Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

October 23^th, 2013

McAlister Tree Company has completed the tree removal for the greens renovation. However, we still have a few dead trees around the course that will be removed sometime in November.

Despite being treated with a preventative fungicide on October 9^th, the greens were infected with a disease called “Leaf Spot” last week.  A breakthough of this kind is common.  We noticed the 1st signs of the breakthrough on Oct 16^th and due to the full day of rain were unable to treat as planned on the 17^th.  Because this is a rapidly spreading disease, this delay in treatment of only one day resulted in an explosion of the disease.  We were however able to apply the necessary fungicide on the 18^th and growth of the pathogen is now under control.   I have attached a link with information on this disease if you are interested in reading more about it. (http://www.usga.org/course_care/regional_updates/regional_reports/florida/Leaf-Spot-Disease-On-Greens---December-2012/)

The greens will be retreated on the 23^rd of this month and we will add a little fertilizer to promote moderate growth.  This will allow the grass to grow out of the “purple damaged” look.  We also applied a calcium fertilizer to the greens on the 22^nd, which will help balance our soil ph.  

All seasonal flowers have been planted and we have a shipment of mulch on back order, which, when it arrives, we will use to finish the beds.  Also, the pressure-reducing valve was installed on the 21^st and will be primed and ready on the 23^rd.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kmacdonald@valleycrest.com and for more information follow us on Twitter @stivescc_vcsup and the Blog: http://vcgmstivescountryclub.blogspot.com/

See y’all on the course,

Kyle Macdonald, GCS, Class A