June Update

 With the 2022 golf season in full swing the Grounds team has been very busy in-between record breaking levels of precipitation. The Zoysia grass has begun to shine, many of the thin areas from winter injury are starting to fill in and our team has sodded other areas.  There has been a shortage of Zoysia grass in the Midwest so we have been converting the Zoysia surrounds on 3rd hole to turf type tall fescue. The turf type tall fescue will slow golf balls down from hitting the path and ending up in the creek. This area has been mowed at fairway height and will allow for a seamless transition once moved to the the fairways.

The planting of summertime annuals is winding down, with over 2200 individual flowers planted this year. Among those are over 25 different varieties, ranging from staples like begonias and petunias to some not so common varieties like cuphea and cleome. There's also a nice mix of tropicals like Banana trees, Canna, Mandeville, and Hibiscus.

In the next week or so, fertilization on the flowers will begin to ensure the proper nutrients are given and then let things heat up and have mother nature take over. The flowers will begin to fill the landscape up and put on a good show.

As always thanks for the comments and questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

Zoysia Grass and Tropical Storm Bill

The recent humidity and now moist soil conditions has sent the Zoysia grass in high gear. The new Zoysia on the approaches of holes 4,6 and 8 are coming in quite nicely. We are close to the regular mowing heights on 4 and 8. The approach on 6 will take a little longer because of the difficulty mowing the steep slope. The staff continues to sand topdress these areas to firm and smooth.

The new Zoysia has come along way since being laid dormant last fall. As noted, in the photos below.

 

It generally takes about a full growing season for new Zoysia grass in this area to play and look like the existing fairways

Establihed Zoysia at Hyde Park

TS Bill

With an inch of rain this week, the soils are becoming moist and in some cases saturated. The most recent forecasts have the remnants of TS Bill stretching into the Ohio Valley this weekend. It is unclear at this point how much rain will fall, but it will almost certainly impact cart rules and course status. Please check with the Proshop, club emails, Twitter and facebook for the latest on course conditions. In advance of the wet weather the staff has been busy preparing the course with:

• Increased frequency of mowing
• Applications of plant growth regulators and plant protectants
• Sand Topdressing to tees and greens

The forecast next week does not look promising with more rain hot and humid conditions. The staff will be busy with venting of the putting surfaces to dry them out depending on what Mother Nature throws at us.

Thank-you

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

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Around the Grounds at HP

Mary's fine work!

Spring is here and the Grounds staff is in full stride, accomplishing many tasks across the golf course. The greens aeration was a success and we are slowly getting closer to our normal maintenance practices that will aid in smoother surfaces and improved ball roll.

Cores being collected during aeration

The golf course over the last few weeks has been extremely wet and challenging to accomplish basic mowing The staff has spent a lot of time on the weekends playing catch-up, I applaud them for their efforts and we apologize for any inconvenience to the members. Before the first mowing of the fairways we have been trying to firm the surfaces with rolling, after a long winter they are extremely soft. Overall, the zoysia looks good but we will have some minor repairs to edges of fairways and newly sodded areas.

Rolling of fairways

 

Saturated soil conditions mean hand-picking of range

With the golf season almost in full swing a couple quick reminders to repair ball marks properly, this graphic shows the correct way to enhance recovery.

The practice tee over the next few weeks will see some heavy usage to get the swing back in shape after a long winter. The practice tee is extremely small for the amount of usage it sees, therefore the use of mats are employed to aid in recovery, please do not step in front of the mats to hit, even though divots may not be taken, the constant turning of the feet will cause damage. Also, we have started a new initiative, promoting a lineal divot pattern, the lineal divot pattern uses space effiecntly and promotes recovery utilizing the vegetative ability of the Turfgrass plant. Signs are posted in the Proshop and on the practice tee.

For more information about the Grounds Operation please follow us on Twitter, or take a peak at the Blog at www.hydeparkgolfandcountryclub.blogspot.com

Regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

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Grounds Update

The grounds staff have been very busy with over the past month with much to do on the grounds of Hyde Park. Some of the activities the staff have been involved with include:

• Tree Pruning across the golf course, roughly 10 percent of the "in play" tree inventory will be addressed. Pruning is very important for tree health, playability and safety. An outside contractor conducts the pruning while our staff cleans debris behind. This process has been ongoing for the last 4 weeks.

A View from the left side of the 2nd hole

• Cold temperatures mean that the zoysia can be at risk with standing water freezing and causing damage to the plant. Long-term, added drainage will aid in reducing the risk. In the short, use of squeegees to remove water are helpful tools.

