HFCC Golf Course Staff Perform Community Service

Every year, the HFCC golf course maintenance staff performs a community service project aimed at helping the Highlands community.  This year our staff put its expertise to work at the Kelsey Hutchinson park.  Several large trees and many smaller ones needed removed from the park so that an old building on the property could be removed to make way for additional green space.  Park Founder chairman Nick Bazon was very thankful to all the members of Highlands Falls for donating the staff and equipment to get the work done.

In addition to removing the trees, the staff also cut and split the wood for the Emergency Council of Highlands.  The firewood will be given to needy families for heating in the winter.

Splitting firewood

Removing a fallen tree

Cutting a tree with the help of our loader

Site plans for the Kelsey Hutchinson Park

Fun at the Greens & Grounds Open House

I would like to personally thank everyone who attended the very successful Greens & Grounds Open House yesterday afternoon. We had over 70 people in attendance and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing the operation with so many of you. I hope it left you with a better of understanding of what it takes to manage the Club's largest asset and the confidence that we manage it properly. Here are some pictures of our fun event.

Harry Young is all smiles!





Barbara Corcoran takes on "GOLFZILLA"

Even Jason decided to take on "GOLFZILLA"

The crew cooks for the members

Janie Wilson is all smiles as Equipment Manager Aaron Brown looks on

Tom Stribling is a pro on the mini-excavator

Algae in the lakes and ponds

Algae are a source of food and energy for fish and other lake organisms and a vital part of all lakes. However, sometimes we get too much algae in our lakes and the resulting algae mats occur.  So how does this happen?

Algae in the lake bottom

Algae in the ponds and lakes have been more widespread than in previous years due to less oxygen transfer and less large rainfall events.  Rain tends to be a good dilution factor for temperature variations and is also an oxygenator for the ponds and lakes.  Most algae do not form in moving water.  So when we have heavy rain events, the algae does not form because the water from all the creeks increases the water velocity in the lakes (remember all of our lakes are dammed creeks and rivers).  Additionally, the fast moving water mixes and oxygenates the water which also discourages algae.

Algae in #17 lake

While the amount of algae in our lakes is considered to be minor, it is nonetheless unsightly.  We have tried to remove the algae by hand but that has turned out to be an exercise in futility as the algae just grows back in a few days.  We have also tried to use chemicals to kill the algae.  While that has worked to some extent, we are limited in how much can be applied since the water is used for irrigation and the chemicals can also kill grass.  Our best option is to let Mother Nature do her thing.  As fall has arrived, the cooler temperatures will take care of the algae on its own and naturally.

Golf Course Maintenance Open House - Thursday October 2nd, 3:30pm

Dividing Perennials

Even though its mid September, we are already preparing for some winter projects.  As you travel throughout the course, you will notice that the landscape beds are a little bare.  This is because we have begun to dig up all the perennials so that we may divide them and use them in other places throughout the course.  While our landscape beds are designed to be "low" maintenance, it does not mean they are "no" maintenance.  If left alone, the plants would get too large and would actually begin to thin out.  This is actually part of our normal maintenance program and is done every 5-7 years.

Removal of ornamental grasses at #2 green.

Ornamental grass clump that will be divided into 4 separate plants.

The reason for starting this now is so that it is easier for us to identify the plants after they are dug up.  After we clean out the beds, we will be reorganizing the plantings so that the landscaping looks its best for next season. 

#2 landscape bed after the perennials have been removed.

 

2014 Superintendent's Revenge

A good time was had by all at the 10th annual HFCC Superintendent's Revenge Tournament.  Our 2014 Champions was the team of Ernie & Joyce Franklin and Bill & Carol Miller.  Here are some pics of the fun day.

Sand Pro races



Putting with a canoe paddle

Playing with a tennis ball and just a few obstacles

Fun with friends!

2014 HFCC Superintendent's Revenge Champions

Kyllinga

  Many of you may have noticed brown spots in the fairways and the rough.  These brown areas are dying kyllinga.  Kyllinga is a very invasive weed that is part of the sedge family and until a few years ago, was extremely difficult to remove.  With today's herbicide technology, kyllinga is not that hard to get rid of, however the herbicides do discolor the turf.   While the discolored turf is a bit unsightly, it is short lived and the turf regains its color after a week.  Unfortunately there is no way around the discoloration. 

Kyllinga in a fairway

  Kyllinga is not an easy weed to spot because it looks similar to many other grasses, and allowed to grow, will spread throughout the course including fairways, tees, and even greens.  Since kyllinga thrives in wet conditions, this seasons wet weather has made this weed more problematic.

Kyllinga up close