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| #10 Green, Frosty for birdie... |
As 2017 ended it was important to prepare the golf course for winter. A lot can be accomplished that helps setup for the next new growing season.
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| #3 Green |
Prior to winter we heavily sand top-dress the greens. Sand topdressing helps protect the bent-grass from the harsh winter weather. Bentgrass holds up to the winter weather well, as long as it does not last too long. It is important that the plants have had enough moisture and the sand topdressing helps prevent from dehydration.
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| Close up of sand covered greens |
A few people have asked what is the best kind of weather to have in the winter. Is it better to have snow? or no snow? or cold vs milder temperatures? Experience has shown that no year is ever the same as the last, and you always see something different, and the turf performs differently every spring. Snow cover however is good, protecting the turf from the wind and extreme colds. If there is no snow, we'd hope that it might be a little warmer out and less windy. You never want to see ice for extended periods of time on the turf. Ice causes a lack of oxygen and turf loss is possible. For now we seem to be fairing well with some snow, and some warm days, and no ice.
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| Organic fertilizer going out on fairways |
This fall we took advantage of having the opportunity to spread some organic fertilizer out on all of our fairways. This product is similar to a Milorgonite or other composted type materials. This material will help give the fairways some nutrients heading into next spring and help get an early jump on the next growing season. This product will also help amend our sub soil surfaces as well. By adding this materiel to the grass canopy, the grass will then grow up and through that organic material, similar to sand topdressing greens. Once the grass has grown through that organic material will become apart of the soil, adding those rich nutrients to the ground below.
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| Dragging Fairways |
The composted fertilizer is then dragged to help break up the larger chunks and work the materiel into the grass. We will let the materiel sit there through the winter and let the snow and rains help break it down even more. We will then do a final cleanup of the fairways before we open for the 2018 season.
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| Snow covered 4th green |
Prior to winters arrival all of the golf course accessorizes were removed from the golf course. All ball-washers, garbage cans, tee markers, bunker rakes, etc... All of the amenities will be refurbished and prepared for the upcoming season.
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| Those are some old snow shoes |
Unfortunately we have not had enough snow to groom cross country ski trails just yet. Six inches of snow is the minimum needed to have an adequate base in order to safely groom the trails and not harm the turf below. All of our greens have been staked and roped to prevent from skier traffic, and prevent from any possible damage. If we receive enough snow and are able to groom the trail this year, we will make sure it is marked with reflective stakes and ready for use.
