I realize that tree removal is still a touchy issue with most Chautauquans and encourage those with questions to contact me. In past posts I've detailed why removal was necessary but it is always nice to hear this from other sources as well. In the You Tube video below, Chris Tritabaugh of Northland Country Club in Minnesota articulates this very well. Chris' blog is tagged as Northland Country Club Turfgrass Maintenance to the right of this blog as one I follow and is loaded with good information. It's worth checking out.
Monday, April 16, 2012
#6, 7 & 8 Greeen Update
The early spring weather has been great for the course as we continue to regain mid season playing surfaces on #6, 7 and 8 Lake greens. The colder weather with several frosts/freezes in the last two weeks has slowed things down considerably but we have treated these greens a little differently that the rest and they are still growing and filling in nicely. #6 is 100% back and #7 and 8 are right behind and will be back by mid May if not sooner.
I realize that tree removal is still a touchy issue with most Chautauquans and encourage those with questions to contact me. In past posts I've detailed why removal was necessary but it is always nice to hear this from other sources as well. In the You Tube video below, Chris Tritabaugh of Northland Country Club in Minnesota articulates this very well. Chris' blog is tagged as Northland Country Club Turfgrass Maintenance to the right of this blog as one I follow and is loaded with good information. It's worth checking out.
I realize that tree removal is still a touchy issue with most Chautauquans and encourage those with questions to contact me. In past posts I've detailed why removal was necessary but it is always nice to hear this from other sources as well. In the You Tube video below, Chris Tritabaugh of Northland Country Club in Minnesota articulates this very well. Chris' blog is tagged as Northland Country Club Turfgrass Maintenance to the right of this blog as one I follow and is loaded with good information. It's worth checking out.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Early April Update
It's hard to believe it is April 3rd and we're having a hard time keeping up with the mowing. Soil temps have fallen 12-13 degrees in the last week and, while the growth has slowed down, it is still going quick enough that we're having a hard time catching up. Please be patient with our mowing and maintenance schedule when things don't appear to be in mid season form. Keep in mind that it is only April 3rd and we usually still have snow cover at this time.
The last two days have been verticutting days for the Lake Course, getting fairways and aprons done for the first time this season. The greens have been verticut once and will be done a second time this week. In the past I haven't been happy with our verticutting on the greens. They just didn't seem to bring up much material or stand the leaf blades up like I wanted so this winter we replaced the OEM blades on our verticutters with some 2mm carbide tip blades and decreased the gap from 3/4" to 1/2". What a difference and a sense of accomplishment when we verticut compared to years past. I think you will really see a difference in the greens this season and will be thrilled with the improved putting quality and consistancy.
Also this week, we will be getting out tee markers, ball washers and tee signs, bunkers are being cleaned and raked, and the Learning Center driving range is now open.
Happy Spring!
The last two days have been verticutting days for the Lake Course, getting fairways and aprons done for the first time this season. The greens have been verticut once and will be done a second time this week. In the past I haven't been happy with our verticutting on the greens. They just didn't seem to bring up much material or stand the leaf blades up like I wanted so this winter we replaced the OEM blades on our verticutters with some 2mm carbide tip blades and decreased the gap from 3/4" to 1/2". What a difference and a sense of accomplishment when we verticut compared to years past. I think you will really see a difference in the greens this season and will be thrilled with the improved putting quality and consistancy.
Also this week, we will be getting out tee markers, ball washers and tee signs, bunkers are being cleaned and raked, and the Learning Center driving range is now open.
Happy Spring!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Taking Advantage of Early Spring
We've been busy taking full advantage of this year's early spring. Stick and debris cleanup is done on the Lake Course and only a couple holes remain on the Hill Course. Greens, tees and fairways have all been mowed at least twice with another cutting coming today and we will start on the rough after that. A great start to a new year!
The biggest advantage to the early start has been the continuation of last season's renovation and tree removal on #5-9 on the Lake Course. We have been able to get a good start on stump grinding and removal on #6 and should have the entire hole renovated and sodded by the end of April, a full month ahead of schedule. Other enhancements on these holes will include tee renovation and leveling and bunker renovation. If the weather holds, we will be done with this in early May.
The downside to these renovations is that the front nine of the Lake Course may be periodically closed for the safety of our staff and contractors. A small price to pay in my opinion considering there are 27 other holes to play while we are working.
I'll post pictures as they come available. In the meantime, enjoy the good weather and come out and see us.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The biggest advantage to the early start has been the continuation of last season's renovation and tree removal on #5-9 on the Lake Course. We have been able to get a good start on stump grinding and removal on #6 and should have the entire hole renovated and sodded by the end of April, a full month ahead of schedule. Other enhancements on these holes will include tee renovation and leveling and bunker renovation. If the weather holds, we will be done with this in early May.
The downside to these renovations is that the front nine of the Lake Course may be periodically closed for the safety of our staff and contractors. A small price to pay in my opinion considering there are 27 other holes to play while we are working.
I'll post pictures as they come available. In the meantime, enjoy the good weather and come out and see us.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
2012 golf team cleanup day
This winter I was contacted by Chautauqua Lake Central School's golf coach, Mike Cummings, about a spring cleanup with his team as well as the teams from Panama CS and Ripley CS coached by Ed Nelson and Justin Akin respectively.
