Accessory cleaning

At this time of year, with the cold weather, our work doesn’t stop but shifts in focus. Drainage, bunker work, and tree work dominate our outside time. But we also spend a great deal of time inside working on refurbishing some of the accessories that are on the course.

Bunker rakes, ball washers, and tee markers are all cleaned, repaired and repainted as necessary at this time. Because the golf season is over, having these items off the course for a period is not a major problem, compared to the us trying to do the work in July.

This year we will also be removing the yardage plaques from the course for good thorough cleaning. It has been several years since we last cleaned the plaques (they don’t get dirty very quickly), but this will be the first time we have brought them back to the shop for a deeper cleaning. We will get the plaques back out to the course once we are finished, but there will be a stretch of time that they are missing. We will work on 9 holes at a time. With clean plaques for the start of next season, we will also work on double checking the yardages and making sure the plaques are set correctly.

Winter work is slower paced and not related to the health of the turf, but the tasks that we get accomplished still make a difference to the overall experience during the season.

 

 

As a reminder, we are now reducing down to 1 post per month through February. Thank you

 

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful on greens that are partially covered in snow or ice. Do not play from these spots, and please do not try and scrape the snow or ice out of your way.

 

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

End of the year wrap-up

Despite some of the coldest days of the year, the Grounds staff has been very busy. A common misconception regarding turf maintenance is that there isn’t anything to do over the winter since we aren’t maintaining the grass. However, the jobs may change, but the work doesn’t stop.

We have had several projects ongoing at once over the last few weeks. Although the weather has been cold at times, we have had some warmer days mixed in, but more importantly for our work, it has still been dry. Early frost delays are still part of the equation at this time of year, but once we’re past that, if the ground is dry, we can get out and accomplish our goals.

Here is a wrap-up of some of our recent work:

We are down to our last bunker renovation-the chipping green bunker - after having completed the renovations of the bunkers at 13 green, plus all of holes 14, 15, and 16. Due to the enormous amount of action the chipping green bunker gets, we must renovate it on a tighter schedule, having last completed work on it back in 2020. The sand blasted out of the bunker accumulates on the face at an accelerated rate and we must keep up or the integrity of the bunker suffers

Our annual winter tree work has also been in full swing. This, more than any other project, has benefited from the dry ground the most. Getting heavy tree maintenance equipment on the course can be a challenge, but when the ground is this dry (or frozen!) makes it much easier. We are working across the lower section of the course- holes 2, 3, 13, 14, and 17. Believe it or not, most of the work we are doing is still cleanup from the storm back in July that was a lower priority at the time, and we decided could wait until after the season.

Along with bunker renovation work, one of our recurring winter projects is adding additional drainage. Every winter since the Master Plan renovations were completed, we have added new drains, some of which you can read about here and here. We monitor areas throughout the season, noting how well they perform when we get heavy rain, and keeping a list of where work is needed. We have already completed drains on 4, 13, and 18. Work is still upcoming on 14 approach. The drains are out of site, buried in the ground, but this work is some of the most impactful for golfers as well as the turf. By adding these drains in wet areas, we improve the playability overall, as well as increasing our ability to allow carts off the path.

#18 fairway work

Drainage work on #4

#4

#13 work

Drainage on #13

More from #13

Lastly, back in the summer, the Golf Committee recommended the practice bunker to the left of the driving range tee be moved near the lower driving range tee. This is a project we can handle in-house, but it was not practical to try and do the work during the season. However, now is an ideal time. The old bunker near the upper driving range tee will be filled in completely and nothing new will be built in its place. A brand-new bunker is under construction down at the new practice tee area that will be much more accommodating to the Golf Professional staff giving lessons. This bunker will be finished soon, but we likely will not open it until closer to spring.

Preparing the location of the new bunker

Rough shaping of the new bunker

Another angle of new bunker

As you can see, winter only brings a shift in priorities, not a lack of work. Getting these projects finished now allows us to return our focus to the grass when it is time.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not try and remove a flagstick that is frozen into the cup. Turf damage may occur.

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

Final greens application

Believe it or not, as winter approaches, we still have one last chemical application to make on greens. Sometime between now and the end of the year is the window for which we are aiming to spray.

We have several components to this last application, covering several different needs for the greens. We often combine chemistries that accomplish different goals. Even during the season, when we spray, the tank will contain multiple products that help protect the plants, aid water movement through the soil, or any number of other things.

