New Mulch Path

As the course continues to mature from renovation, we find the need for additional pathways.
These pathways will help golfers move more efficiently and minimize maintenance vehicle traffic.
Below is a path we installed today to allow access through the native area from 3 White to 4 White forward tees.

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Disease Diagnostic Tools

Turfgrass management is an art and a science.  Today I would like to share with you the science side of disease identification of turfgrass.  Many factors are evaluated when determining the cause of turf decline or stress.

1. Turf Species (Ryegrass/Bentgrass)
2. Weather Pattern (Temps/Rain/Humidity)
3. Preventive Spray Schedule (Timing)
4. Cultural Practices (Vertical Cutting/Aerification/Topdressing etc.)

Years of experience provide superintendents with the visual first glance assessment of disease diagnosis, but the microscope is the most reliable identification method. 



Dissecting Microscope

Compound Microscope

 

We've experienced some blighting on a few fairways (1W/8W/2R) over the past couple days.  Our preventive plant protectant application was applied 10 days ago and the weather is starting to hit it's summer stride.  Today, a supplemental fungicide application was applied to these fairways to control the cause of this disease. 

 

The disease we are targeting is Bipolaris Leaf Spot.  This was confirmed by utilizing microscopic identification.

 

We will continue to treat the affected areas until total control is achieved.



 

 

 



Bug Spray Disease

Over the weekend I spotted our first disease out break.  It is not caused by a fungal pathogen and is not represented in any turf management book.  This is one turf problem that has a simple explanation: Whenever the weather is muggy and buggy, we experience an outbreak of "bug spray disease." Most golfers do not know that their insect repellent will harm turf, especially when directed at legs and ankles. The over spray usually leaves a pattern of a green footprint or footprints surrounded by straw-colored injured turf. 

 

The solution to this problem is to spray legs and ankles on a cart path or other non-turf surface where the over spray will not contact grass. Depending on conditions and the amount of spray on the grass, these spots usually recover in 1-4 weeks. In extreme cases, though, they can result in turf loss.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation

BUNKER TOUCH UP

Following construction we found some bunkers needed additional sand to improve
playability.  That's not to say the contractor shorted us during sand placement, but
the fact that settling and displacement occurs over time.  To help alleviate this issue
we have probed all our bunkers to check sand depths.  In most cases, the sand just
needed to be redistributed so that depths are uniform. 

Landing in a bunker is bad enough. We at least want you to enjoy your stay.

RED-TAILED HAWK WARNING

I wanted to issue a safety warning to all our members and guest regarding the aggressive behavior of a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks.  Between #8 White and #7 Red a pair of hawks has nested and has fledglings.  The adults are very protective of the nesting area and have attacked a few golfers.
We have roped off the area around the tree and recommend not retrieving your ball from this area.

 

Please contact the Pro Shop for a ruling.

Once the fledglings are mature enough to leave the nest for good (approx. 10 weeks from hatch), the aggressive behavior will cease.  My estimate is by the end of June.  In the meantime, please be aware when playing these holes.

 

Red-tail behavior and facts

• Red-tailed hawks are opportunistic, preying on a broad variety of animals: insects, rats, mice, squirrels, reptiles and other birds. About 75 percent of their diet consists of rodents and other small mammals. This flexibility in diet contributes to their successful adaptation to many types of ecosystems.
• Like other buteos, the red-tailed hawks hunting style allows them to expend less energy when hunting. They scan for prey from either a soaring or perched position, and then move in for the kill. For unwary prey like mice, red-tailed hawks may fly openly from perch to perch. For more alert prey, a red-tailed hawk approaches indirectly from behind the cover of trees and bushes. Then the hawk attacks quickly, and may even pursue prey over short distances.
• Plumage in red-tailed hawks is highly variable, and includes nine recognized color morphs. Generally, adult red-tailed hawks have a broad, fan-shaped tail with a red upper surface. Typically, backs and upper wing surfaces are dark gray or reddish brown, streaked and barred with lighter colors. In a lighter color phase, adult breasts are cream colored and streaked with brown. There may also be a darker band across the belly. Dark phase birds may have red or black bellies, breasts, or wing linings.
• There are nearly a dozen subspecies of red-tailed hawks; six are recognized in the US.
• When threatened by an intruder, a red-tailed hawk won't usually stay to defend its nest. They are generally shy and nonaggressive toward people, and are commonly attacked (but usually not injured) by crows, magpies, owls, other hawks and even songbirds over territorial disputes.
• The call of the red-tailed hawk is a series of long, drawn-out raspy screams. In flight, they will make a high-pitched "skeeeer;" at close range a croaking "guh-runk." Birds frequently call while soaring.
• Red-tailed hawks are monogamous and may mate for life. They make stick nests high above the ground, in which the female lays one to five eggs each year. Both sexes incubate the eggs for four to five weeks, and feed the young from the time they hatch until they leave the nest about six weeks later.