Agronomic planning in winter

Despite the lack of snow, it is still winter. Moderate temperatures have afforded us the opportunity to continue to get some off-season jobs accomplished on the course. But the winter is more about inside work- refreshing accessories for another season, but also developing our agronomic plan.

While we do slow our pace in the winter, we don’t stop. Planning our strategy for the next season, making any changes or improvements over the prior season, takes place over the winter months. We make a general plan for timing every major agronomic practice we will take for the entire year.

We also must plan nearly all the chemicals we will use on the course. Over time, our chemical suppliers have made it increasingly beneficial to purchase our products early- meaning October-December of the previous year. Rebates, credits, and volume pricing are all offered from each vendor to the point that the savings are too good to pass up. So, we made 95% of our chemical purchases for 2023, in October of 2022, and we follow that same schedule every year. What this means is that we must have the next season’s plan developed enough to know every chemical we will need, roughly when we need it, and exactly how much we need.

Having to purchase everything we need 6-10 months before we use it puts pressure on diligently developing our plan. During the winter we make sure we have everything lined up so once the season starts, we are ready to go.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don’t play on greens that are partially or completely covered in snow.

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

 Golf Cart tips

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org