Moisture Meters

There have been plenty of guesses what this device is used for....The correct answer is a Moisture Meter. It gives the % water content in the soil.  Right now we are using 3" probes and the meter takes the average percentage through the full 3" depth.  As our roots begin to shorten during heat stress we will switch to shorter 1.5" probes.  

This device allows us to monitor our water content and try to keep greens consistent.  This also keeps playing conditions consistent.  During summer heat the meter helps us decide whether to water or syringe/ cool off the surface.  

So spread the word that it reads moisture content....Although I wish it could also give me the temperature and green speed along with the other guesses I've heard.

What are all those dots on the greens?

All the spots and dots on the greens are from ball-marks that were fixed incorrectly or not at all.  The crew plugged the pitted marks out of the greens and replaced with our topdressing sand.  Some seed was also mixed in.  Although these spots catch your eye they help keep the putting surface smooth.  

Golf Course Superintendent, Luke Knutson

Saturday June 1st at 8 AM I am the guest for On Par radio with Anthony Scorcia on AM radio 1240

Here's the link to the shows website.  Even after the show the podcast will be posted on the website.

Golf Course Superintendent, Luke Knutson

Bunkers

Today we had the opportunity to greatly improve the bunkers by moving sand around to insure proper depths throughout the trap.  This was done very early this spring, but  needed extra attention once again.  

The problem has not been a lack of sand....but how the sand was positioned inside the trap.  Most of the sand was on the face and edges of the bunker.  This leads to firm bottoms of the trap and fried egg lies on the faces.  

The crew checked the depth of the sand to insure a little less on the faces, and moved the excess sand to the bottom.    Most bunkers needed sand REMOVED not added. 

The difference is very noticeable.  Reinforcing the new expectations to the crew should lead to a better visual and playing experience on a daily basis.

Rains over the past week have shown some wet soggy areas on fairways and high traffic areas.  Our new Verti-Quake machine was ran through these areas again to help relieve the compaction and should greatly improve drainage.  This machine leaves the lines that were seen in many places this spring.

In between routine maintenance, we are continuing to clean up the course from storm damage.  

Memorial Weekend

The weather has not cooperated so far this holiday weekend.  Late yesterday we had a few trees snap in half and another completely uproot.  Plenty of other branches also blew out of trees.  All that added together with all the pollen and seeds made a huge mess across the whole course.  The delay today was just so we could clean up and be able to clean/mow greens, clean/rake traps, and blow off fairways and tees ahead of play.  The temporary inconvenience allowed the crew to get a great deal of cleanup done this morning.  This also allowed carts to go, softer conditions after the rain with the sticks and branches could have caused a ton of damage.  Things will be back to normal tomorrow morning, which looks like it will be the best weather of the Weekend!

New look for the Front Circle

All the rain days this week allowed time to finally start and finish the front entrance makeover. 

Divots

A frequent question I have heard lately is, when are divot boxes being put out on the tees?  

I am not a fan of leaving Divot mix on tees.  The seed usually germinates while still in the box and then never really does well once put in the divot.  So it wastes seed, labor to make the mix and top off the boxes.

What I have always done is send one person daily to fill the divots on every tee.  This is not much added time when this person is already going to each tee to blow it clean, empty garbage, check ballwashers, and move tee markers.  

As a membership Rockville Links does a great job filling fairway divots!  Keep it up and top off a few extra.  The staff will take care of Tee Divots.