August at Swope

 Summer's fading days

(It's a beaut, Clark!)

The end is finally in sight, and what a month it was to get here. August was brutal. The first and only rainstorm of the month, that has affected us, is happening as I write this on the 31st, and what a sweet sound it is. The course was beyond crispy, and our mental states were burnt out. Any precipitation we receive not only hydrates the turf, but helps our spirits. When mother nature gives us a break, we welcome it with open arms. August in its entirety was plain hot. A cool hour or two in the morning was soon forgotten as the temperatures rise to more than 90 day after day, making for a brutal afternoon. During stints of heat like this, its strictly survival mode. We mow in the morning and throw water every afternoon, a process when repeated for 20 plus days can wear a man down. To bring this paragraph full circle, this rain is a damn god send.

(Peaceful morning before the afternoon heat.)

(A normal afternoon view of hand-watering greens.)

Changing it up, we got rid of two eye sore tree's on the periphery of holes 10 and 18. These trees were monsters; tall, wide, and deader than Thomas H. Swope. Because of their size, we had to bring in an independent contractor. SAFETY Tree Service out of Overland Park got the job done in two days, leaving nothing behind but tire tracks and wood chips. 

 

(Before.)

(During.)

(After.)

September is welcomed with open arms. Cooler weather, shorter days, and football; there really isn't anything more to say.

Except....

Fix your divots.