In this last spray we have three main goals:

1.       Protect the turf against possible disease over the winter.

2.       Discourage the Poa annua on the greens from producing seedheads.

3.       Aid in water movement during the winter.

Snow mold is a disease that affects turf over the winter. There are two types, one which requires snow over and one that does not. In our case, we are protecting against both, but particularly the type that occurs under snow. Although lately, extended snow cover has been uncommon, we still play it on the safe side because real damage can occur if left unprotected. This product will last until at least very late winter and possibly early spring.

In the last five years, new research has shown that applying a growth regulator to Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, can greatly reduce the amount of seedhead pressure that occurs in the spring. Since our greens are predominantly annual bluegrass, this is a crucial component for us. Timing can vary, sometime between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, is the best for this last plant growth regulator application. Again, applying the product now will last until March.

Finally, we will include a wetting agent in the upcoming spray. Again, following new research, putting a wetting agent in applications more frequently is better. We add the wetting agent into every single spray that we apply to greens, and this final one for the year is no different. During the winter, the wetting agent is important especially when the greens get waterlogged from heavy rain or snow melt, and the sun is not strong enough to evaporate the moisture. The wetting agent helps the water move down through the soil profile. In conjunction with the deep tine aeration completed last month, the wetting agent helps keep the surface firmer and less spongy.

Although normal turf growth has slowed to a crawl, we still need this last application on the greens. This application is critical to making sure the greens work through winter and start next spring on the right foot.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not scrape snow or ice off the green to clear your line for putting. Turf damage may occur.

 

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

Finishing touches

As the year winds down, we have been busy putting the finishing touches on some projects. We were able to complete our last set of bunker renovations before the nasty cold set in. And all the tall grass native areas were mowed down one last time for the season.

Being able to wrap up the bunkers on #2 before the cold (and holidays) was ideal. Although it looks like we may still get some unseasonably warm temps right after the start of the new year, we can’t count on that happening. Using the last stretch of warmer temps, we were able to quickly get the last bit of sod laid. Hopefully, in this next warm up, the sand will thaw, and we can move it back into place.

We also performed our winter mowing on the tall grass areas. We aim to mow these areas 3 times per year, with the last of the season being in December. Again, a few nice days right before the heavy rain, allowed us to compete the project. This mowing helps limit any winter germinating weeds from getting a head start and removes any dead tissue from some of the grass, so they have a fresh start come spring.

Mother Nature cooperated just late enough into the year for us to finish up some pressing outside projects before we hunker down to focus on our inside work.

Happy holidays

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not try and remove a flagstick that is frozen into the cup. Turf damage may occur.

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

Wrapping up drain projects

The weather stayed nice, so we pushed forward on our drain projects. We hoped to complete either the drain in #3 fairway or the drain in #10 fairway before Christmas. Well, today is the 20^th and both projects have been completed for over a week.

In both cases, we added drains to areas that regularly get and stay wet but are just out of reach of some other drainage nearby. These were either small pockets of low areas where the water cannot continue flowing to an adjacent drain or the nearest drain is just too far.

Luckily, we were still close enough to tie into existing drainage. Using drains that we know already work, keeps us from having to create a full exit strategy for the water we are trying to capture. Feeding our pipe into a working drain saves us lots of labor and disruption.

We are slowly eliminating small wet areas around the course. Each season we tackle a few more and each season the course can manage water a little better.

Happy Holidays

Completed work on #10 fairway

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not try and remove a flagstick that is frozen into the cup. Turf damage may occur.

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

New equipment wash pad

Keeping our equipment clean is a straightforward way to prolong its life. Washing the grass clippings, dirt, and other debris off after each use is a standard practice. We have a designated area in which to wash, and late this fall it was given a huge makeover.

Through normal use, our equipment gets dirty. Grass clippings accumulate on the mower decks in and around the drive belts. Leaves and dust get stuck on the air filter screens. Mud gets on tires and fenders when it is wet. None of this is out of the ordinary, but if not cleaned regularly, it can accrue and begin to cause problems.

This is not exactly a before shot, but it's close. The white pipes sticking
up are our irrigation connections. You can see how the area would get 
muddy from our water, but also runoff coming down the hill.

Many of you might know how grass clippings can build up on a machine- think about the mower you use at your house. The debris under the deck can get so thick that the blade can barely turn. Then, once it dries, it can harden and be very difficult to get off. We try to avoid this situation by cleaning the grass out after each use. Often the grass we mow is wet also. This wet grass sits on the mower and can cause rust to the frame. The clippings and moisture can also affect other parts of the mower and its operation and generally cause issues.

