Crazy Spring

Since the last update there has been little change to the golf course.  March was one of the warmest and best in the last few years, but then came April.  April started out great then turned cold.  There was a week straight of frost on every playing surface, even greens.  It was also a very dry and windy month, that had the irrigation system running more than summer. 

For the start of May we are about 2 weeks behind normal.  The rain the last few days was needed, and with warmer temps on the way the course will catch up quickly.

The course  conditions and play-ability are improving daily.  There are a few spots on greens that were covered Monday that we are trying to help speed along.

2 green was completely covered.  The cover helps combat cold night time temps and speed along the healing process.  This is the only green on the course that didn't come out of winter well this year, and has been slow to recover since.   Mostly, the same areas that had winterkill last year.  These areas are still newly established turf and did not recover as well as the rest of the green throughout a cooler April.

2 green will be a temp the rest of this week, and will be under a cover at night to help it catch up to the rest of the greens on the course.  The goal is to open it back up next week, at the latest by opening shotgun.  

This temporary inconvenience is necessary so this is not a lasting problem through the summer. 

The back of 3 green also has a cover over the expansion, but 3 green remains open. 

The rest of the course is in great shape,and primed for another great season!

  

Greens and Carts

#7 Green was opened for play this afternoon

The weather this week has been great for the golf course, and it has shown a great deal more growth.  This time of year the multiple rain events followed by warm temps with sun improve the turf daily.  As stated last week all that is holding back a few greens, and carts is the course being able to recover from the traffic.  

Yesterday greens were rolled once again to prep for a 2nd cut today.  

7 green improved enough in the last week to open. 

 5 and 10 green are just about ready, just need to dry out a bit more.   Remember the damage to 5 and 10 from a year ago?  Many of the plants on those 2 greens have not been established for a year.   With that said, I still see them opening this weekend, and staying open as long as they take play and traffic as well as the other greens.

2 green has improved from last week, but still is not ready. 

16 green is always the slowest to wake up.  That is because of the lack of sunlight from being in the shadows of the 2 elms trees.  Also much of this green also was sodded less than a year ago.

Carts will allowed on a day to day basis.

We plan to have carts tomorrow Friday March 18. As long as we don't get too much rain from thunderstorms popping up this afternoon.

Saturday has a high in the mid 40's so there will most likely be a delay until carts can go.   

Weather will be a huge issue with carts going forward.  The forecast has the area receiving snow this Sunday/Monday.  

Please keep a majority of cart traffic IN FAIRWAYS.  They are able to recover much better than the rough 

Hopefully weather will cooperate and we can have everything open a week from now.  

Again please be patient with conditions of bunkers and some rough areas.  The crew is working hard and progressing every day, but we are still waiting for many of our seasonal staff members to return.  We will catch up very soon to the standards expected 

Links Update

An update seems long overdue, but there was no true transition between winter and spring this year.  Friday's snowstorm covered the course for the weekend, and the rest of the snow melted by Monday afternoon.  The water from melting snow, along with warmer temps and longer days (More Sun!) woke up the Poa in greens.  So Monday, Tuesday, and today have been spent prepping greens for the season.  

Triplex Cutting greens Monday afternoon

Many greens are ready and are being opened for play this afternoon.  We are evaluating on a green to green basis, so a few greens will remain temps until they show enough growth to recover from foot traffic.

Fresh Cup on 18 

The season came quick this year, and the crew is working hard to get the course prepared.  Please bare with us as we have prioritized prepping and opening playing surfaces over getting the course cleaned to our standards.  Bunkers, rough, and tree lines are still in need of spring cleaning.   The crew is making great progress, and we will catch up quickly.

I'm looking forward to the 2016 season!  The course, greens, and carts will go as soon as each area shows it can grow and recover from daily stresses.   If the weather stays this way it will be very soon. 

See you around The Links soon.

Food for Thought:

March 6th, 2016

Twitter/Blog Post:  March 10, 2015