 

Regrading of area below 15 green

Below the 15th green this area was an old dump site for debris in the late 90's as the materials decompose small sink holes open up and can be a safety hazard. The staff recently, regraded this area to address the sink holes. This short-term fix will address the safety issues, however new drainage will be added in the future to move water from this area. The area has be seeded and straw will be added in the spring.

• Non- selective herbicide applications to the fairways are being completed to reduce/ eliminate cool season grasses such as Annual Bluegrass.

It is hard to believe that spring is just around the corner, in most years we are mowing the putting greens by St. Patrick's Day. We will see if this trend will continue.

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Thanks,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

 

 

 

 

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Grounds Update

The staff continues to move forward but at a slightly slower pace due to the seasonal fluctuations in staffing and Mother Nature has created some cooler wet conditions. With the guidance of golf course architect Tim Liddy, the Hyde Park Grounds staff finished all renovations/zoysia grass conversions on the approaches 4,6 and 8.

4 before

After

These renovations will enhance playability, consistency, and reduce expenses with fewer inputs, utilizing Zoysia grass. The 6th hole will also offer new shots utilizing the natural contours and fairway mowed short grass off of the bank directly behind the green.

6 before

6 after

The Zoysia grass will take roughly a full season to look and play the same as the existing fairway grass. All new Zoysia can be played off of, but please refrain from driving carts on the new sod.

In the coming month, frost delays will be common and more cart traffic will be restricted to the cart paths because of the dormancy of the Zoysia grass. Zoysia grass is not growing this time of year and unfortunately, any mechanical damage from carts will not heal until next year. We will expect to restrict cart traffic on the fairways sometime in early November pending weather conditions.

The final deeptine and solid tine aeration of the greens will occur in November, allowing to fracture the compacted soil condtions deep in the profile. This process will be followed by topdressing and rolling for smoothness.

Also, beginning in early November, internal drainage will be added to greens 2,10,11 and 16. This process has been completed on 7 of the greens with excellent results, allowing for improved turf health and reducing closure times. Only one green will be closed at any one time for 2-3 days during the first two weeks of November.

 

10 green- Labor Day

2 green-Labor Day

The 11th..

For more information on the current initiatives and course conditions please follow us on Twitter @pobrienhpgcc Or contact us via email.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

 

 

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Zoysia grass, Dormancy and Cart Traffic

The zoysia grass continues to prepare for the winter months, the golden hue is becoming more evident. The fairways have stopped growing, in fact the last mowing was almost 3 weeks ago. Wet conditions, shade and cart traffic are the right recipe for damage to the zoysia grass. The recent wet, cool and gloomy days have not been condusive for adequate drying to occur. These limitations have left the carts on the path for most of this week. These conditions are monitored on a daily basis to determine the status of carts. This afternoon, a short trip on 13 fairway revealed that the soil conditions are still wet to allow cart traffic noted by the mud tracks from my cart. This time a year due to the length of day, angle of sun and temperatures most times a single sunny day is often enough to dry the turf out.

Heavily shaded areas on 9 and 18 and similar areas see very little sunlight this time of year. Damage from cart traffic will only enhance the chances for increased winter damage.

Please check with the Proshop or follow us on Twitter @pobrienhpgcc for the latest on projects and daily course conditions.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

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Fall is here! What does this mean for the Grounds?

The fall season is a very busy time of year for the Grounds Staff and I as we prepare the golf course for next year. Many of the agronomic practices that are occurring now will have an impact in 2015. As many have you noted we have been engaged in:

• Aerifying and seeding the roughs
• Fall fertilization of all surfaces
• Removing summer annuals and planting of fall material
• Herbicide applications to the all rough areas
• Mowing of all high rough areas and herbicide applications
• Deeptine aeration of greens in late October/Early November
• Deeptine aeration of all tees and deep vertical mowing

This time of year we shift gears slightly to project mode of enchancing the property with various small in-house projects. This year is no different with several projects planned including:

• Tee leveling and reshaping
• Bentgrass approach conversion to zoysia and enlargement of these landing areas. We are planning convert the last approach areas if holes 4, 6 and 8.

Work has begun on the approach on 4. With the help of Golf Course Arcitect Tim Liddy, the scope of the work includes:

• Enlarging and reshaping of the approach to allow for greater visibility and increasing playability for the higher handicap golfer
• Conversion from bentgrass to zoysia grass
• Slightly reshaping green to Ross design
• Clean horizon lines on the back of green to give subtle look the green is much larger then it is
• Addition of short grass closer to the bunker to add greater challenge

Here are a few photos of the work thus far and a Ross sketch of the 4th green

Original Shape of Green

Before

New shape of green and approach, clean horizon line at back of green, almost ready for Zoysia!

