(triplexed greens cut at .095")
July 2011 Roots
Proper management of Bentgrass in Southern California can yield dense, deep roots. These photos were taken today, July 21st, on the thirteenth green. Bring on the heat....
New VFD Installation
The newest component to the irrigation system is a V.F.D. for one of the 75 horsepower pump motors. The variable frequency drive eases the electrical load on a motor when 100% demand is not required. This upgrade will save in electrical use, utility costs, and wear on the old hydraulic pipe system.
Mowing Practices
Several members have inquired about our mowing practices and frequency. The short answer is that our mowing frequency is dictated by clipping yield and varies based upon time of season. This time of the year (July) we cut the bermudagrass fairways, tees, and approaches two to three times per week. In the winter months, the Ryegrass is cut once or twice per week depending on growth rate. Consuming fuel and "burning-in" mowing patterns for aesthetics is a strain on the diminished budget and limits the man hours and energy we can devote to improvements and detail work in addition to unnecessary wear and tear to equipment. In this industry, mowing is a very under estimated mechanical stress that negatively impacts plant health.
Fairway Aerification
The fairway aerification process has begun and is scheduled to take place over the next two weeks. Thank you for your patience during this critical cultural practice.
Practice Makes Perfect
The putting green is an area of practice. It is always challenging to produce a "perfect" surface that emulates all of the greens when there is tenfold the amount of traffic and wear. The image below illustrates the impact of a golfer's dedication to his/her game by practicing putting from a particular location for an extensive amount of time. (Note the footprints)
Summer Landscape Upgrades
The summer annuals have been planted with a new addition created between the set of ladies tees on Hole #7. The old, ragged junipers were removed and replaced with some summer color and transplanted garlic plants. The new bed will not only enhance the complex, but improve the turfgrass surrounding the area by effectively removing the much taller and denser junipers, which impacted sprinkler trajectory.
The bare block wall protecting the swimming pool was enhanced by the planting of a row of 'Iceberg' roses to provide contrast and color to the long, monotonous structure.
Memorial Day 2011
Gratitude and respect to the countless numbers who have past serving this great country.
41st San Bernardino County Amateur Golf Tournament
This Sunday, Arrowhead Country Club hosted the second round of the San Bernardino County Amateur golf tournament. The final round will be held at San Bernardino Golf Club on Monday. Scott Clayton, ACC member, three time winner, and defending champion has turned professional, so there will be a newly crowned champion this year.
Defying the Odds
Three years and almost nine months later we are still managing 99.9% Bentgrass greens at Arrowhead Country Club in Southern California. Industry speculators believe that this phenomenon cannot be accomplished and is not sustainable. For Greenway and it's Superintendents, it is of no surprise. In Southern California, where the seasonal time frame for poa annua establishment is long and pressure is high, most courses would be inundated with poa. The sustainability is attributed to the correct management of Bentgrass from an agronomic and cultural standpoint.
More Etiquette & Knowledge of Golf Rules
A divot on a green is not acceptable and should not be something that one would expect to see at a Private Club. I'm not sure why this happens every spring, but it is quite frustrating. Please show proper etiquette and respect to the course and our hard working staff. If you have a question regarding the rules of golf and your options when landing on a putting surface, please speak with the Golf Professionals to understand your relief.
Hole #11 Green- April 27th, 2011
Divot Repair
When filling your divots, please fill the divot level to grade and do not leave it mounded. If excess material is applied, disperse the mound with your shoe. Raised divot mix can dull the reel mowers utilized to cut the surface thus causing more stress to the turfgrass and additional maintenance.
As always- Thank you for your dedication to your course and it's upkeep, presentation, and playability.
As always- Thank you for your dedication to your course and it's upkeep, presentation, and playability.
Incorrect divot repair (mounding)
Correct divot repair (smooth and level to grade)
Vinyl Guard
Would you believe that the putting green flag sticks are as expensive as a normal size flagstick? With our flagsticks looking a little worn and tired we searched for an economical solution to improve their appearance. We purchased a product named vinyl guard and "sleeved" our original sticks. They are holding up well and look brand new. The process was quick and easy. Clean the stick, measure the length of material required, slide the material over the stick, and heat via professional heat gun to "shrink" the vinyl around the pole.
Old versus New (left to right)
Measure and Cut
Heat from bottom of stick upward and along creased edge
Another Spring- Two More Hawks
Another spring has arrived and two new additions to the ecosystem can be located high above in the Eucalyptus on Hole #10. The pair of juvenile red tailed hawks wait patiently for their parents to return with food. They are occupying the same nest that was utilized last season to harbor another pair of hawks. On many days, you can see the adults perched at the tops of the pine trees located near the tennis court.
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