Cover Deployment! This is only a test!

We deployed our covers yesterday. This was not weather related but a test of sorts. We have not opened and spread the covers since late last winter. In order to examine each cover and be sure they have not suffered any unexpected damage over the last 12 months we needed to spread them out.
So we simply pulled each one out, arranged it on the green, and re folded it back up onto the pallet. Everything was in good shape and the covers are prepared for use if Mother Nature decides to shock us with some winter weather.

Caution 9 fairway!

Recently we have had a couple of golfers slip on the protective mats we installed in the entrances/exits to 9 fairway. There are only a few slick spots where the turf is thin, but these areas can be quite slippery. We have placed signs at each entrance so walkers will warned.
Over all I have been quite pleased with the mats ability to protect the turf and the improved appearance of the area. However walkers need to be cautious this time of year.

No need to cover this week.

The weather is forecasted to get quite chilly tomorrow and tomorrow night. As of now, there is no reason to cover our greens. The duration of cold temperatures will be too short to bring our soil temperatures down far enough, long enough to cause any concern. I will keep a watch on the forecast just in case something changes drastically.
Just thought I would give everyone an update since this is one of the first cold snaps of the season.

Weeds Fairways and Greens!

This year has been extremely mild and a little wet. This is the perfect combination for winter weeds. We have already sprayed the fairways and will be spraying the Tee complexes and the Green complexes as the wet weather allows. Once sprayed it will take a week or two for the weeds to die completely. This is because the cooler temperatures slow the movement of chemicals through the plant.

Our Greens have more Poa in them than in recent years. This is because of the warmer weather we have had this season. I normally begin spraying the Greens for Poa right after we paint, but we have not been able to spray the herbicide yet! We have not had a real cold snap to cool the soil temperatures enough for the Champion Turf to go completely dormant. Spraying the turf with a herbicide while in a state of partial dormancy can be ddangerous. We have a cold front coming in this week, I am going to spray the greens directly after our next heavy frost. Probably Thursday morning. That way I know that we will have no damage to the Greens.

Here are some Pictures of Andy spraying the Fairways with Herbicide last week.

Christmas Time!

During this time of year the members of MCC present the Employees with a Holiday Bonus. All of us down at the Turf Care Facility would like to say a great big Thank You to all of the members who were so generous once again this year!

Here is a picture of my full time crew. These guys and gal work all year long in very different weather extremes to provide MCC with the best possible conditions. All of them take pride in their job and enjoy working here! They really make me look good and I appreciate everything they do. THANKS GUYS!

From left to right; back row; Edgar, Aaron, Mike, Andy, Jose,

Front; Oscar, Alfredo, Cande.

SNOW ?

Today's winter precipitation was a surprise to everyone!

No concerns in regards to our Greens or Course other than it being WET.

As soon as we are able we will continue painting the Greens today. While we are painting at least two holes will be closed at at time in order for the paint to dry. We apologize for the inconvenience, although I doubt many will want to play today in the snow/muddy/wet conditions.

Due to the delay caused by the snow we may not be able to finish painting the Greens until Friday.

Painting Greens

We have begun painting Greens today. They will be done by Thursday afternoon.
We paint greens for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it looks great! Our paint job really has a natural look that really gives the golfer a brilliant target to shoot at from the fairway.
Secondly, the dark color helps attract sunlight and in turn helps to warm the surface and the soil.

Andy and Alfredo spraying first coat on #1

Applying 2nd coat to #1

Chipping Green Completed

Painted Chipping Green on Left, unpainted Putting Green on Right.