Snow - When will Spring show up

Here we are in the Middle of March.  Yes Mother Nature has not been very kind to us.  This Is South Dakota the days are getting longer and things can change quickly.  I guess the main thing is we are waiting to see what the Spring brings, and being prepared for anything.  I am hoping that golf season will happen sooner than later.   

Last week Kenny, Matt and myself attended the SD Golf Course Superintendent's Association Conference and show in Sioux Falls. There were over 150 total attendees there.  It was a great three days with the main focus is on education, trade show and net working. At the show Kenny received Equipment Technician of the Year, a well deserved award for the many years in the Golf industry and job he preforms. 

Before you know it we will be out on the course again, in the meantime come out and enjoy some Sim golf. 

Think Spring!!

Ross

Ready for spring!!

Yes the last four weeks have been rather brutal.  Snow, wind and colder than normal temperatures have us hoping for a early spring.  The Golf Course's snow removal equipment is getting a good workout this winter season.  The golf course turf remains in great shape, there has been a good snow cover with little or no ice forming under all the snow. 

With the weather as such, we have been busy getting ready for the golf season in the maintenance facility.  One of our many tasks this year is replacing some hydraulic seals on our aging mower fleet.  The mower shown below is our verti cut unit, this model is 13 years old.  We have seen a few issues with this style of power unit start to drip hydraulic fluid out of a valve bank under the main console.  As you can see below replacing the seals in the middle of the all those pipes and fittings is not such a fun project, just ask Matt and Kenny!  On this particular unit we had to replace only 8 seals, one other just like it we replaced 12.  It definitely takes time and patience get the seals out and the new ones installed.  We will test the machine upon reassembly, the true test always is once the machine is out and running under full load for 2-3 hours. 

If you ever want to see what is happening at the Maintenance Facility please stop by, the coffee is always on. 

Think Spring!

Ross
 

Wecome to 2019

2019 is actually starting off with some snow cover, not everything is covered but will take what we have for now.  Through all this the temperatures have remained normal like, that is good with me.  Below is a typical picture of a tee area, the exposed  and covered turf all look to be in great shape.  This is common with all turf areas right now.  What will the rest of the winter bring? 

With the recent blizzards it has made it difficult to get on the course, there are many drifted in areas.  With that most days are now spent working in the shop, preparing equipment and accessories for the new season.  There are countless hours getting  the equipment sharpened and serviced ready for another season of golf. 

Next week Matt, Kenny and myself will be attending the Northern Green Expo in Minneapolis.  This event is held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  It is a joint meeting of Golf Courses, Landscapers and Nurseries.  There is three days of education, trade show and networking.  There will many great education and equipment learning opportunities. 

 Have you tried out the New Simulators and Pub Grub??

Come out and enjoy.

Ross

Happy Holidays

Not much for snow so far this year, temps have now warmed to above average.  The Golf Course is in good shape and ready for the winter season, if it ever shows up.  If you decide to come out and hit the ball around please use the temporary hole locations on the front nine.  We would also like you to make sure the temperatures are above freezing, much damage can be done walking on frozen or frosted turf plants.  ENJOY! 

With the good weather we were able to remove the bunker behind #17 green.  The area has been rough graded.  Next spring we will have to finish grade and seed.  This will be a much needed improvement to this area, allowing us to maintain and grow some good grass.  The extra dirt from that project was hauled to fill in the driving range bunkers.  This area also is only rough graded, next spring will will finish grade and seed.  The plan is to also add some white agri material to give the same visual effect as a bunker, while allowing us to maintain and pick the balls. 

When not working in the shop we managed to get outside and remove some trees.  There is not very many on the list this year.  Our target for this year is unhealthy trees; whether they are cracked, dying or just not growing the right direction.  Below is a couple of pictures of our staff and the tree work. 

Have Happy Holiday Season with Family and Friends!!

Ross

Bunker Project / Temporary Hole Locations

Due to the cold weather, frost setting in the ground, we have closed the greens and moved to the temporary hole locations.  If the weather warms and you feel the urge to come out and play please use the "temps".  Also at this time there is no cart usage allowed on the course, driving on the frozen turf will damage the plant and may even kill it.  So if you come out enjoy the walk.  Thank You, if you have any questions please contact me. 

Even with the cold weather we started the work on removing the back right bunker on #17 green.  There were several issues with that bunker, and felt it was time to remove it.  We removed a major portion of the dirt and have the area roughed in, as shown below in the before and after pictures.  We will finish grade and seed in the spring.  Now we have a big pile of the excess dirt to deal with.  The plan is to use the dirt for several other little projects as Mother Nature allows.  This may include redoing the bunkers on the driving range, making them more maintenance and ball picking friendly. 

The Maintenance Staff would like to Thank all Our Members for another great season.  We appreciate your support, and are looking forward to 2019!!  If you have any great ideas or suggestions on how to improve your golf experience please let use know. 

Thank you

Ross
 

Is The End Near???

This week is rather busy for the Maintenance Staff.  We will be in the process of putting the finishing touches preparing the Golf Course for the winter season.  Below is a list of some of the main items we address before winter, there are many other little items not listed.

On the schedule for today:
- Spray our greens with a mixture of fungicides and anti transparent, this will help protect the putting surfaces from snow mold.
- Winterize the two restrooms on the course.
- Top dress tees and collars with sand.
- Continue to chop and blow leaves.
- Cut temporary green holes
- Remove fountain from irrigation pond

Tuesday:
-Winterize irrigation system, typically takes about 12 hours.
-Continue to top dress tee areas

Wednesday:
-Winterize well systems.
-May start bringing accessories in, depends on forecast.

Thursday:
-Winterize Driving Range Building
- Apply a heavy coat of sand on the greens, this protects the crown of the turf grass plant.

We will keep the greens open as long as the weather permits, at some point we will switch over to temporary hole locations on the front nine.   There will be more information to follow.  For now come out and enjoy your golf course.

Below is a picture of a Demo rough mower we purchased.  Fall is a great time to get a good machine with some very low hours on, and also a very good price.  If you ever want to check out some of the equipment we use on the course feel free to stop down to the shop.  If the weather allows you may even take it out for a drive.

We will see you on the course.
Ross

Compaction Relief

Last week was a complete wash, this week we were back on schedule to complete our compaction relief.  Greens and fairways were on schedule for this week.

On the greens we went with a 3/4" solid tine.  This provided an adequate hole to get sand into the soil's profile.  The process went like this; top dress heavy with sand, aerate, drag in the sand and finally roll the green's surface.   All this to keep the green's surface as playable as possible. 

The fairways we used our new Terra Slicer, as shown below.  It has many slicing blades going to depths of up to 8".  We currently have it set to depth of 6", this provide good compaction relief while not totally tearing up the playing surface.  With the good weathe we will be done with all fairways areas by Friday. 

If you have any questions or comments please contact me. 

We will see you on the course.

Ross