Cart Path Update

Broken sections of cart path on #"s 11,12,13,16 and 18 have been replaced. The total area is 2500 sq ft or 312 linear ft of path. Below are a couple of pictures before and after on #13. Thanks again for your patience.

Before

After

Cart Path Repairs

Beginning the week of 8/13 sections of broken paths will be repaired on #'s 11,12,13,16 and 18. If all goes well it should take 6 or 7 working days to complete. During the process dump trucks and machines hauling concrete will be back and forth many times in the work areas. We apoligize up front for any incoveniences this may cause. I'll provide you with an update next week.

Flooding Rains, High Winds and Lightning Damage!

Since midnight we have received 7.20" of rain. Debris has been scattered along creek banks and pinestraw areas have been washed. Bunkers are washed severely and will take several days to restore. Lightning struck the tree next to #3 green and a couple of large trees on #8 were blown over in the high winds. Less than 2 weeks removed from the crippling lightning strike to our irrigation system, it has suffed more damage. Constant lightning has blow many fuses and damaged on couse satellite components.The majority of our resources will used to get the course back in playable condition by the weekend.

Bunker on #9

Trees next to #8 tee

Tree hit by lighting on #3

Lightning Strike

On 7/18 a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of #18 green. I wrote a short story of the event and the damage it caused and sent it to James Spann of abc33/40. Below is the link to the weather blog that he posted it to. You may have to scoll down because of new material added periodically.

http://www.alabamawx.com/

Verticutting Greens

On Mon.and Tues. of this week greens were verticut and topdressed. Over time bermudagrass greens become so densly packed with plants that is is necessary to thin them out. By verticutting and topdressing it helps to reduce scalping, dilute organic matter, increase firmness and promote new growth. It takes about 3-4 days to return to smooth conditions and about 8-10 to completely heal. This practice is vital to maintain healthy greens.



In this pic the mower is cutting the plants that are stood up as a result of the verticutting.

Grass removed off of the putting green. 

Brushing in the topdressing. 



Strong Storms

Between yesterday and this morning two different thunderstorm complexes blew through. They brought high winds and dumped 2+ inches of rain. The results are 2 trees down at the clubhouse, 2 trees struck by lightning next to #12 cart path, scattered debris and bunkers that are washed.

Our first priority is to remove the fallen trees and clean up the debris. We are hopeful to put bunkers back together by mid week.

Green and Tee Aerification

On April 30th we began aerifying greens. I've listed the many steps below to help you understand what goes into this process from start to finish.

1. One week prior .6 of a pound of quick release nitrogen is applied. This is key as it will encourage growth when the process begin.
2. Greens were verticut 1/16" deep 2 directions following up and down the same pass.
3. Following they were aerified on a 1.6" x 2" spacing using a .480 i.d. tine.
4. Plugs are then pushed into piles and removed.
5. Greens are rolled 2 directions to help firm the surface.
6. Prior to topdressing granular forms of calcium, potassium and minor elements are applied.
7. Greens are then buried under a blanket of sand (approx.52 tons) and allowed to dry.
8. A drag brush is used to sift the dry sand into the holes.
9. Following the drag brush we will use backpack blowers to scatter the heavier areas.
10. They are then rolled 2 more times.

If we are not delayed by weather it usually take about 3 days to complete. Following the completion the greens are allowed to sit 5-7 days before they are mowed for the first time. Generally the height starts out at.125 of an inch the first few times they are mowed. Once the sand begins to get incorporated into the canopy we will begin lowering the heights down to our goal of .095 - .105.

During our closed time tees were aerified and topdressed as well. Below are several pictures of the process.



Aerifying #2

Healthy White Roots

Following Clean Up Process

Heavy Topdressing Prior To Brushing

Aerifying #14 Tee