JUNE 2014

June is undoubtedly the most challenging month for maintenance of the golf course.  We've already exceeded June's historical high with a high of 105 on the first Tuesday of the month.  These record high temperatures force the turfgrass to respire using up carbohydrate reserves to cope with summer stress.  These weather conditions pose an even greater challenge for our course in particular because our turfgrass is predominately cool-season.  Cool-season turfgrass growth tends to diminish as temperatures rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In order to adapt to the changing seasons and weather patterns, our fertility and watering practices must change.  Since the beginning of 2014, it is our goal to prepare the turfgrass for the extreme weather conditions we have in the summer time.  To explain it in the most simplistic way, we focus on growing a strong healthy grass that is fertilized and irrigated properly, and aerated to reduce compaction and allow air into the soil.  All of these efforts are to encourage root and shoot growth which will increase the plants ability to recover from stress faster.

On another note, we continue to move forward on course improvement projects.  Our latest focus has been on re-mediating poorly drained areas around the greens.  The past four weeks, we've managed to install over 22 drains!  Our work continues with a few more areas around the course and the practice facility.  Our direction after the drains will be adjusting irrigation spacing around the greens to ensure the most uniform coverage on what is, without doubt, the greatest asset to any golf course.  

If you have any questions regarding maintenance practices on the golf course or ongoing projects feel free to email or visit our facility for help.  

Enjoy the golf course and play well,

Bo Cichuniec
Head Golf Course Superintendent