Fallen pine #2

The 15 mph winds and saturated soil from all rain this week just took down this pine on 2 fairway.

Bunkers washing after Mother Nature's 1.25 inches rainfall

            As with almost everything we do on a golf course, there are some limitations Mother Nature being the Biggest!! There was more heavy rainfall February 26 1.25 inches yesterday causing more bunker washing. The already saturated soils from the rainfall on February 22 of 1.22” and February 23 of 1.29” added to the major washing you see in the pictures.

The major cause of the washing is from the steep slopes and faces collecting the rain fall and funneling it into the bunkers.  Although the repairs were made this morning after the rain stopped it is very labor intensive for the crew which has to shovel and hand rake all 61 bunkers.
Seasonal Summary Rainfall

	Last 7 Days	30 Days	60 Days	180 Days	1 Year
Precipitation (in)	3.90	9.30	11.24	11.24	11.24
Number of Rain Days	4	13	23	23	23
Avg. Maximum Temperature (°F)	56	58	58	41	36
Avg. Minimum Temperature (°F)	36	35	37	34	33
Average Temperature (°F)	46	46	47	37	35
4 in. Soil Temperature (°F)	47	48	49	38	35

 Steep slopes fingers and faces. 

Bunker washed After 1.25 "

Before

After  the Crew Shoveled and Raked

Before then after

Shade VS Turf = Tree Removal

 So why were the trees removed on the 4^th hole?

Shade not only influences the amount of light available for plant photosynthesis but also affects light quality. Shaded Bentgrass greens are usually more succulent and commonly have a poor root system. These circumstances and a decline in photosynthesis, combined with frequent low mowing and nearly constant traffic, make it difficult to maintain healthy creeping Bentgrass on greens that shade.

            As you can see by the shade in the pictures of 4^th green at Creek Club it receives very little morning sun.  During our winter months the 4^th greens is the last green to thaw from frost.  The 4^th green didn’t receive full sun till noon and then it was back in shade soon there after.  We took the simplest remedy to shade by simply removing the trees.   Kevin O’shea the head horticulturist for the golf courses contracted Precision Tree Service. They completed the project in one day!

  At the very least, it is critically important that greens receive as much direct sunlight as possible.  In the pictures below you can see the time line of before tree removal and the next day after tree removal photos.

Taken at 10:20

Taken at 9:45 am  Wow! 

Topdressing greens

Tom topdressed greens this morning and the guys put out some Gypsum and Potassium.  The weather forecast  calls 100% rain tonight.

The Creek Club is in State Rankings February 2013 issue of Golf Digest magazine, The Creek Club  Golf Course is ranked #20 in the state of Georgia in the "Best in State" rankings.  

Winter Projects

Painting Bridges 

Painting Walk bridge on #3

Adding Rip Rap under bridges 

Finished Rip Rap

Finished Rip Rap