My daughter Lilly helping take soil samples

Last week, my daughter joined me for some soil sampling.  We took samples from 6 areas.  Four of which were greens, and one from a tee area, and one from a fairway.  In order to get a good sampling of the area being sampled, it is important to sample various locations within that area.  We used a soil probe and took about 15 samples from each green, tee, and fairway being sampled.  It also important to use a uniform sampling depth.  The sampling depth should be determined by root depth.  Our roots are at least four inches long, so we used a four inch sampling depth.  Once sampling was complete, we let the samples dry over the weekend and sent them off to the lab.  We should get the results back soon.  The results will help guide any pH adjustments or nutrient deficiencies that need to be addressed.

Wine barrel planter on hole 7

A couple of months ago, we added some wine barrel planters with flowers on the golf course.  They have really taken off and are looking good.  Next year, we hope to get a little earlier start with our flower planting.  We also have a little better idea of what flowers do well and what flowers don't do as well.  The flowers definitely added to the ambiance.

Wine barrel planter on hole 15

Once upon a time, I posted a driving range hitting technique that helps to maximize the amount of  available hitting space on the driving range tee.  I originally got this technique from David Phipps when he was superintendent at Stone Creek (I believe he got it from Dan Meersman).  Essentially, once you hit a shot, you place the next ball just on the turf at the back of the divot.  Repeat for the next shot.

The following video was made by Dan Meersman from Phily Cricket Club.  In the video Dan does a great job comparing the impact of three different driving range hitting techniques.  Please check it out and implement the preferred technique next time you use the driving range.