A New Threat

If the drought, poor water quality and inefficient irrigation system wasn't enough, we are now seeing a new threat in the form of Black Turfgrass Ataenius. These little buggers can be quite destructive to the poa in our fairways; feeding on the roots resulting in irregular dead patches. We will be making an insecticide application on Monday to rid ourselves of this problem.

It's hard to believe that fairways 1-5 were completed just two weeks ago. Rooting is at about 1.5" - 2" and plant density is improving almost daily. Although not to our desired height, we are mowing three times a week. Next week we will begin spiking, rolling and fertilizing to help push the grass along. Before the end of the month we hope to topdress to smooth the surface and fill the seams.

Unfortunately, the poa in some of our fairways is starting to decline due to drought, disease and salts. Try as we might, our efforts to save these struggling areas usually ends in failure as the fickle poa is too weak to recover. However, considering that we were seeing these conditions last summer in the month of June gives me a little bit of peace of mind.   

Project Update #4

We were able to get a fairway mower on the new sod yesterday, cutting holes 1-3. Although the sod came in a little inconsistent, we are seeing good rooting on all the holes and everything will even out with time. Our goal is to mow all the new fairways on Friday, opening for play Saturday. Please keep in mind that we are mowing holes 1-3 and 5 at a much higher height of cut as we allow the sod to tack-in. Once firmly established we will slowly reduce our height of cut to match the other fairways. Carts will be restricted to the paths for the next several weeks as we want to minimize wear due to traffic.

Project Update #3

West Coast Turf began to install sod on Monday (7/27). As of today, we have grassed the fairways through the third hole and are on schedule to finish Friday afternoon. A few areas in the rough (i.e. #2) will be finished by the end of the week as well. Completed holes are being watered twice during the day and once at night to keep moisture readily available to the new roots. Expect to see the new sod go a little off color for a short period of time as it acclimates to its new growing environment. I am already seeing some rooting and expect the sod to be fairly well tacked in by this time next week.

New (white) roots showing after 3 days

Project Update #2

We are in the third day of phase 1 of our Fairway Project and everything is progressing very well. Below is a photo log of the progress thus far.

Putting the final touches on #1, almost ready for sod

Hand work complete on #2 , ready for amendments

Final few passes on #3, hand work is next

Pre-strip aerification on #5

Tree #64

We removed tree #64 on Monday; a big Eucalyptus near the front right corner of the second green. It was leaning and unhealthy, and several Arborists had recommended that we have it taken out before it fell. When our Golf Course Architect, Jim Urbina, suggested that we remove it as well, we decided to make our move. Although I had some initial apprehension, I think it is a much better hole without it.

Project Update #1

Phase 1 of our Fairway Project began yesterday. The first hole is nearly complete and ready for sod, as we begin stripping the second hole. Although we have had a few minor bumps in the road, things are progressing well and I see know reason at this time that we will not be on schedule to sod next week.

Pre-strip aerification to loosen the soil

Initial pass to calibrate our working depth

1st hole nearly complete