Excavating for the drain basin.

The quick, and easy way to stay away from these problems, is to routinely clean the machine. We do that by hosing the machine down after each use. Near our shop, at the bottom of the driving range hill, we have 2 hoses plugged into our irrigation system that we use to clean our equipment. While the location is convenient, the site was not great. We did not have a solid surface to park the equipment. The cart path leading in, was too narrow and crumbling on the edges. Lastly, our rinse water had no subsurface drainage in which to drain. Instead, it just flowed along the surface making the whole area muddy and contributing to the erosion along the edges of the cart path.

For our new site, we tore out everything and started over. A new, wider cart path leads to an asphalt pad with a drain basin built in. Pipes leading from the basin, take the rinse water away underground now. We built an earth berm to block the flow of rainwater coming down the driving range and diverted it around our wash pad, so that the drain does not back up from excess water. Finally, we sodded all around the new pad and cart path, then used seed and straw for the remainder.

The new drain basin in place.

The drain pipes leading from the basin.

Preparing for asphalt. Widening the road, as well as flaring out the corner
for easier equipment access.

Continuing to prepare for asphalt. Creating the 
swale to divert rainwater.

Ready for asphalt.

The new asphalt pad.

The new asphalt path.

New sod around the pad.

Complete with sod, seed and straw.

While this is a decidedly insignificant change for golfers, it is important for the Grounds department. We have a better place to wash our equipment, which means we can do a better job of taking care of our machines so that they perform on the golf course like we need them to.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not scrape snow off the green to clear your line for putting. Turf damage may occur. 

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

Spraying weeds on tees

Now that the temperatures have dropped to consistent lows, the Bermuda grass is dormant. Contrasting against the brown Bermuda grass are the green weeds. The weeds are especially apparent on the tees.

Between 2 harsh winters affecting the Bermuda grass as well as many tees being newly sodded, the weeds on the tees are the worst they have been in several years. The winter weather weakened any grass that survived, allowing weeds to infiltrate and establish. We elected not to treat for weeds over last winter to reduce any possible chemical hindrance to the Bermuda grass.

Although many herbicides are labeled safe to spray on dormant Bermuda grass, all herbicides in general affect anything they are applied to regardless. Plants that are “safe,” merely metabolize the active ingredient better than other plants and are thus not damaged. However, not killing a plant is one thing, but forcing a plant to metabolize a chemical when the grass is already weak (from a tough winter) and not growing (dormancy) can lead to slower recovery. This was the reasoning behind skipping this past year’s application.

Now that we made it through a season much healthier, we will resume limited spot treatments on tees to eradicate the weeds this winter. To ensure the Bermuda grass is in its most dormant state, we will wait until later in the winter to begin. Applications will be made with a backpack sprayer and will only treat the weeds, rather than a broadcast spray that would hit target and non-target surfaces. While this is certainly the slower of the two methods, it will result in less chemical use as well as less stress on the Bermuda grass.

The weeds on the tees are unsightly. We are aware of the issue and will be implementing a recovery plan as soon as possible.

As a reminder, we are only posting once per month from November thru February.

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

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

#9 pond drain

The year is not quite over…there is still enough time for one more rain event (forecast for today, 12/31). Once that total is added in, 2018 will be one of the wettest ever. Year to date we are at 70.54 inches of rain (and 11.5 inches of snow, which certainly contributes to ground water). Our average for a year is 40.75 inches. We have covered several impacts of this rain in past blogs this year, including here, here, and here. But the most recent effect of the rain was the draining down of #9 pond.

Water draining out of through the initial break

Just after Thanksgiving, we had another heavy rainstorm of 2”. A portion of the drain culvert that handles the overflow water from the pond and runs under #9 approach, broke and completely drained the pond. At the outflow, some soil eroded as well.

There are two small depressions in #9 approach that most likely indicate where the initial failure occurred, but we haven’t been able to excavate and investigate. We are still formulating a plan for repair. We have discussed the situation with 2 contractors thus far and are working on a proposal.

Erosion on the outflow side of the pipe

In the meantime, through more rain and partial erosion, the original break in the pipe has clogged itself. The pond has refilled and is currently draining through the overflow, down the culvert, and out the outflow as designed. While the problem has not been repaired, at this time the system is working like before, but we will still be making the necessary repairs.

Water beginning to refill the pond after
the break had clogged itself

The damage to the drain system of #9 pond is just the last in a long list of issues caused by the rain this year. It will be nice to get 2018 behind us and get ready for the challenges of 2019.

