NEWS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

In December’s newsletter, our goal was to edge all irrigation heads, valve control boxes on the course and I am happy to report, that has been accomplished. Due to the continued growth of the greens, we are holding off until January to paint the greens, so be on the lookout for that. We will also be working on pond banks and cart path edges as well.

In January, the crew and I will be edging the bunkers and cleaning them up. Additionally, we will be evaluating the need to add sand in several bunkers and determining if we can obtain enough sand to make the bunkers more consistent with an USGA approved sand. Our goal is to have anywhere from 2-3 inches of sand in the playing areas of the bunker and 1-2 inches of sand along the side and back walls of each bunker. This will provide the necessary amount of sand to make the bunkers more playable and aesthetically pleasing.

From a chemical standpoint, late in January (weather and ground temperature permitting) we will begin the spring preemergent chemical applications to the course, which will include all low-cut playing areas as well as open rough areas between holes as well as course rough. This application is designed to minimize all summer weed types that have not germinated from being able to germinate. In October we treated the greens to prevent and or mitigate spring dead spot issues on the greens, so spring green up should be very good as the weather heats up in the spring.

Also, we will be applying a non-selective herbicide chemical to a few greens, 11, 13 and 15 specifically to eradicate the small areas of Poa Annua/Trivialis from a long-standing green overseed program. The greens were treated last winter with some success, however, some bio- genetic types were resistant to the chemical, however, we feel cautiously optimistic we will be able to eradicate it in 2023.

As usual, we will take whatever free time we have to continually, keep the course clean and as beautiful as possible. In addition to the course work, we will continue to service the maintenance equipment to insure it is ready to be deployed on the course when needed.

Have a great New Year celebration to welcome in 2023, hopefully, we will see you on the course.

Fairways and Greens,

Greg

RIP Greg, you will be missed.