Major Sodding is Done

Yesterday we finished up the major sodding of the greens including some edge sod we put on green such as 4, 5, 8, 1 and 17.  Additionally, we finished the bunker project that was requested by the Board by finishing the back right bunker on 11.  The last project planned for the the summer is the DR tee expansion which is in progress.  Does this mean that we aren't going to address other bunkers ... no.  This just means that we are finished with the formal requests and if time permits we may or may not address other bunkers ... first is to get the golf course through transition and ready for the upcoming aerification.

Starting on Monday we will be aerifying the roughs all week along with Thatch Mastering the hot spots in the fairways.  This Thatch Master will address to the ever dying ryegrass by removing the "matting" of the dead rye thus allowing the bermudagrass to fill in its place.  So far 40 - 50% of the ryegrass in the fairways and surrounds has died and over the next couple of months the remainder of the rye will die ... the worst is still to come.

What do you mean you may ask ... "the worst is yet to come" ... well every year when the ryegrass dies around the green (which it will) ever member here gets that feeling that the whole golf course is "unplayable" and a dog track.  Of course this isn't true but that will be confided to me over and over via the members here all summer.  Rest assure once it happens, and it will happen, we will address it immediately and swiftly.

Yesterday I heard two or three interesting things that I would like to clear up.  First, I heard I close the golf course for 3 weeks every summer ... the plain truth is that I close the golf course for a total of seven days or 1 week ... four day in June (use to be three in year's past but with combining it with the drill and fill it became four), and three days in August.  That is two weeks less closing than the perception.  Second, that every other golf course in town isn't experiencing transition ... every one that was named to me I saw last week and they all are in transition (some better, most worst).  Last, that I control the show ... I wish (joking).  Since some of the summer guest who want to play the back nine instead of playing behind anyone and the fact that this is not allowed this MUST be Jeff daring to tell the members what to do.  Well the truth is the summer play plan brought by the Golf & Green Committees and approved by the Board both standing and past, was mandating how and what they expected from the maintenance department  for the enjoyment of all ... not Jeff's personal agenda.

Any member who whats to play a unprepared golf course and have the potential to get wet from irrigation ... go ahead.  All I ask is to not slow the crew from preparing the golf course for other summer members enjoyment, and do not put my team in harm's way.