More Bermuda grass work

We continue to push the Bermuda grass to fully heal from winter damage. This week we continued our healing program by targeting a few certain holes and certain small spots for improvement.

We sliced for a second time a few of the worst damaged fairways: 5, 7, 8, 11, and 16 were all completed. Winter and early spring shade played a role in the damage to several of these holes and we will continue to address that issue. As we have discussed previously, this winter we also suffered above normal Spring Dead Spot (SDS) damage, which also affected these same holes more so than others. Slicing helps to cut into healthy tissue and invigorate new growth, which will lead to the bares spots filling in with healthy tissue. It is not an easy process, and the slicing actually sets the healthy tissue back for a time, but it rebounds quickly with renewed vigor.

On some other holes, we also started plugging out SDS spots that are struggling to heal. We have done this in the past, which is detailed here and here. Our goal is not to fill in every single blemish, but instead to fill some that are not showing the progress of others. By taking out the worst areas and helping the other areas recover, the overall improvement of a particular fairway will be faster.

Lastly, we have been and will continue to feed and water the Bermuda grass. Weekly fertilizer applications are ongoing and will remain part of the program until no longer necessary. We are also making sure the Bermuda grass has adequate moisture. Luckily, Mother Nature has been doing a solid job thus far, but we want to make sure that grass that is trying to recover and grow is not short any essential needs.

Our work on the Bermuda grass is on-going. We are making daily and weekly adjustments and will continue to do so through the season.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not hit into the Grounds department staff, because it is dangerous. Please be sure that we see you before hitting your shot.

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

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org