Early spring update

While spring is not officially here yet, we have been out doing some spring-like things so far.

Last week we aerated greens. This may seem early in the season for such a task, but we have a very clear reason for this approach. Later in the spring we will be using Plant Growth Regulators (PGR’s) to control the seed heads that our primary green’s grass, Poa annua, produces every year. These chemicals are excellent at limiting the seed heads by severely stunting the growth of the plant. In doing so, the PGR’s also restrict the healing of aeration holes. By aerating so early in the season, we can separate the time of aeration from our first PGR application by as much as possible. We achieve as much healing as we can before we shut the growth of the plant down.

Getting aeration completed early in the season is great for several reasons.
But it also means a very dark start to the process!

The Grounds department has also been cleaning out all the flower beds. We remove any debris that has collected over the winter. Trim any plants that need it and edge the entire bed for a crisp look. We will be adding new wood chips also, but we are still currently waiting for our wood pile to be ground into said chips.

We also accomplished one job that we don’t usually do at this time of year: we trimmed around all the sprinklers on the course. Normally we will wait until much deeper into spring before tackling this, but not only did we have time and conducive weather, but we also believe this timing will provide a cleaner look through spring. None of the grass is growing well just yet, so the trim that we completed now should last much later into spring.

We also are slowly getting our accessories back out onto the course. As we gradually lose sight of the bitter cold of winter, we will be getting things like ball washers and water coolers placed back out. Tee markers will be swapped out; benches and cart posts will return; and new flags will give a fresh look.

Spring does not officially start for another couple of weeks. The Grounds department is working to get a step ahead though.

Also, we are now returning to weekly posts. Thank you

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please leave bunker rakes inside the bunker once you are finished.

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