Update

Jerry mowing large tees with a fairway mower

In an effort to be as efficient as possible, we have been mowing the large tees on the golf course with a fairway mower.  We started doing this last year when one of our triplex mowers died.  We are actually able to mow about 65 percent of our tees with a fairway mower.  About 20 percent continue to be mowed with a triplex, while about 15 percent require a walk behind mower.  In addition to saving time, this also helps keep hours off our triplex mowers, which are both 1995 models and have 10,125 and 8,363 hours respectively.

Spring 2011 Killdeer chick

There are some new Killdeer chicks located located near the chipping green.  They seem to spend most of their time around the cart path between the chipping green and hole 14 fairway.  If you are traveling in that area keep an eye out, you may seen them, but be careful, they are not too savvy around vehicles.  An adult Killdeer will likely try to get your attention by acting like it is hurt to draw your attention away from the chicks.

Fall 2010 greens aeration

We will begin greens aeration following play on Sunday (May 1st) at 12 noon.  We will also be closed Monday (May 2nd), and Tuesday (May 3rd) to complete the process.  With the cooperation of the weather and equipment, we should also be able to complete the aeration of approaches in that time period.

We need to aerate the greens regularly in order to keep them healthy and provide the best playing surface possible.  We will be using 5/8" hollow core tines in order to remove thatch while alleviating compaction.  The thatch will be replaced with sand.  This will create a sand channel for gas exchange and water infiltration.  I came across a video by Pace Turf, that does a nice job explaining the benefits of aeration.  For those of you that were following my blog last October, its same video I put on the blog for the fall greens aeration.  If you have not seen it, I highly recommend checking it out.

Update

Jerry mowing the 18th green

Today could be the fifth consecutive day without measurable rain at Sandpines.  There is a brief shower possible later this afternoon, so we will have to wait and see how it pans out.  We had frost delays on Monday and Tuesday due to temperatures in the low 30's.  Now that May is right around the corner, hopefully frost delays are behind us for a while.  The course is drying out nicely with the good weather, but there are still some wet areas around, so be careful with those carts.  The forecast for next week seems to change drastically with each day that passes, but it looks like there will be a couple of descent days and a couple of wet days.

Jerry mowing rough on hole 14

This week we spent most of our time performing routine golf maintenance tasks.  Routine golf course maintenance tasks include:  changing hole locations, mowing all areas of the golf course, raking bunkers, and maintaining equipment.  It was nice to be able to get the fairways and rough mowed again this week.  We were also able to get the fairways fertilized.  We are scheduled to start greens aeration in 10 days, so our focus outside of routine maintenance tasks has been making sure the aeration equipment is ready.  Dean made some modifications that should improve the reliability of our core harvesting equipment.

The driving range tee is now open.  I saw a video on David Phipps blog (Stone Creek Golf Club) that showed a great way to utilize driving range tee space.  In the video, Dan Meersman of Phily Cricket Club compares three divot patterns.  I liked Dan's idea so much, I included his video below.  It is definitely worth a look.  Let's see if we can implement the preferred hitting pattern in the video at Sandpines.

Update

Mowing fairways

I always enjoy watching the Masters.  I was so inspired after television coverage ended Saturday that I decided to head for the golf course.  It was a beautiful day, so I thought it would be nice to sneak in a few holes.  Instead of grabbing my clubs, I opted for my work keys.  Sure enough, I was able to get out and mow a few fairways.  It was definitely worth it.  Between Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning, I was able to get all the fairways mowed.  Usually, I would not consider that a major accomplishment, but this year the weather has been so awful that finding a dry enough time to mow fairways has been a challenge.  With the exception of tomorrow, the weather forecast for the next 10 days looks pretty decent in Florence.  I really hope that forecast holds true.

Shrinking vinyl onto a flagstick with a heat gun

I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and utilize resources wisely.  I had heard of a company called Vinyl Guard making some type of wrap that could be put onto flagsticks in order to reuse them.  I got serious about the idea after seeing the flagsticks that David Phipps produced at Stone Creek Golf Club.  After checking into the details involved, I decided we would give it a try at Sandpines.  I finished the flag sticks this week.  They turned out pretty nice.  Before I fully endorse the product, I want to see how they look after a full season of use.  In addition to the vinyl shrink wrap, new ferrules were also installed. 

New Flag stick preview

With vinyl, ferrules, and paint, the cost to refurbish our flagsticks was about $6 each excluding labor.  New flagsticks of a similar type sell for about $28 ($26-$30) each.  We usually order 20 flagsticks due to theft and/or damage.  That brings our usual flagstick total to about $560.  Our 20 refurbished flagsticks cost about $120.  The new flagsticks will most likely be put out after greens aeration, which is coming up soon (May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd).

Used pin sheet I found online

Recently, I needed a blank pin sheet for an upcoming tournament.  After looking through my computer files, I came up empty.  I decided to search for one online.  I did not come across a blank one, but there was a used one I liked.  I decided that would do.  The pin sheet I found was in jpeg format.  This made it relatively easy to modity.  I was able to transform the used pin sheet above into the blank pin below using Microsoft Paint (MS Paint).  If you ever want to modify a picture give MS Paint a try.  The process is pretty easy.  First, open MS Paint.  Next, open the file you want to modify within MS Paint.  Then, perform your modifications and save.

Blank pin sheet

Blue Sky Returns!

14 green basking in the sun

Today the sun is shining at Sandpines.  We had a brief frost delay this morning, but it was well worth the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine.  Sandpines has received just under two inches of rain over the past week.  Soil temperatures are beginning to increase, and so is turf growth.

Steven clearing brush next to cart path

Greens were rolled once, and mowed multiple times this week.  Tees, approaches, and most areas of the rough were also mowed.  Fairways were fertilized.  Tee yardage markers were edged.  Brush was cleared away from the cart path on the blind corner from 12 green to 13 tee.  Collars will be mowed over the weekend barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Jim edging a tee yardage marker on hole 13

We continued to work on extending carth paths this week.  A much needed extension to the cart path on hole 12  was completed.  We also began refurbishing flagsticks this week.  I will include more on the flagstick project in an upcoming post.

Jerry working on hole 12 cart path extension