Rope & Stake Reduction

We started last week and hopefully should finish this week reducing the amount of ropes and stakes around the golf course.  The one critical aspect to this reduction and the health and safety of our turf is to take the path less driven and SCATTER.  The quick and short route can lead to damage within one to two days as evident on holes such as 1, 2, & 14 to name a couple.  So please help us maintain fantastic course conditions and drive somewhere where no one else has.

Wear Patterns Near 12's Tee

This reduction in ropes and stakes will greatly aid in our maintenance of the roughs.  And with the weather pattern we have been in for the past three weeks of 10 degrees greater than normal temperatures the roughs have been growing faster than we can mow.  The good news is the weather is cooling back down this weekend which will allow us to catch back up and stay ahead of the turf.

13's Green -- What A Beautiful Day

Additionally, reducing the ropes and stakes will free up a person who now spends a greater part of the day just shifting the ropes to reduce wear patterns and keeping the ropes out of the mowers way.  This means that we can focus this time towards detail items.

On this Friday we will be pouring the concrete on the new path going from the road and tee to the bathroom on 5.

No More Photos for a Bit (Updated 12-6-12)

The last couple of posts you may have noticed I have been unable to post any photos.  Well for now this is true since I have utilized all of the space given in the hard drive of the blog.  I have e-mailed them to discuss options and hopefully soon will be able to post pictures soon.

Today, we are foliar applying fertilizer to the fairways to promote growth and fill in.  Also slated for this week we have another granular fertilizer application and some spot seeding in traffic worn areas and just in weak areas in general.

Yesterday, Mr. Clapper, the Green Committee chairman, and I drove the golf course and discussed a few issues and concerns.  The first issue has been the abundance of bees in the carob trees.  Recently, on holes 9 and 14 the carob trees have been a "buzz" with bees feeding on the blooms.  Bees like humans like the chocolate flavors that come from the carob trees but thankfully they are posing no harm at the present moment.  Second concern was the weaken areas such at the start of 2's fairway and the "lines" still remaining from the overseeding. 

As far as the weaken areas after further investigation it was determined that these areas were located mainly in the concentrated traffic areas and are recovering slowly.  We will and have been putting additional seed in these areas but if you as the members will help us by scattering the recovery will come quicker.  I have heard we applied less seed this year but let me assure you we have not ... so far the fairways have 1,260 lbs of seed per acre not including the additional 3,200 lbs we have put down in weaker areas.  The main reason we differ from most in the Valley at this time of year is because we lack wall-to-wall cart paths that most golf courses force you to remain on until Thanksgiving ... thus improving their quality of turf before cart traffic.  The good news is that as always in January we look better than most of them.

Rows in Question are Along the Right Side of the Picture

The last thing that Mr. Clapper and I looked at was the last few remaining "rows" from the overseeding process.  It has been only seven weeks since we finished up the overseeding and six weeks since that seed has germinated.  As the newly grown in turf finally tillers these areas will be completely gone.  December, thanks to shortened daylight and cooler temperatures is the time of year that ALL golf courses in the Valley look their worst -- hence the term given by Valley superintendent's December Gloom.  The good news is that the conditions will improve day after day as the Primo we applied on Nov 1st and the bi-weekly applications continue strengthen the turf.

Season Projects

Normally, we do not do projects during the season but as with most things anymore normal doesn't apply when items are requested.  Thanks to the generosity of a couple of members lantanas and grasses were purchased and given to the golf course for planting in areas such as the bed next to 7's tee (formally roses) and the big bed at the clubhouse.

Additionally, we are prepping the walk way going to 5's bathroom to convert it from gravel to concrete.  This upgrade has been discussed for years but finally is on the forefront nearing fruition.

After the Holidays

USC didn't win thus my poor Gators will not get a shot at that National title this year ... oh well, and go SEC.

The holidays were a success and we got everything we wanted done before the week's end even with a shortened staff.  I could not be more proud of the team and their efforts to get everything done on time and correctly.

This week is filled with numerous tasks to get us ready for December.  Historically, between the shortened daylight hours, cooler temperatures and slow growth the turf conditions will become less than par ... even with heavy maintenance.  In the industry we call this time of year "December Gloom."  The good news is that it occurs when less members are out to play and in January it is completely forgotten.

