2018 has been an interesting year with 15 months of renovations and challenging weather that has impacted turf mangers across the country. We continue to play catch up with our 2019 agronomic program, Mother Nature has slowed our progress slightly with the continued precipitation, but we feel confident we will hit the mark in 2019. As you can see from the graphic below, prolonged heat, humidity and high rainfall were the norms for 2018. Since, March 1st we are closing in on over 55" rain and 42 days above 90F.
Considering the challenges of Mother Nature, the new practice area is maturing well and will be open for play off of the grass in spring of 2019. Please continue utilize the synthetic tee line for all practice.
Walking around the golf course in the winter months, the landscape begins to change; fewer leaves on the trees, opens up vistas and sight lines , the dormant fairways add contrast to the cool season roughs and the putting surfaces have a camouflaged appearance, as noted in the photo of the 10th green. These old bentgrass types originally planted in the 1920s exhibit this appearance typically each fall and winter when the soil temperatures dip below 50F.
Holes 4,6 and 7 in the winter and summer months
Over the winter months the Grounds team and I will be busy with the following:
- Drainage improvements on holes 4 and 6
- Installation of an electric turf fan on the 7th green
- Preventative maintenance on the equipment fleet
- Tree Management program
- Data Analysis from 2018, relating to clip volume, ball roll and moisture management
- Snow and ice removal
- Construction of new grounds building
- Review and updating of 5 year grounds plan
- Continuing education
One of the biggest challenges is navigating the H2-B guest worker program for 2019. Each year, we engage in this program becuase it provides legal seasonal workers that reduce training costs and improve consistency for an 8 month season, however with Visa shortfalls and political obstacles there is no guarantee we will have our friends from Mexico back 2019. Fingers crossed!
From the entire Grounds Team we wish you a safe and Happy New Year and a prosperous 2019!
As always, if there are any questions or feedback please send to grounds@hydeparkcc.com
Thank-you,
Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent
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