 

Continuing this fall, drainage will be added to another 5 greens. After the next 5 greens are completed this will 6 greens left to drain. This process has and will continue to improve the consistency and health of the playing surfaces, please stayed tune for details.

Speaking of putting surfaces I wanted to pass a reminder along to fix you're ball marks (pitchmark) and any other ball marks that have been missed. The below graphic shows how to fix a ball mark properly, a properly fixed ball mark will allow the turf to heal extremely quickly and not leave an unsightly scar.

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Grounds@hydeparkcc.com or follow us on twitter @pobrienhpgcc for the latest updates on the grounds.

 

 

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Summer is here at Hyde Park!

The grounds of Hyde Park are buzzing with activity, the Grounds staff and I are engaged with many projects and daily maintenance. A couple key projects that continue to move forward are:

• Last of the zoysia plugs and sod in weak areas will be compete this week. All of the sod requires a little more attention; added water, sand and fertilizer to enhance the playability
• The fan located near the 3rd green has been placed and is operational. The fan will remain mounted all year round and covered during the winter months.

 

Great job by staff!

High rough renovation on 4 hillside will begin with multiple applications of Round-up followed by seeding of fine fescues right of the forward tee on 4. We will begin to renovate other areas of the course, in time for an early August seeding.

4 hillside- invasive weeds in background

As the summer progresses areas of the rough will thin due to tree root competition, traffic and poorly drained areas. These areas are composed of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) we will continue to work to reduce Poa and continue to innerseed desired species of tall fescue. Along the same lines as the above mentioned the Poa on the greens is becoming stressed allowing bentgrass to out compete this weed. Yellowing of Poa can be noted in some areas. In order to enhance, the putting surfaces during stress periods the greens are periodically vented, leaving small holes on the surface that are smoothed over with a couple rollings.

Drought stress Poa turf under trees

Plugs of bentgrass integrated into 7 green

Venting before rolling....

After Rolling!

We would also like to thank everyone that was able to attend Les's wine tasting/ Proshop and Grounds open house. It was a fun event, with a lot of great questions concerning operations and equipment, our staff had a great time!

Wine tasting!

If you have any questions or feedback please send us an email, or ask us on the course. For more information on course conditions or projects please follow us on twitter @pobrienhpgcc.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

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Grounds Update- Spring is here?

Even with the extremely slow start in the weather the Grounds Staff and I have been extremely busy over the winter months with snow removal and projects. The proceeding months of planning prior to the start of the season are extremely crucial in executing our strategies to enhance playing conditions and the overall experience.

With that said, the staff is close to shifting from project mode into daily maintainence. The sand topdressing applied to the greens in December to protect the plant from the cold temperatures is almost gone and daily mowing will begin soon. As of March 20th the staff continues to:

-Pick-up of debris (multiple times)

-Seeding and sodding of miscellaneous areas

-Pressurization of the irrigation system

-Applications of preememeegent herbicides

-Bunker repair from the deep frost this season

-Tennis court resurfacing

As you take a look across the golf course many of the grasses continue to exhibit many shades of brown. The Zoysia grass fairways continue to show signs of making it through the winter well, but green-up will be late this season. The greens where drainage was installed late last season (3,5,14 and 15) did not show the root growth we typically see in the winter months due to the frozen ground. Although playable, we will treat these greens a little different then the established greens, this may mean that aerifcation will be delayed on the newly drained greens until the root growth ininiates.

View of the 3rd green and sodded drain lines

Sod peeled back on 3rd green to show lack of root growth

 

Upcoming projects include:

The installation of a fan located behind the 3rd green slated to be completed in early May. Additional brush has been removed left of 3 and the addition of a fan will aid improving the air circulation across the putting surface to reduce plant pathogens and improve turf quality to enhance populations of creeping bent grass.

Red circle on the above photo denotes fan location behind 3 green

Other upcoming projects include the addition of drainage to the practice green behind the practice tee and the addition of a greenside bunker behind the 9th green that was removed decades ago.

Ross drawing of the 9th green and the return of the bunker in back

 

Everyone is very anxious to see the Spring season in full gear, although delayed, it won't be long. If there are any questions or feedback please contact us at: grounds@hydeparkcc.com or follow us on twitter @pobrienhpgcc

Regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

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