Happy New Year.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please keep carts on cart paths for the entirety of par 3 holes.

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

Fresh bunker sand

Now that the Master plan has been completed, one of our main goals is to maintain the course in this new form. This includes: re-edging bunkers, Bermuda grass weed control, and adding new bunker sand.

In the past couple of weeks, we have continued this process by adding new bunker sand to the right greenside bunker on #9 as well as both fairway bunkers on #8. When planning to add new sand to a bunker, we first decide whether we can simply add new sand on top of the existing sand or if we need to remove the old sand and start fresh. The post above about bunker sand goes into more detail regarding how sand can be lost from a bunker and how it can become contaminated. Luckily, all of the bunkers we did this fall were draining properly and only needed to be refreshed.

Since the Master plan was completed in stages, the new bunkers, etc. will age in stages as well. We keep records and a timeline for when each feature of the course was built. This allows us to plan what needs to be updated and when. With this schedule we can align our bunker sand supply, labor, and weather to allow for the most efficient completion of the task. The schedule also helps us to keep track of the maintenance and help prevent a bunker from being neglected and affecting play.

If we are able to stay on top of the required maintenance of the course, we will avoid slipping into the deferred maintenance slide that preceded the Master plan in the first place.

Please note we have switched to once per month posts for November and running through February. Thank you.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please place your broken tee into the broken tee box near the tee markers whenever possible.

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:

Divot Repair

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Raising sprinkler heads

Happy Holidays.

Sprinkler head that needs to be raised

During the slower months of the winter, we try and tackle some of the projects that can’t be easily done during the summer. Repainting tee markers and ball washers are two indoor tasks that aren’t easily accomplished during the busy months because those accessories are needed on the golf course. As the weather allows we also work on some outside projects, like trimming trees, that are easier when there are fewer golfers on the course. This year, another outside task that we have started is raising sprinkler heads.

Another angle of sprinkler head that
needs to be raised

Over time, sprinkler heads settle into the soil or the soil around them is raised through topdressing and they become too low in relation to the surrounding area. This causes a couple of main issues. First, the coverage and uniformity of water distribution is severely compromised. The stream of water that flows from the nozzle can be deflected by the grass and soil that surrounds the sprinkler. This leads to poor coverage, some areas don’t receive the intended water because it is knocked down, and then it flows to an area that was already receiving water and that area becomes too wet. The wet areas are usually right near the sprinkler and a puddle will even sometimes form, impacting maintenance and golfers. Second, this wet area affects playability. The puddle that forms around the head can lead to poor conditions from which to hit or walk. The rules of golf provide for relief from standing water, but not form soggy soil where no water is visible, so we are working to eliminate overly wet areas that are a result of sprinklers.

There are roughly 1,100 sprinkler heads on the golf course. We are by no means attempting to raise them all. Most of the sprinklers on the course don’t need to be raised and it would take too long anyway. To start with, we are focusing on sprinklers around greens only, since these have the most impact for agronomics and playability; the most important turf to water on the course is the putting greens and the most important shots hit on the golf course are on or around the putting greens. Selecting these particular sprinklers first allows us to finish a segment of the irrigation system. Rather than start on the first head on the first tee and slowly work down the first hole, we are zeroing in on our most important area. If we simply worked in order it would take at least one full off-season to complete all low sprinklers on an entire hole, so it would be many years before we reached a problem sprinkler at 13 green for example.

Completed sprinkler

As mentioned, this project would be difficult during the busy golf season because our staff would constantly be in the way of the golfers. However, working on this project in the winter can be equally as challenging. Frost slows us down and frozen or snow covered ground stops us completely.  So far this fall/early winter we have raised 28 heads around greens and we are finished through #9. We will skip 11, 12, and 13 greens and save those sprinklers for construction time, so our goal is to finish all of the greens’ sprinklers by spring.

Another angle of completed
sprinkler

The relatively mild start to winter has allowed us to get a good portion of this project completed already. Mother Nature will put the brakes on us soon enough, but we will pick back up before the golf season kicks off next year.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not try and remove a flagstick that is frozen into the cup. Turf damage may occur.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Rough seeding

The rough grass is a mixture of grasses and can be seen with the slice lines from the seeder.