March 17th was the date and the 18 students, 3 coaches, and my 6 year old boy had the entire Lake Course completely picked up in 4 hours. Saving the golf course several days of labor with my limited early spring crew and allowing us to spend our time on rolling, mowing and initial course set up.
I cannot thank Mike, Ed, Justin and their golfers enough for all their hard work that morning. Good luck with your golf season!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
March 17th was the date and the 18 students, 3 coaches, and my 6 year old boy had the entire Lake Course completely picked up in 4 hours. Saving the golf course several days of labor with my limited early spring crew and allowing us to spend our time on rolling, mowing and initial course set up.
I cannot thank Mike, Ed, Justin and their golfers enough for all their hard work that morning. Good luck with your golf season!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
GCSAA Green Industry Show
Finished day 2 of the 2012 GCSAA Conference education seminars.
Yesterday I took a great full day class on Physiology and Culture of Annual Bluegrass taught by Dr. Turgeon from Penn State and Dr. Vargas of Michigan State. Some of it was a reminder of what I learned in college, some of it was all new to me with some great ideas for this summer, and some was a complete 180 from what we were taught 20 years ago.
This morning was a nice seminar on Watershed Resource Management. Got some nice ideas for doing our part for the Chautauqua Lake Watershed.
This afternoon's sessions consisted of communication topics including photography and video, writing, media relations, and public relations. Good sessions.
Tomorrow and Thursday is the GIS Trade Show. I love seeing the new technology and products at the show every year. I will also be attending a few half hour seminars on the trade show floor covering golf purse related uses for the iPad and smartphones.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yesterday I took a great full day class on Physiology and Culture of Annual Bluegrass taught by Dr. Turgeon from Penn State and Dr. Vargas of Michigan State. Some of it was a reminder of what I learned in college, some of it was all new to me with some great ideas for this summer, and some was a complete 180 from what we were taught 20 years ago.
This morning was a nice seminar on Watershed Resource Management. Got some nice ideas for doing our part for the Chautauqua Lake Watershed.
This afternoon's sessions consisted of communication topics including photography and video, writing, media relations, and public relations. Good sessions.
Tomorrow and Thursday is the GIS Trade Show. I love seeing the new technology and products at the show every year. I will also be attending a few half hour seminars on the trade show floor covering golf purse related uses for the iPad and smartphones.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, February 17, 2012
Social Media in Golf Course Maintenance
As technology continues to evolve at an unbelievable pace, several opportunities begin to present themselves both in golf course maintenance and in communication. It wasn't that long ago that cell phones were gaining popularity and became more reliable. Now, with the advent of fast and reliable smartphones and tablets, this portable technology is opening doors for instant communication and updates for members and guests to find out what is happening on the course.
"Is there a frost delay?", "When can we get back on the course after aerification?", "What happened to the bunker on #6?" are all questions that can now be answered almost before they are asked. How? By following @cgcmaintenance on Twitter. To this point in time I have primarily been a "lurker", following various industry professionals and their Tweets, and deciding if this was something worth its time and effort. I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed very much worth the time and effort if used properly. I am still getting the hang of how to effectively Tweet, so please be patient as I grow with it. The first few months will more than likely be a little sparse as we battle our way through the last couple months of winter, but will pick up as the weather breaks and work starts up on the course.
What info you will get:
Project updates, weather updates, occasional green speed readings, frost updates, etc.
What info you will NOT get:
What color socks I'm wearing, what my six year old ate for breakfast, what LeBron James said, or where I'm eating lunch.
So, if you are currently on Twitter or if you are considering it, please become a follower of @cgcmaintenance and keep up on course happenings.
"Is there a frost delay?", "When can we get back on the course after aerification?", "What happened to the bunker on #6?" are all questions that can now be answered almost before they are asked. How? By following @cgcmaintenance on Twitter. To this point in time I have primarily been a "lurker", following various industry professionals and their Tweets, and deciding if this was something worth its time and effort. I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed very much worth the time and effort if used properly. I am still getting the hang of how to effectively Tweet, so please be patient as I grow with it. The first few months will more than likely be a little sparse as we battle our way through the last couple months of winter, but will pick up as the weather breaks and work starts up on the course.
What info you will get:
Project updates, weather updates, occasional green speed readings, frost updates, etc.
What info you will NOT get:
What color socks I'm wearing, what my six year old ate for breakfast, what LeBron James said, or where I'm eating lunch.
So, if you are currently on Twitter or if you are considering it, please become a follower of @cgcmaintenance and keep up on course happenings.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Rare February Sight
Here is a sight not commonly seen in Chautauqua in February. A snow free golf course.
It has been nice to see the course mid winter for a change. Everything looks good but, according to the rodent from Pennsylvania, we're looking at 6 more weeks of winter. I'm not sure what that means to us because 6 weeks would get us to March15th. We rarely get rid of the snow until the first week of April. I'm beginning to think this whole seeing his shadow thing is a bunch of hooey. The next thing you know, the Tooth Fairy will stop leaving money for teeth and the Easter Bunny will cease to exist.
It has been nice to see the course mid winter for a change. Everything looks good but, according to the rodent from Pennsylvania, we're looking at 6 more weeks of winter. I'm not sure what that means to us because 6 weeks would get us to March15th. We rarely get rid of the snow until the first week of April. I'm beginning to think this whole seeing his shadow thing is a bunch of hooey. The next thing you know, the Tooth Fairy will stop leaving money for teeth and the Easter Bunny will cease to exist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)