Last weeks update....

Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

October 31^th, 2013

Happy Halloween!

The disease from last week has been controlled and the greens are starting the recovery process.  The cooler temperatures coupled with the fact that MiniVerde is a warm season turfgrass means the recovery will be slow, however, the damage will only be cosmetic/aesthetic.  A fertilizer tank was applied to the greens on the 30^th, which will promote new growth.  Last week we applied a pigment to the tee boxes and fairways, which will help the turf hold its color longer into the fall and winter. The goal is to have a sharp contrast between the fairways and the roughs. A second application is scheduled for next week.

The pump station is back online after the pressure reducing valve was installed last week.

 The Maintenance staff is working on detailing beds around the course and increasing bunker maintenance.  The Driving Range Tees (DRT) were also sprayed with a foliar fertilizer tank on the 29^th to encourage a vigorous stand of ryegrass before the cold weather sets in.  Next week we will re-seed the entire tee box to increase our seed bed. Please follow the “mats only” signage so that we can utilize the turf as far into the winter as possible.  I have also attached a few photos of the proper way to take a divot on the DRT.

Preferred Divot Pattern

 This picture is the average divot pattern at St Ives.

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