Fairways, Approaches, and Seeding

If you have been to Wilmette Golf Club in the past week or so, you know there has been a hub of activity. Greens have been aerified and we have been punching holes and aerifying the other surfaces on the golf course as well. In conjunction with aerifying we have continued to seed portions of the golf course that were affected by the hot and brutal summer. 

We are very pleased with the seeding process and have gotten very good Kentucky Bluegrass establishment in all the areas that have been seeded, and are still waiting for growth on the areas that were seeded most recently. 

As the Kentucky Bluegrass continues to grow, we will continue to aerify and punch holes aiding in lateral growth and density. 

Also as part of this process we have begun to mow down the rough that borders the greens. We are doing this so that we  have a Kentucky Bluegrass collar. These new collars will have a seamless transition into the existing approaches. These future collars will eventually become mowed at the same height as the approaches. This process will make future mowing and maintenance of these areas easier, and we feel it helps frame the green and give a more refined definition.  

Golf Course Superintendent 

Nick Marfise 

Greens Aerification September 25th and 26th

It is that time of year where most golf courses undergo their greens aerification process. It is a shame because as fall approaches and the golf course recovers from the summer, playing conditions become optimal.

Unfortunately this process is a necessary evil as we continue to not only protect our greens investment but improve the playing conditions for the future.

Aerification allows us the ability to alleviate soil compaction, increase air and water pore space, and continue to dilute unwanted organic matter in the top layer of our greens. All of these elements create better play-ability and a healthier green long term.

Our greens aerification process has been dramatically improved, compared to practices done in the past. There are no longer piles of dirt, or cores left on the greens surface. Every core is cleaned as we go and we will be sure to leave the greens ready for golf as we finish.

First the Green is heavily topdressed with sand.

The aerifier then goes across the green, punching holes and pulling the soil cores.

The device on the back of the machine pulls the cores allowing for easy cleanup.

We are left with clean aerification holes and a green covered in sand.

The sand is then brushed and the green is rolled, this is the finished product.  

Additional information about aeration can be found by copying and pasteing this link for the USGA website into your web browser. 

http://www.usga.org/course-care/forethegolfer/why-do-golf-courses-aerate-so-much-.html

Thank you, 

Golf Course Superintendent 

Nick Marfise

Handling the unexpected

Since starting here at Wilmette Golf Club I was informed that major storms only took place every 10 years. After last months 7" flooding, the stories seemed to transform into an every 5-7 year storm. After yesterdays 2.5 inches its hard to know what  to believe.

The bottom line is that mother nature is completely unpredictable and we can only handle what she throws at us when it arrives.  It has been a  hot and humid summer what has been reported as the hottest in 50 years. Needless to say the grass and golf course as a whole have been very stressed. Since the flood the poa annua has begun to thin and weaken.  Poa has the ability to adapt to its surroundings and it will grow back, however it will take a long time. The unfortunate part is that we don't want the poa to come back, if it  does rejuvenate, we will only repeat this cycle of stress and disrupted playing surfaces.

stressed poa annua has turned yellow and brown

Your maintenance staff is dedicated to reseeding portions of the golf course and get the Kentucky Bluegrass into our Approaches and Fairways where it was once intended. This will be a lengthy process and it will take time for the new grass to grow and fill in.

seeding #4 Approach

seed channels 

The goal of the seeding will be to create a playing surface similar to #5 and 13 fairways which was reseeded last year. We appreciate everyone's support as staff has worked very hard just to keep the golf course open. Please continue to do your part by respecting ropes and stakes, filling divots, and fixing ball marks. If you have the opportunity to play lift clean and place please do so.  

Newly germinated Kentucky Bluegrass

Thank you,

Golf Course Superintendent
Nick Marfise

Storm Update

The course is closed again for the second day in a row due to the flooding and level of standing water on the golf course. Several areas have receded considerably,while others are still waiting on the North Branch of the Chicago River to go down.

Staff has spent the last day moving pumps to help relocate water to areas that will drain more efficiently. They have also been fixing all of the washed bunkers on the course. Several bunkers still have standing water in them, as the water goes down we will be out adjusting the sand in those bunkers as well.

The putting greens continue to look good and healthy. All the greens drained through the storm just the way they should, which again continues to be a testament to the renovation and overall investment. As a precautionary measure all of the greens were aerated between Sunday and Monday morning. We used very small pencil tines in order to get air and oxygen into the soil profile. The greens have been rolled and the holes will hardly be noticeable. 

 

We hope to open the course as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience as we put the course back together and take precautionary steps in making sure we don't create prolonged damage.  

Golf Course Superintendent 

Nick Marfise

Saturday Nights Storm

Like many areas on Chicago's North Shore we received our share of rain, 5.35". As you can imagine the course is very wet, and flooded in many locations.

The standing water is definetly a concern, staff will be out clearing debris from drains in order to let water pass.

As the north branch of the Chicago river continues to flow and catch up, we will begin to see areas on the course recede and drain.

For now there is concern for grass that is under water, as the heat index for the day is suppose to be over 100. It is to early to tell if there is or will be any damage. All the putting greens are free of water and look fine at this time.

We will continue to monitor the conditions and keep you updated.

Minimal rain, Happy Friday!

Mother nature was kind yesterday and we received minimal rain. Golf carts are avaliable.

Maintenace: Greens were mowed and rolled, bunkers raked, tees and fairways were mowed.

Fairways were shaggy and long expect workers to be blowing and cleaning the debris.

Thursday 7-7-16

Golf carts are available today, please check back as conditions may change as the weather this afternoon evolves.

Maintenace: Greens mowed, bunkers raked.