Golf Course Update - July 25th - Anniversary Edition

Today marks 5 weeks since we planted our tees. I am happy to say most of the tees appear to be filling in on schedule. Yes, we all wish they were fully grown-in but it is not uncommon for full-coverage to take 8 weeks or more. Keep in mind, these tees are just over 1-month-old. Growth and spread will continue to increase exponentially as the tees mature. However, it is evident that a few, like number 12, are lagging behind. We have identified this and altered maintenance practices to add additional sprigs cut from our own turf. We also have assessed nutrient availability and determined that the numerous summer rains have made it necessary to add additional fertilizer at this time. In an effort to push growth, we will be supplementing with extra fertilizer every 4-6 days until coverage is achieved. With summer not even half-over, we have plenty of good growing weather ahead to allow tees to cover and mature. We will continue to push growth, monitor and adjust plans as needed.

Below you can see the progress of growth on #4 Tee since planting:

June 19 - Day of planting

June 28

July 3rd

July 12 - First Topdressing

July 17

July 23

It's the lateral growth of the bermudagrass stolons that enable the grass to cover

I am sorry to report that we lost a Washingtonian palm on #5 by the right fairway bunker due to a recent lightning strike. The tree will be removed at first opportunity. A good reminder of why we should not be on the golf course when there is lightning in the area.

This tree on #5 was destroyed by a lightning strike

Every year we make a preventative treatment for mole crickets. Mole crickets are large insects that destroy turfgrass by tunneling underneath and feeding on the plants. Left untreated, these insects can obliterate large areas of turfgrass in a short time. It appears as though there was an issue with this year's preventative treatment as mole cricket activity has been identified across the golf course. I have met with the chemical manufacturer's representative and they are providing us with enough free product to treat the entire golf course with an effective post-control product. We have already treated 10 acres and hope to complete treatments by the middle of next week.

This area shows damage caused by mole crickets

The grounds department spent some time this week verticutting the areas of sod around the greens from last year's bunker project. These areas were very bumpy, caused by the individual pieces of sod, and efforts are being made to smooth them. This was the first of several verticuttings aimed at removing the high spots over a given area. As a byproduct, there are numerous grass stems produced, many of which are expected to be viable for transplant. We took these stems and spread them like sprigs across 12 tee and part of 8 tee to encourage faster growth of these areas.

#13 approach following verticutting

#12 tee after verticut clippings were planted

Finally, today marks the 14th anniversary of my start date at Isla Del Sol. Where does the time go? It's been a wonderful place to call home, and I look forward to serving you for many more years to come.

Golf Course Update - July 17

The tees were sprigged approximately 4 weeks ago and are progressing nicely. We have fought a few washouts from rain along the way but continue to fill those areas as needed. This week we began to roll, mow and sand topdress the new tees. This helps not only to smooth the new tees but also encourages lateral growth of the young grass plants. I am sure many who are looking at the tees could be concerned that they are not filling in fast enough but we are exactly where you would expect to be at the 28 day mark for the majority of the tee boxes. A few, like 12 and 13, seem to be a few days behind the others but we will continue to push those along. Don't forget, it took the first 10-14 days for the sprigs to start growing. Now they are in the phase where the development and spread will be exponential.

Sand topdressing being applied to #4

Notice the new lateral growth of the sprigs

This photo was take a few days later zoomed out. Notice all of the lateral runners.

I have had a few questions about the standing water beside some of the new tees like 10 and 16. The plans called for drains to be installed in these areas. We chose to wait to install drains in order to not delay planting. Our priority was to get the grass in the ground as soon as possible. Over the next month we will work to install the new drains.

We are scheduled to complete the lake bank by the 13th tee the week of August 12th. We will do a finish grade and sod in order to stabilize this bank. 

We are getting rave reviews on the changes made to the bunkers and green surrounds. What a difference it is to have new sand that is not contaminated with seashells! The surrounding sod continues to mature and the aesthetics are greatly improved.

New greenside bunkers on #16

We continue to mow the green expansions from last year's project at the lower height. The transitions are smoothing out and the expansions are matching the green surfaces better each week. Each green gained close to 1500 square feet in area.

The greens from last year's project have been expanded onto the paspalum sod

 
As you can imagine, this time of year can be challenging to keep up with the everyday maintenance of the golf course when we still have focus on projects. We spent last week and continue to use our time this week to catch up on some of the details that are a little behind. We worked at tennis and the clubhouse on landscaping and also edged all of our new bunkers last week. We gave some attention to the greens with a vertical mowing which is intended to thin the canopy and reduce thatch. This week we are working to weedeat around the trees and lakebanks on the golf course, as well as spray the weeds out of the waste bunkers on 1, 3 and 10. Next week we will finish edging the old bunkers and remove the dead weeds from the waste bunkers that were sprayed this past Tuesday.

The crew edging the bunkers on #13