As we continue to look for ways to improve, one step we are taking is to begin seeding the rough. Bermuda grass is very aggressive and can begin to push outward from the fairways into the surrounding rough. When it goes dormant, the definition of green rough and brown fairways is mottled with brown spots of Bermuda grass that have moved into the rough. This creates an unattractive, undefined edge. So we seed tall fescue into these areas to help redefine the edge and create a crisp look.

Green lines of emerging seedlings can be seen in this picture and the photo below.    

We are in a difficult position because we do not have full irrigation of our rough outside of the fairways. The majority of our rough grass relies on water from the fairway sprinklers. Because Bermuda grass is a heat and drought tolerant turf grass, we are able to conserve water and keep our fairways drier than many. The downside of this fact is that when we hit a dry spell of rainfall and we do not need to water the fairways, our rough suffers. The rough can become thin in areas and the Bermuda grass will take the opportunity to move outward and fill in those areas. With a sharp edge of definition between the green rough and dormant fairways, the visual appeal can be striking. However, the Bermuda grass infiltrating the rough ruins the look and makes the edge look sloppy.

We seeded in mid-November. This is a good time to seed because we usually receive enough rainfall to help the seed germinate and grow. Also, the Bermuda grass is dormant so it is not competing with the new seed. With our new seeder purchased last year, we seeded at least 5 feet around every fairway. In most areas, this covered the extent to which the Bermuda grass had moved into the rough. In addition to redefining the edge, we also seeded in a more drought tolerant variety of turf grass to help with stress in low rainfall stretches. So far, the results have been terrific and we have grass growing everywhere we seeded.

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on the rough immediately outside the fairways first. Continual seeding will help shift the balance of grass back towards cool season rough grass instead of Bermuda grass. We will also expand to include more and more rough areas as we continue. We will seed into green surrounds, deeper rough, and the rough between tees and fairways.

Although many people dislike the look of the dormant Bermuda grass, if we maintain a clean, dormant fairway surface and we maintain clean rough, the contrast between the two will be very visually appealing.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Winter projects

Now that we are fully entrenched in the off-season, it is time for the Grounds Department to catch up on several tasks that cannot be completed during the busy golf season. Preventative maintenance on equipment, repainting tee markers and course signs, and bunker rake repair are just a few things that will get done through the winter. Winter is also time for projects that are too difficult to accomplish amongst play.

The maintenance of our equipment fleet is non-stop. When we are using a piece of machinery 4-6 times per week, it can be difficult to accomplish anything other than emergency repairs and basic maintenance. However, in the winter when a mower may not be used for a month or more, in depth work can be done. For example, hydraulic hoses are inspected and replaced if necessary. Bearings, bushings, and other moving parts are replaced. Belts are checked for wear and tension. Also, any issues that may have arisen during the season that were not completely addressed are addressed at this time. Basically, the most important and most often used machines are looked over from top to bottom.

Also at this time of year, every tee marker on the course is systematically brought to the maintenance shop for refurbishing. The markers are sanded, repainted, and sealed to prevent water damage. Also, if needed, the stake at the base of the marker that holds the tee marker in the ground is replaced. By doing this each winter, we can extend the life of the markers.

Similarly, each bunker rake is brought to the shop. Any broken handles or rake heads are discarded and replaced. Any grips that are worn, faded, or damaged are also replaced. An inventory is taken, and any replacement parts that are needed can be ordered. Again, this allows us to start fresh in the spring and to be sure we are putting quality tools on the course and are not caught short of supplies when the season starts.

The decrease in golfers over the winter also allows us to complete some projects with little or no interference. For example, we have already started trimming the trees on the golf course. This will be an ongoing process by which we will trim low or dead branches off every tree on the course. Removing these branches improves the safety for golfers underneath the trees, provides better air and light for the turf, and gives the tree a clean look. This is a multi-winter process though, due to the amount of trees on the property. Another project that we will be undertaking this winter is the re-sodding of bunker lips around the bunkers on holes 4-9. Many of you may have noticed the lip that has formed on these bunkers from sand and soil erosion and accumulation, as well as repeated foot traffic. We will strip the existing sod from the bunker edge, strip away any excess sand, then re-grass the edge with new sod. Because this project requires extensive time in bunker, especially near greens, working around and near many golfers would slow the process extremely. Saving a project like this for the winter disrupts the least amount of play and is the most efficient use of our time.

So while it may be the off-season, it certainly is not down time. We keep very busy making sure that when the season starts again, there are at least a few things about which we don’t have to worry.

Just a reminder: this will be the only post for December. January and February will each only have one post as well. Weekly posts will resume in March.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org