2015 Recap

 I haven't posted in a long while so I thought I would give a recap of the season.  2015 has come and is almost gone. The Zoysia turf (Fairways and Tees) had another great season.  Unfortunately we were unable to get them aerified due to unusually wet conditions.  The cool season turf (rough and greens) became weak and saturated due to the heavier than normal rainfall. Then the heat came. It was a recipe for disaster.  Because the roots were over saturated the plant failed to grow due to a lack of oxygen, and once the wet soil profiles get hot it in effect boils the plant.  The main recourse is to vent them with solid tines as much as possible during the heat stress period. Thankfully, the weather has cooperated this fall and allowed for us to get seed germination in areas that were damaged.  We also fertilized the entire course to strengthen the plant for winter.   In the fall the plant uses the nutrients to strengthen the roots, bottom growth.  When fertilizing in the spring or summer the plant uses the nutrients to produce more leaf blades, top growth. Which is why I tell homeowners, if you can only afford to fertilize one time a year make the application in the fall.  Thanks for reading, have a good Holiday Season, and come out and take advantage of this nice December weather! 

River Nine, Hole 2 behind the forward tees

Footgolf, Walking Trails, and Beavers Oh My!

Like every Spring, it is one of the busiest times of the year for maintenance at a golf course.  This year our to-do list was even bigger than normal. Here is a recap of what has been accomplished thus far... All greens have been aerified, vertical cut (removes thatch and dead turf), fertilized (several times), and received a pre-emergent to prevent goosegrass and crabgrass. All other turf on the course also received a pre-emergent and fertilizer.  Added to our list this year was the installation of 9 more footgolf holes on the Hill Course.  These 9 new holes will be used primarily for leagues, birthday parties, or other special events.  Yes, you read that correctly, HOA now has a total of 27 footgolf holes on property.  In addition to adding this new course we made a trail through the timber that will allow for a quicker and more scenic route.  The 18 main footgolf holes also received a little face-lift. Our goal was to be a certified footgolf course again this year.  To become certified the American Footgolf League (AFGL) has hole distance regulations.  Par 3's are now required to be 98-167yds, Par 4's 187-247yds, and Par 5's are 267-327yds.   In order for us to accomplish these yardages we had to move a few holes.  For example 18 now finishes by the clubhouse.  Also, all 27 holes now have tee podiums that hold a map inside to show the hole layout.  To top off this post I added a photo of a tree that has been getting damaged by a beaver.  We have a total of 3 trees he has been targeting.  Our solution was to wrap the tree with chicken wire fencing, and it has proven to be successful!   

New tee podiums with Hole descriptions and yardage

18 Footgolf Green

New walking trail to the Hill Course

Dam Beaver Damage

Chicken wire fence to protect the tree

Winter Painting Projects

When the weather outside is frightful...We head inside to paint! Below are some before and after photos of the Rock Nine Tee signs. Also, all ballwashers, garbage cans, tee markers, enter and exit posts, and benches get a fresh coat of paint.