Course Update 11-23-15

The start of the off-season has been a wet one since the Club closed, as it has rained every week since.  However, we have been able to accomplish a lot what we expected to do during this time.

The landscape improvements at the Tennis/Swim facility is going as planned.  The old crossties have been removed and the new stone wall is well under way.  With good weather, the stone wall should be done in about 3 weeks.  After the wall is done, we will be adding irrigation followed by plant material.


Crosstie wall at the tennis facility.



New stone wall the tennis facility.

The installation of new irrigation heads around the greens has been completed.  A total of 177 sprinklers were replaced in 8 days.

Wiring new sprinkler heads.

Proper installation requires a large hole.

Completed install.

In addition to aerifying greens, we also injected sand into the root zone by way of a DryJect machine.  This process helps to reduce organic matter and also firm up the greens.

DryJect machine.

DryJect machine requires a continuous amount of dry sand.

Perfect sand injection.

Due to the rain, we have been unable to proceed with drainage work.  As a result, we have focused on a project that we can do at this time and that is leveling several tees.  As I am writing, our staff is busy finishing leveling the white tee on #3 and will then go to the brown tee on #12.

Leveling #3 white tee.

Ireland Update and Blog Info

I would like to thank everyone who has asked how my Ireland trip went.  The truth is, it was amazing!  The golf courses were outstanding and the weather was uncharacteristically sunny.  During the whole week, we had not one single day of rain which I learned was not the norm.

Baltray

Fellow Superintendents

The Island Golf Club

On top of playing great golf, I was very fortunate to meet about 20 fellow golf course superintendents and industry representatives from throughout the country.  The opportunity to network and create lasting friendships will forever make me a better superintendent and a better person.  Lynn and I are forever grateful to TurfNet, Syngenta, and the members of HFCC for giving us this great opportunity.

Lynn & I at Royal County Down

The Ladies Club at Royal County Down

Enjoying traditional Irish music

The streets of Carlingford

As I stated in last month’s newsletter, we have a lot of other projects other than #12 that we will be doing in the off-season.  In an effort to keep everyone up to date with what is going on while you are away, you can go to my golf course maintenance blog at www.highlandsfalls.blogspot.com .  I always include a lot of pictures and a short description as to what we are doing.  In addition to my updates, the blog has links to the G&G chairman and my email, our course weather station so that you can see what the weather is doing at the club, and the webcam for the croquet courts.

HFCC maintenance blog

In an effort to make information on the golf course easier for you to receive, I have added a feature to the blog that will automatically send you an email when I write an update.  On the right side of the blog add your email to the box and every update of the blog will be emailed to you.  You won't have to remember the website anymore.

Landscape improvements at the swim and tennis facility

 

Removing sand from #12 fairway bunker

"Tough Times" - Aerating Greens

Despite rainy weather, we have begun the process of aerifying  the greens and croquet courts.  While the weather is not ideal, waiting for the best conditions could be timely matter. Sometimes you just have to take what Mother Nature gives you and move on.  Kudos to our staff as they have maintained a positive attitude while working in the rain.

Aerating #2 green.

Cleaning plugs on #6 green.

There are several reasons why it is important to aerify greens on a regular basis.  First and foremost is that it alleviates compaction and loosens the soil for better water infiltration and air exchange.  Secondly it helps the soil to "breath" allowing it to expel harmful gases caused by decomposition.  Additionally, aerification removes dead plant and excessive organic matter otherwise known as thatch.  Thatch can greatly reduce water infiltration and gas exchange while also providing a breeding ground for disease pathogens.

Scooping up plugs with the core harvester.

Aerifying is one of the most important practices we do to provide for the health of the greens.  We purposely wait until after the Club closes to aerify because we understand that the Fall is the best time to play golf in the mountains.  After we finish the aerification process, please be aware that with the Club officially closed for the season, we will no longer prepare the course for regular play as we will be changing our focus to winter projects and agronomic practices.

 

Benefits of aerification



Winter Projects

  Its hard to believe that another season is nearly over and with that, we will begin a number of projects and agronomic practices throughout the course that we are not able to do during the season.  Please make a note that we will be aerifying greens starting on Monday October 26^th.  This will take a couple of days so long as we have good weather.  If we have inclement weather during this time, we will start aerifying on the first available day that the weather is conducive for this process.

Greens aerification

Cleaning up aerification cores.

  Starting in November, we will begin a major drainage project on the 12^th fairway.  Two large corrugated steel drainage culverts that cross the fairway that will be replaced with plastic ones.  The new culverts are designed to last over 100 years.  In addition to replacing these drainage pipes, we will be stripping the turf off the entire fairway so that we can install “Turfdrain” and also level the fairway.  The work we do will solve most of the drainage problems on this hole, but there is the possibility that not all areas will be able to be drained thoroughly.  This is a very hard hole to drain as there is not enough topsoil in some areas and we need at least 1 foot to install effective drainage.  Even with the difficulty of this project, I am confident that the fairway on #12 will be many times better than it is now. 

