening to Dr Thom Nikoli. He is a turf professor from Michigan State University. He covered a variety of topics, and very easy to listen to. Two main concepts stuck in my mind; first is the simple ideas he had to maintain great turf and second was some of the ideas he had to help improve constomer service. 

Now back to the grind of getting ready for the golf season. 

Below is a picture from 17 tee. 

Any thoughts or ideas for the up and coming golf season please feel free to contact me. 

We will see you on the course soon!!

Ross

January Course Update

Well here we are into January.  This winter has been way different than last years straight forward old fashioned winter.  Every winter winter is different and that always brings questions as to how the course is surviving this winter.  First off we started the winter cold and snowy, second we had a nice warm up and melted the snow off, third we had rain in December and finally we are back to cold.  

So how is the course surviving?  I think we were doing great until we had that rain in December. That rain caused some surface water in a few areas, mainly a few small areas in a couple of fairways.  Below is a picture of #9 fairway showing some of the surface water/ice.  The grass can survive under the ice a period of time, how long exactly in unknown.  What the damage will be, if any damage at all, is unknown right now.  We will just have to wait and see when that surface water melts or dissipates into the ground. I am hoping for very minimal damage.  The rest of the course looks to be handling the winter very well, I look forward to some great spring golf. 

The days are getting longer.  It never hurts to start thing about spring!!!

Ross Santjer

Golf Course Superintendent

Thinning some trees

The nice winter weather has allowed the maintenance staff to get out and thin some tree areas. We started on the east side of #7 fairway, then proceeded to east of #11 green. 

We are basically just cutting the unhealthy non straight trees. This will accomplish two main goals. The first is to allow more sunlight and air flow to the turf areas. Second it will allow the good trees to grow better and more upright. 

If you have any questions or would like to see the tree work please feel free to contact me. 

Ross

The Season of Change!!

Things can change in a hurry, we went from golfing to cold and snow in a very short time. 

I am glad to report that the golf course was fully winterized before the weather changed. What will happen the rest of the winter is unknown, we have done our part to have green grass next spring. 

Thank you for another great golf season!!

If you have any comments please feel free to contact me. 

Ross

Top dressing

The weather next week looks to be turning cold. This week we winterized the irrigation and well systems. We also applied the fungicide/anti desiccant to the greens. Now it is time to apply a layer of sand on the greens. This layer helps protect our greens from our extreme winter weather conditions. The main goal right now is to have alive greens next spring. We will start today applying today and finish on Friday. 

The greens will still remain open for now. 

If you have my questions please contact me. 

Ross