Tournaments, leaves, and frost

We are nearing the end of summer officially, though there are a couple of 90-degree days in the forecast still. We are looking forward to a busy upcoming golf schedule and the start of leaf cleanup, greatly reduced Bermuda grass maintenance, and frost days.

We continue to maintain the course at a high level for the September tournament schedule. The Stroke Play Championship wrapped up this past weekend and Men’s Member Guest comes soon. As soon as we get past that, we will be decreasing the maintenance of the Bermuda grass. Although we make Spring Dead Spot chemical treatments and specific fertilizer applications, the best program for the Bermuda grass is to stop beating it up. As strange as it is to think about, because it is so routine, mowing is damaging to turf grass. The plants do become accustomed to the practice, but the overall wear and tear adds up. Just the weight of the machines is a stress factor. This is true for every type of grass, but we work to protect the Bermuda grass more so than the other species come fall. Therefore, we raise the mowing height, drastically reduce the frequency of mowing, and let the Bermuda grass plant naturally prepare for winter. This also helps us redirect our labor to leaves.

Leaf cleanup hasn’t truly started, though we have had the blowers out a few times now; the worst is still to come. Working to stay on top of the leaves is one of the most trying times of the year. The sheer volume, the wind alternately working with and against us, and attempting to stay out of the way of golfers all makes for a long fall.

Lastly, here is an early-bird warning on frost delays: they are coming! We will post a more in-depth piece about frost later. But just as the grass must start preparing early for cold temperatures, golfers should start preparing early for frost delays. There may not be frost at your house, there may not be frost on the grass near the Proshop, but if there is frost on the golf course that will be damaged by play, we will stall the first tee times.

Early morning on the course looking back down #10 and
across to #1. No frost yet!

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the cart path.

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