Aerification Update

The Aerification process will start on Monday February 27^th, 2012. We will start by punching holes in the “clean up laps” or “edges”. This will consist of making 1 pass (48 inches wide) around the inside edge of the green followed by cleanup, fertilization and topdressing.

The main reason we have decided to go a week in advance on the edges is for turf quality. When you aerify into the “clean up lap” and the holes are not filled with sand there is always a chance for turf damage. Once the holes are filled with sand the turf becomes stable and can handle the second pass. This will also allow us to focus on some of our trouble spots (mound #17, walk on #6 and mound #5) and add any soil conditioners or amendments that will help promote better root development.  The following Monday March 5^th we will continue the aerification with the “middles” of the greens. We have already increased our fertilization program to help ensure a reasonable recovery. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

If you have any questions email

Kyle Macdonald

kmacdonald@valleycrest.com

Aerification is right around the corner

(Everyone thinks the Superintendent is Evil for even mentioning the word AERIFICATION)

This spring we have one major aerification scheduled for March 6^th and 7th, a few supplemental small solid tine aerifications through the summer and the DryJect after Mens Member-Guest. The solid tine aerifications and DryJect will have minimal disruption on ball roll and speed but will be an extra step toward healthy greens. Aggressive aerifications will cause less disruption on the course during the peak season while still achieving proper maintenance practices. The biggest question during this time is “How long until the greens are good?” That is a difficult question to answer because dealing with nature has a lot to do with temperatures.  We will be aggressive with fertilizer to help speed recovery and to promote health. If the greens are healthy going into the aerification phase and the temperatures are favorable, they should recover in a few weeks.  Just remember if you skip or skim on aerification you will pay the price in June, July and August. These are small interruptions that will pay off come spring and summer. We will have a lot more information and photos as we start this Springs Aerification.

Thanks,

Kyle Macdonald

(Below is an example of Aerification holes)

Time to prune Crape Myrtles

A staple of Landscaping in Georgia is the Crape Myrtle, this tree flowers in the summer and has a unique exterior (bark). This plant can be used either as tree form or shrub form. At St Ives we have the Crape's mainly as tree form, which requires pruning to keep the proper shape. Pruning back crapemyrtles in late winter promotes lush new growth in the spring. Flowers are produced on current season's growth so flowers develop even after such severe pruning. Now is the time to prune back your Crape's if you have them in your landscape. 

Spraying Pre-Emergent !

The "Spray Team" getting ready to start putting down our Post/Pre Emergent herbicide application. This is a 2 step process: the first step is to spray hawk (walk spray) the Greens Surrounds, the second step is to  use the large spray booms to treat the bulk of the golf course.

Why do we apply a Post and Pre Emergent herbicide at the same time?

The Post Emergent herbicide kills the Poa (annual bluegrass) you currently see on the golf course; while the Pre Emergent herbicide creates a barrier to block Goosegrass, Crabgrass, Nutsedge and broadleaf weed seeds from germinating this spring and summer.

To have a clean (weed free) golf course, it is necessary to treat just off the edge of your greens. However, Post Emergent Herbicdes can damage the bent grass greens, so we use a shield to protect the green from any mist/drift of the spray. This allows us to get the herbicides right next to the greens which in turn will kill the existing Poa and prevent weed germination in the spring and summer.

The "Spray Team" is a 3 man job (Scott Stiener, Fernando Plata and Juan Rameriez) and is labor intensive, but you cant deny the results! Here's to a clean (read weed free) spring and summer!

Rainy Days.....

We have seen a lot of rainfall since the middle of December in Johns Creek. It has actually been 6 inches of rain, which is great for the golf course, rivers, lakes and streams. However, it does make play a little slow. We have been "cart path only" on quite a few occasions over the last couple weeks. I want to stress the importance of following cart traffic rules during wet periods. The bermuda turf is dormant now and can not recover when damaged, so it is imperative that we do not cause any damage to the turf. To battle an age old misconception, the maintenance staff gets no enjoyment from making the course "Cart Path Only". We are only trying to protect your (the members) golf course.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me.

Updated Clubhouse Landscaping

A big round of applause for  Eddie Melendez our Landscape Superintendent. He just completed the new landscaping project on the right side of the clubhouse and it looks excellent. The landscape staff removed old overgrown hollies and replaced them with Crape Myrtles,  Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Roses and Gardenias. This gives the clubhouse fresh-clean look, which should really "pop" during the summer.

CHANGE IN TEE SHEET THIS WEEKEND!

 

Dear St Ives Members,

Due to the projected warmer weather forecast for this weekend, it has been decided to cancel the Saturday and Sunday shotguns and proceed with double tee times.  If you already have a scheduled spot in the shotgun, the golf staff will do its best to position your group as close to the tee times you normally play.  If you have a special request, please call the golf shop as soon as possible and they will try to accommodate your request.

If you already have a time scheduled on Saturday or Sunday you will receive a cancellation notice as we rebuild the tee sheets.  Once the new tee sheets are built, you will receive a new tee time confirmation with your actual tee time.


Thank you,

Billy Jack
Head Golf Professional