Grounds Update

The Grounds team has been busy across the golf course and grounds. The weather has been much more consistent, and we are starting to see many of the grasses actively growing.
 
Zoysiagrass Fairways:

 
Low lying, shaded areas in the fairways have been impacted with winter injury, we have placed directional ropes and Geo Fences in the GPS system to help reduce traffic in these weaker areas. During the restoration 33,000 lineal feet of drainage will be installed that will cover ~ 10 acres of fairways/ rough areas. With past drainage installations the course will have about half of the 30 acres of the fairways with internal drainage. The additional tree removal will assist allowing more sunlight for photosynthesis to grow healthy turf reducing the chances of winter injury in the future.
 
Currently, the Grounds team has aerified all winter injury in the fairways along with additional fertilizer applications. Over the coming weeks, sodding, plugging and little patience to allow for the turf to recover on its own.
 
Fine Fescue Establishment:
 
Fine Fescue Turfgrasses provide the following:
 
Drought Tolerance 
Shade Tolerance 
Soft Texture 
Natural Appearance 
Playability 
Stability on steep hillsides

 
The areas that were cleared over the winter  that were seeded and covered are starting to establish, weed control via mechanical means and herbicides to reduce weed competition.  The advance planting of Fine Fescue will help these slow growing grasses to develop. Fine Fescues can take 12-18 months to develop a seed head. We have begun another trial between 10/11 with FF, we will keep you posted on the development. In the fall we continue to establish Fine Fescue on holes, 1,2, 7,12 and 18. These areas will not be impacted by the restoration, and it will allow us to establish turf in "out of the way"non-irrigated areas. 

Fine Fescue on 5 Hillside

Hydroseeding of slopes with Fine Fescues

H2-B Guest Workers:

We received great news that our team from Mexico will be finally joining us in May! This will mark the 9^th year that they will be assisting on the grounds of the golf course.

Practice Area:

I have been asked a few questions on the proper etiquette on divot removal on the grass tees. Below are a few pictures of divot patterns that are exhibited at HP. Ideally there is one divot pattern that should be utilized for increased recuperation and the most efficient use of turf, better known as a “lineal” divot pattern. The lineal divot pattern is a series of divots connected in a lineal fashion with a minimum of 2-3” of turf between each strip. The creeping Bentgrass/Zoysia grass left between the divots will grow horizontally, decreasing the amount of time for recovery. 

 
Putting Green Aeration:

The greens are healing well, we have lowered mowing heights twice and we will continue to work on texture and smoothness of the surface.

Thanks for your feedback and comments around the course and grounds. Please reach out if you have any questions grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Pat O'Brien,

Grounds Superintendent