Hope for USC

Being a graduate on the University of Florida I never thought I would be cheering for USC. Well thanks to the Gators beating our in state rivals FSU the only way we have a shot at the title is if ND loses tonight to USC. This is even harder on me thanks to my Irish heritage.  But here it goes ... Go USC.

Roughs, Roughs, Roughs

It sometimes seems as fast as we are mowing the roughs they are growing right back up behind the mowers ... and thanks to the temperatures averaging 10 degrees greater than normal that isn't a understatement.  During normal weeks we are averaging seven to nine holes per day, and when we send out three or four rough units that average can be increased to 11 - 12 holes per day.

There are a lot of factors that can easily slow this process down from having to move the stakes and ropes before and after mowing, equipment breakage and down time, amount of play on a given day, to even such as this week where the staffing levels are reduced to make budget.  With increased temperatures such as what we are experiencing this daunting task becomes even more so daunting ... but rest assure we are addressing it quickly.

Today again we have full staffing levels and have all four rough units fully operational.  Additionally, both bank mowers (the units the address the roughs around tees & greens) will also be in the field today after first assignment has been completed.  The further speed the process we will have team members solely address moving and setting back the ropes.  These efforts should get us ready for the weekend, where all of the grass we have cut will grow back up again for Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of my extended Avondale family of the past eight years I wish everyone a Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving.  I am truly thankful for members at Avondale who always make me feel like a part of the family and I looked forward to always serving the best interest of Avondale.  The pride I take with the golf course, and the pride that my maintenance team takes can be seen in the product that we produce no matter what challenge faces us.  This family spirit is shared by the members as well with their generosity towards the team and their well being.

Today, besides giving thanks we will be prepping the golf course this morning for you and your family / guests to enjoy.  Then we will be out of your way for the entire day so nothing feels your ears but the chirping birds, and maybe the occasional "darn it" from someone missing a putt.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING  ... from the GCM Team.

First Full Day of Work This Week

During the holiday week we on purpose reduce the the staffing hours to 32 hours so when they get their eight hours of holiday pay it equals to the 40 hours that has been budgeted.  To make this work and cover the "meat and potatoes" of the maintenance and prep work there are a bunch of days the team only comes in for four hours thus limited time to address the ever growing roughs or extra detail work.

Since last week's reduction in staffing and the holiday this is the first full day that we have gotten five days so we are focused on putting maximum effort towards the roughs after the completion of the first assignments which prep the golf course for play.  You will see, hopefully, three rough units in the field and two smaller bank units working solely on getting the roughs back under control.  We are even putting a team member to address moving the ropes and stakes to greatly speed the process.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  In your prayers for friends and family don't forget to drop a few kind words for Avondale Golf Club and the members and friends we have lost over this past year.

Fertilizing Fairways Again

This morning we are granular fertilizing the fairways as part of our twice per week grow in program.  As with any new established turf there is a grow in period that requires additional nutrient inputs to fill in and be healthy ... overseeded ryegrass is no exception to this rule.  On the day after Thanksgiving while everyone else is still digesting the meal from the day before we will be applying our second fertilizer application for the week.

New Flower Design Seems to be a Big Hit

With the holiday fast closing in, today the whole team is only working four hours today ... so with so much that needs to get done it will look like a team of bees out there getting it done.  Speaking of bees, we have discovered a hive that is on the top level of the bougainvillea covered wall outside the staging area.  Haven't quite decided our game plan yet.

Thanksgiving Week

With the first of the major holidays already upon us we have to reduce the staff's hours to make up for the holiday pay they well deserve.  We have a very aggressive week planned with two fertilizations of the fairways, and one fertilization of the greens along with our general maintenance this week ... with less time and staff to accomplish what needs to be done.  But my team is up for the task.

Today, most of the staff is only working four hours, but there still will be several here all day.  Our goal is not only get everything done, but still make it so my team can enjoy the holiday with their families.

Fire Ants

Ever since the overseeding has been completed I have been hearing about fire ants around the golf course.  First, we have several species of ants at Avondale of which maybe 20% are fire ants ... but all ants bite.

