Snow cleanup

Another week, another different weather event. Everything we do is dictated by the weather and for the last couple of weeks, Mother Nature has commanded us to slow down.

A few weeks ago, we had some very strong winds that led to a lot of cleanup and nothing else. This past week, we saw our first significant snow storm of the season- on March 21^st! While we haven’t used much of our snow cleanup skills yet this season, we were ready.

We spent the day periodically shoveling all of the entrances to the clubhouse and putting down ice melt as necessary. Through the middle of the day, when the snow was coming down heaviest, we were also running the plow constantly keeping access to all areas of the property open. Finally, toward the end of the day, the snow slowed, the paved surfaces began to warm up a little bit and the snow was not sticking, so we made a final pass with the plow for the evening.

The next day we spent the morning cleaning up all of the edges of the parking lot where the plow cannot reach. Using shovels, we clean up around all of the curbs. If we don’t clear around the curbs two things can happen. First, drivers can lose visibility of the curbs and hit them and damage their car. Second, if we received more snow, and the curbs are not kept clear, the snow piles can slowly creep further out into the parking lot and parking lot space can shrink.

So not only did we lose two days directly to snow cleanup, we also lost another couple of days waiting on the snow to melt. Although, the temperatures warmed quickly, the snow did not melt fast enough for us to start any projects that we had planned. Now we will catch back up on the time we lost cleaning up the snow.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don't start off 10 tee without permission from the Golf Pro Shop.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

New tee signs

Since the Master Plan renovation was completed last season, we were due for new tee signs to mark each hole. Last week, our new signs arrived and they are out on the course now.

The signs are similar composition to the in-ground plaques that are on the tee surfaces as well as the 100, 150, and 200 in-ground plaques in the fairways. We were able to work with the same manufacturer to get a consistent look throughout the course. They knew our color schemes and style, so the design process was very simple.

We elected to go with a simple design for both the sign shape and the post. The signs need to contain the basic hole information including yardages and par, but we did not feel the need to include maps of each hole layout or further additions. As for the posts, we did opt to go with a decorative cap and base combination to add some distinction. These provide a nice finished look.

Of course, a majority of our play is members who do not need information regarding hole number and par. However, for those golfers, it still can be attractive. But, for the rounds consisting or golfers who have never played Bretton Woods, having each hole marked will aid in their enjoyment of our facility. So, next time you play, keep an eye out for the new signs.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don't start off 10 tee without permission from the Golf Pro Shop.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Putting green thaw

One of the many concerns that comes during the winter and early spring months is in regards to the greens freezing and thawing. While it can be harmful if too many rounds were played on partially thawed greens, many of the cultural practices we implement help minimize that risk.

When the greens thaw on a warm day, they thaw from the top down. This puts the crucial and most sensitive parts of the turfgrass plant at risk from traffic. The problem is: the crown of the plant is in the soil that is thawed, and therefore mushy, wet and easy to shift under the weight of a golfer; however, the roots of the plant are still in the frozen section of soil and thus can’t be moved. The golfer’s foot can shear the crown off from the roots, which is a quick and easy way to kill the plant.

First of all, it does take repeated traffic over a day from numerous golfers to cause an issue. One person walking across a green will not cause damage. Neither would 50 people. The problem would become more likely if rounds reached 100 or more golfers. We don’t deal with very many winter days that reach those numbers of rounds. Nevertheless, this is not an issue we take lightly. We do everything we can through our maintenance practices to mitigate the chances of damage even on a day when the rounds do start to add up.

Our first step is to make sure that the greens are in good health leading into winter. Any damage, poor roots, or other issues must be taken care of in the fall because healing won’t happen over the winter. Luckily, we have had good putting green health at the end of the season the last few years. Next, we perform a deep tine aeration, which you can read more about here. This allows for improved drainage during the winter and keeps excess moisture from backing up in the soil. Less moisture means that as the thaw begins, the upper layer is less mushy and soft and can tolerate the traffic better. Similarly, during the winter months we maintain our topdressing program. Including after the deep tine aeration, we top dress the greens as often as we can during the off season. The sand serves two main purposes. First, water moves through the sand faster than heavier soil. This helps move water out of the top layer and keeps the surface firm. Second, the sand acts as a protective layer over the top of the turfgrass plant. By covering the plant with sand, we shield it from the foot traffic.

We do monitor the greens every day to make sure that no damage will occur and would take the necessary precautions if needed. But, by preparing the greens in the winter, we are better able to ward off possible damage and keep the putting greens open throughout the winter.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don't start off 10 tee without permission from the Golf Pro Shop.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Wind storm

This past week we had quite a wind storm. While it wasn’t accompanied by rain, snow, ice, or much else, there was still more than enough damage.

With sustained winds in the 30-40 mile per hour range and gusts as high as 60-70 miles per hour it was a very intense storm. While it lacked the sudden intensity and widespread tree destruction of the Derecho from several years ago, this storm nevertheless will require a lot of cleanup. About 15 trees fell during the storm. 13 of them were pines and 2 were dead or dying crabapples. While these trees represent a loss to our overall tree population, they are not as valuable as some of our hardwoods and can be replaced with better, stronger species through our tree replacement program.

Over the next week we will focus on cleanup. Picking up sticks, branches and medium to large limbs across the entire property. We will also cut up some of the smaller whole trees that fell. The larger full trees will be handled by our outside tree contractor.

Please bear with us as we work through the cleanup process. Please be cautious on the course around the debris. We are dedicating most of our labor to returning the course to a playable state as soon as possible.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don't start off 10 tee without permission from the Golf Pro Shop.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org