Seeding Process

#3 Fairway 

The last couple of weeks the maintenance staff has been hard at work getting the fairways seeded after the flood related damage from July. On July 12th we received three inches of rain, and yet the golf course handled that amount of water just fine. It was the days that preceded that created the inevitable damage. The intense rains that took place north of us in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois made the rivers and flood plains rise, causing back-flow up our drains and onto our property. Areas of the golf course remained saturated and underwater for more then four days. Grass needs air and oxygen to stay alive and after long periods underwater it begins to decline. 

#14 Fairway 

The damage that you see here is a result of that flooding creating a rather unappealing and undesirable playing surface. The decision was made to seed these damaged areas. Many have asked why we are not sodding in this occasion. Although sod sounds like a quick fix, sod is a much more expensive alternative then seed, and sod takes time to mow and groom down to a desired height for a fairway. Sod would be more aesthicically pleasing but would still be considered unplayable for several weeks. Seed takes time to germinate, but learns to grow and adapt to its surroundings. With good weather from start to finish we could have the seeded areas back and playable again in approximately six weeks. 

A newly germinated area

These newly germinated areas are quite fragile the seedlings have a very short root system and it doesn't take much force to ruin these seedlings. Although it is inconvenient we have roped several areas on the course off to eliminate as much traffic as possible. We certainly don't want golf carts driving through these areas, and would prefer if walkers and pull carts stay off as well.

Fairway irrigation keeping seeded areas moist 

All seed and germinating seed needs to stay either wet or moist, do not be surprised to see irrigation heads running during your round of golf. We hope not to inconvenience anyone, but on warm dry days it is important that we continue to protect the clubs investment. 

A picture of "Goose-grass" 

Several members and golfers have inquired about the weeds, Crabgrass, and Goose-grass that are currently on the golf course. After the flood we decided not to spray for weeds because we did not want to put anything onto the grass or in the ground that would prevent seed from growing. Now that we are seeding and the seed is germinating the best course of action is to wait to spray these weeds until it is safe for the the newly established grass. 

We hope this information helps we will continue to keep you updated 

Respectfully 

Nick Marfise 

Golf Course Superintendent