Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

March 26, 2014

Hopefully, we pulled the covers on the greens for the last time Tuesday afternoon.  It was quite the experience with winds in excess of 35 mph.  Next year on one of these windy days we pull covers, we will have someone mount a “GoPro” video camera to their head; I think that will provide an up close look into what goes into covering greens in high winds.

We are currently scalping fairways, approaches, tees and Clubhouse turf.  This removes all the dead tissue that has formed during the winter.  This also opens up the canopy to allow sunlight to reach the new growth that is starting to pop.  Once we are done we will begin fertilizing the Bermuda and Zoysia grass.  The Staff also started a small project behind #9 green; say good-bye to the small goat trail through the azaleas.  The azaleas and abelia were removed; the area was graded and should be sodded prior to Friday.  Our Staff was also able to remove fans from holes 12, 13 and 14.  We only have to remove 1, 4, 5 and 6 at this point.

 

 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 

Trip to GCSAA Headquarters

A picture in front of the GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, KS. It was an honor representing the Georgia GCSAA Chapter for the 2014 Chapter Leader and Executive Symposium. 

(That's Old Tom Morris in the back ground)

Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

March 19, 2014

This has been a terrible week for maintenance work because it has not stopped raining and the sun has not been shining.  We have, however, been able to do a few projects that have been on our to-do list.  A two man crew spent all day in the creek on Monday hand digging the two sandbars that accumulate after heavy rains.  We also removed plant material at the 9^th green in order to create a bigger walkway.  Then a crew was sent to “freshen” up the walk path from #15 tees to the 14th green.

Next week is shaping up to be busy as we will start scalping the Bermuda grass, (fairways, roughs and approaches) and begin our first fertilization of the year.  The Agronomy Department cannot wait until we break out of this “never-ending” winter. 

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 

Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

March 6, 2014

Here are a few bullet points from this week down at the Agronomy Department.

The greens were lightly top dressed and brushed on Monday. This will help fill in unrepaired ball marks, reduce thatch accumulation and firm/smooth the greens surface. During the early spring this will be a bi weekly application and transition into a weekly application once the greens are actively growing. The sand will be applied at an extremely light rate, brushed and watered to minimize any negative impacts on your golfing experience.

We are getting close to finishing our PreEmergent application; it is frustrating applying this during the late winter. This should be a 5 day application that always turns into a 4 week process; it is too wet, windy, cold or raining to get the sprayer out on the course. However, we plan for the uncertainties of mother nature and start early so we can hit our timing window.

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 

Agronomy Department and Course Weekly Update

February 26, 2014

The Agronomy Department has been busy detailing the bunkers on holes #1, #4, #9, #10 and soon to be on hole #18.  The bunkers look amazing after the staff did a fantastic job correcting depths and blending the edges.  We have also pulled 3 more fans off of the greens complexes this week (holes #2, #15 and #16).  This will continue over the next several weeks as we bring the fans back to the shop and try to find buyers.

The second pre-emergent application is under way along with post emergent weed control.  As you play, you will notice some break through in the weeds, this is normal as we expect 85-90% control with the pre-emergent.  We are out spraying any of the weeds that have broken through and it takes 7-10 days before you see any discoloration of the existing weeds.

On a personal note, I have never been so excited for spring to arrive!  This winter has allowed cabin fever to set in and I can’t wait to start mowing some grass!

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 

Will this get some discussion???

I can see the traffic to the Blog, however, I never get any feedback. Maybe this post will get some chatter!

Bunkers don’t have a pampered, over-manicured appearance. They actually look like something that the golfer should avoid, which is again as it should be.

A perfect greenside bunker - its natural appearance makes it appear as if it has been there forever.

-From www.golfclubatlas.com      

Annual Flowers.... or whats left of them.....

I am sure you have seen the cold/deer damage to our annual flower beds and their lack luster appearance. I wanted to let you know our plan of action. First, we are going to repair/replant any pansies that have been hit by the deer. Second, we will re-mulch the beds and spray a foliar fertilizer. Finally, we will cover the beds with netting and spray deer repellent.  At that point we will need to exercise some patience because we are in limbo plant material wise this time of year. Summer annual stocks have not been released and the winter annual stock is basically non existent. So, we are going to have to revive/save what we have in ground. Also, if we go in and replant there is a good chance we damage the Tulip bulbs that have been installed. Eddie is also looking at ideas/options for the big pots on the patio and tennis entrance.

Kyle Macdonald, GCS, Class A