Turfdrain needs to be 4 feet deep to be most effective.

Our large trencher has no problem digging 4 feet in dirt, but rock is a problem.

   Another major undertaking this winter will be the installation of new sprinkler heads around all the greens.  The sprinkler heads around the greens are over 15 years old and their efficiency has declined significantly through the years.   Additionally, parts for the old heads are no longer made so the decision to replace them was an easy one.  Our staff will be replacing approximately 170 sprinkler heads around the greens starting in November.  The new heads are far more efficient than the older ones and are more robust in their build quality.

The new irrigation heads for around our greens is the Hunter 885.

  Replacing the crossties and installing rock walls around the swim and tennis facility is another project that will be done this winter.  While this project is going on, we will be installing irrigation around the facility in addition to improving the landscaping.
  In addition to the aforementioned projects, there are many other small projects that will be done this winter that include tree trimming and under-brushing, cart path repair, erosion control and repair, supplemental irrigation installation, equipment renovation and maintenance, along with numerous agronomic practices.

Aerification of fairways will take place during the off-season.

Aerification plugs.

Verticutting of fairways will also take place in the off-season.

  With the season quickly coming to an end I hope that everyone has enjoyed the course.  Overall, this year has been a great year for golf.  As always, thank you for your continued support. 

Slit Seeding the Rough

During the past couple of weeks our staff has been overseeding the rough with improved varieties of turfgrass. Overseeding is the planting of grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf or the soil. It's an effective way to fill in bare spots, improve the density of turf, and establish improved grass varieties.

 

Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into the rough can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions, and heavy traffic. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water, and pesticides required. Additionally, the new varieties of turfgrass offer better playability along with improved aesthetics and plant health. 

 

Seeding with the Turfco TriWave

The method that we use to overseed is 'slit-seeding' with a mechanical seeder. This is the best method for overseeding established turf. Slit-seeders have verticutting blades that cut through the thatch layer and open up a slit or miniature furrow. While there is some disturbance to the existing turf, it is minimal and the benefits far out weigh the alternative of doing nothing at all. The seeder drops seed into the slit to ensure the seed gets into the soil where it can germinate. More seed-to-soil contact means a higher germination rate and a better stand of new grass.

In the Highlands area, late summer or early fall is the best time to overseed as soil and atmospheric temperatures are most favorable for optimum seed germination and growth. With adequate moisture, fertilizer and sunlight, the new seedlings will be well established before the cooler fall weather sets in. 

Germination after 1.5 weeks

Germination after 2.5 weeks

Germination after 3 weeks

We appreciate your patience while we work to improve the course and as always, thank you for your continued support. 

Davis "Bodell" Wilson Receives Scholarship

One of the great joys in my job is recommending a deserving staff member for the Highlands Falls Country Club Employee Scholarship Program.  This year I was fortunate to nominate Davis Wilson for this prestigious award.

Davis has been with HFCC for about 9 months and has proven to be a dedicated and loyal employee with a very positive attitude.  He starts the day with a smile and ends the day with a smile, no matter how challenging the day might be.  He has proven to be a quick study in course maintenance and has earned the respect of the entire staff for his hard work and honest character.  For these reasons and more, the scholarship committee has awarded Davis $500 for his continuing education.

Davis receiving his scholarship check from General Manager, Jason Macaulay

In October, Davis will be embarking on an intensive Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course with a specialization in wilderness medical training.  Davis hopes to use this training to become a world-class wilderness guide.

Davis "Bodell" Wilson

We all wish Davis the very best and know that he will be very successful.

A Diverse Staff at HFCC

The quality of the golf course and maintenance operations are the highest priority to the maintenance staff at HFCC. To achieve and maintain top conditions takes a lot of hard work and forward thinking by everyone on the staff. And what a staff we have!

Assistant Golf Course Superintendent Josh Cantrell has been with HFCC for almost 7 years.

Our crew comes from all over the country and throughout the world. We have staff members from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Mexico, and even Vietnam.

The staff perform a variety of jobs throughout the week.

Managing such a diverse work force has its challenges, but the rewards far outweigh those challenges. One of the biggest advantages has been a broader range of perspectives and solutions to various issues. I am continually amazed at how each employee looks at a situation, and through their own distinct cultural experiences, will make a unique suggestion that ultimately help us make
better decisions.

Always popular - hand raking bunkers.

Our staff is also very well educated. In addition to our management staff, who are all college graduates, all of our Vietnamese staff are in the process of acquiring various degrees in agriculture from Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture. As part of their work visa and continuing education here in the U.S. we are helping them learn more about turf management and agriculture. This visa program has been a huge success to our maintenance operations and I look forward to using it again in the future.

Hand watering is always necessary throughout the course.

Highlands Falls Country Club is a unique and exceptional place, due in part, to its unique and exceptional staff. We are all proud to serve the membership and look forward to many more successful years at Highlands Falls.

The A-TEAM!