Top Choice Fire Ant Label = Applications Only From April - Sept
This is the LAW

CV Vector Control usually treats the golf course just before we overseed to reduce the population but this year with major concerns about the West Nile Virus their attentions have been focused on that problem and asked those of us golf courses on their program to allow them to handle that life threatening issue first.  As in accordance with the pesticide label and the law we could only treat mounds in the Coachella Valley until a certain date using Top Choice (our insecticide) which we did.

Ants have been successful as a species for over 150 million years and are impossible to completely remove.  Our in-house program will start back up as the law allows, and CV Vector Control will hopefully soon return.  But until then common sense must prevail ... if you see a mound, of course report it, but do not approach the ants.  The rules of golf allow for free relief thus your ball can be moved without penalty.

The Colder Weather Took It's Toll

The three days back to back frost early in the week took its toll on the golf course somewhat.  Areas that were still growing in, or areas impacted by the cart traffic had stronger bermudagrass than ryegrass, thus when the frost pushed the bermuda towards dormancy its off coloring could be readily seen.  This usually occurs in December (termed December Gloom by superintendents) but this year with the cooler weather sooner happened sooner as well. 

The good news is that there is plenty of seed on the ground and we spot seeded even more this past week.  All of this seed will have less competition and will fill these areas in soon.

Next week will be a short staff week to allow our team members time with their families over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Plus it will keep us on budget which is good for the Club overall.

The Weekend is Upon Us

A Rare Event in the Desert - A Double Rainbow

This week past was extremely busy for the maintenance team and a lot was accomplished considering the three mornings of frost.  We finished up both the granular and foliar fertizations, the rolling of the greens, spot sand and leveling of the greens, and today we will finish the light topdressing.

18's Cup May Contain a Pot of Gold

The even better news is we are back on top of our roughs but sadly this reduces the golf balls that I can recover in the morning for my golf bag ... don't worry for me, I will survive.  It also sounds like the almost two weeks of work we put into getting the bunkers ready for the season is paying off.  I have as of yet to hear one direct or indirect complaint about them ... I wonder if the core of the Earth has froze over.

Sunrise Over 10's Tee

Well back to the field with the team to ensure the golf course is ready for the weekend.  Remember if you have any comments you can post them here too ... I do read them and give them credence.

Finally, No Frost

This morning we were greeted with slightly warmer temperatures and no frost which was fantastic for all of the things we have planned today.

Getting Ready to Mow 18's Green on a Rare Cloudy Day

We are going to be granular fertilizing all of the tees and fairways this morning.  This weekly light fertilization along with the fertigation and the weekly foliar fertizations may sound like a bit much but in fact it is the main reason that we can recover from cart traffic so quickly and also why we look so good for the heart of the season.  Time consuming ... you bet; well worth it ... of course.

Loving the Extention of the Flower Bed at the CH

Later today we will also be doing some touch up seeding from the damaged caused from the cart traffic to the young and tender seedling.  Sadly, at this time of years it will take three plus weeks to see the results due to our watering scheme and the lower temperatures.

Francisco Munoz Fertilizing 18's Fairway

Wanted to throw out a big thanks to the Woodsons.  Although they did not want any fanfare about their generosity but our membership should join with thanking them for the recent purchase of the five carts for GCM.  We were facing some very serious equipment issues and without those carts right now we would have been extremely limited on getting the morning tasks done efficiently.  Thanks once again from the GCM department.

Another Frosty Day

We started this morning again with a light frost but just when we thought we were going to have a back nine start everything lifted ... thus thanks to late start times and a fantastic crew we were able to give that front nine start like we wanted.

9's Green Cart Path -- Notice the Wear from One Day

The above picture shows one day's traffic and NOT taking the road less travelled.  I can plant the grass seed, grow it and feed it, but driving the same path or not scattering you can kill weeks' worth of work within a day or two ... please scatter.

Today, we foliar fertilized all of the fairways and even finally finished rolling the greens (since the past two days there have been shotguns and frost).  Tomorrow the fertilization efforts will continue with a granular application on the tees and fairways to continue to push the growth.  Additionally, in the afternoon we will be spot seeding the fairways to recover the regions we lost to cart traffic wear.

The reason we have to put so much extra seed compared to some other golf courses is because we do not have wall-to-wall cart paths.  Other courses in the Valley do have cart path restrictions usually until just after Thanksgiving which allows the tender young seedling to "harden" and become able to recover from traffic, where here we don't have that option.