We put a HEX on 7 Blue Green

The two main challenges with maintaining the back edges #7 Blue Green are shade and traffic pattern.  Morning sunlight if critical for sustained turf vigor and quite frankly we were allowed to remove as many trees as needed during the CRI project.  The traffic wear is a result of the exit point from the back of the green to the cart path.  Repairs were made utilizing our turf nursery and a hex plugging tool. Hex plugs allow us to repair the area completely by puzzling the pieces together without gaps.  Although more labor intensive to install, plugs perform better than sod during this time of year due their increased root mass.  In a few weeks these plugs will blend in with the rest of the
putting surface.

Repair In Progress

Turf Nursery  Between 1R & 9W

STAIRWAY TO SEVEN

Led Zeppelin would be proud!

After a delay from the sod farm, we have completed the Stairway to Seven.  

The grading and sod installation wrapped up just in time for a nice soaking rain.  This stairway will provide a much safer descent from the back of the green to the cart path. One thing to keep in mind, is that we will have much more wear and traffic on the back of the green as golfers exit.

DAY 1

FINISHED PRODUCT

A View from the Rough

I want to update you with a spring “state of the course” report and address an issue I see currently affecting your golfing experience.  The golf course has received numerous complements since the start of the season but one subject has been consistent from most members I speak with -  ROUGH!

“The rough is too thick”

“I can’t find my ball”

“Have you raised the height of cut?”

And my favorite – “do you hate us?”

Allow me to give you a brief history of our rough.  When I first started at ANCC 20 years ago, the rough was just that – ROUGH.  It was sparse and inconsistent and the desired turf was bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.  These two varieties do not thrive in our Mid-Atlantic summers and are disease prone.  In 2005, I changed our management practices to promote tall fescue.  This included spring/fall aerification and over seeding along with an aggressive organics program to help modify the poor soil.  The height of cut has remained consistent since that time.  The result is what you see today, thick healthy turf that can withstand more environmental stress.

The unintended consequence however is a difficult spring golfing experience.  It bears repeating that we have NOT ‘raised the mowers’ as some have suggested.  Nonetheless, based on generally improved turf stand and conditions, the rough has become too penal and we will be making an adjustment to the height of cut (HOC) until summer temperature take hold.  Depending on the weather patterns, I will raise the height back to current standards in order to maximize plant health and playability. 

  

NOT AN OVERNIGHT PROCESS

Lowering the HOC will take 7-10 days.  Starting on Monday May 18^th the HOC will be lower and clippings will be abundant.  Clipping removal is labor intensive and will take priority over other maintenance activities during this time.  

WEEDS

All maintained turf has been treated with a pre-emergent herbicide application made in early April.  The coverage and timing has been good and I don’t see significant crabgrass breakthrough.  It is designed to last until we over seed fairways in September.  Post-emergent broadleaf weed control will continue as needed.

NATIVE AREAS

Weed control in these areas has been the highest priority yielding a much cleaner look.  Multiple applications have been made and will continue.  As they have matured, some have become too penal and just don’t fit the landscape. These will be modified or removed.  Last season we removed the native grasses between the fairway and #7 Blue Tee and seeded to Tall Fescue.  Although still tough, the golfer now has a chance to advance the ball.  

PRIORITIES

Exceeding Member Expectations

Continue to raise the bar on course conditions.

Native Areas – Weed control and trimming to promote clean appearance. Modify selected areas to promote pace of play and golfing experience. 

Sincerely,

Carmen A. Giannini, Jr.

Golf Course Superintendent

THE BLOG IS BACK!

After a long hiatus, the BLOG is back!

Over the past year my postings have declined due to time constraints and that I've been helping some of my colleagues start their own blogs.  

I'M BACK!

My goal is provide informative content on a consistent basis and not bombard you with filler.  Many have requested the return of the "Week in Review" videos so you will see my smiling face soon.