Busy Week for Visitors

This week was a little different in that we had many guests come to tour the course.  Oscar Miles, Retired Certified Golf Course Superintendent paid us a visit on Monday with a group from Spring Lake Country Club in Quincy, Illinois.  Mr Miles is consulting for Spring Lake C.C. during a gas and regrass project that they are going to be doing.  Oscar is somewhat of a legend among superintendents in Illinois as he was Superintendent at the Merit Club in Chicago for over 20 years.  He was also Superintendent at Olympia Fields and Butler National prior to the Merit Club and is in the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.  Oscar has hosted numerous PGA and LPGA tour events during his 40+ year career as a Superintendent.  It was an honor to spend time with him on our golf course.  He was impressed with the results of our regrassing project as were the rest of the group.

Oscar Miles (far right) with group from Spring Lake C.C.

 
Tuesday we had a visit from Dr. James Crum, PhD from Michigan State University.  Dr. Crum is one of the leading authorities on turfgrass soils/ chemistry in the industry.  He has worked around the globe as a consultant for such projects as the Beijing Olympics, World Soccer Federation, NFL, Major League Baseball and countless golf courses from Spain to China.  He was here to visit our MSU intern Kyle DeRoo who has been with us this season.  Again it was an honor to have Dr. Crum on the course for a tour and he also attended a Green Committee meeting that evening and gave some insight into the benefits of topdressing fairways.  Dr. Crum has always been a mentor to me and his evaluation and input of our course is always appreciated on his visits.  He has visited our course numerous times over the last 8 years so he has seen the transition as course improvements were made and was very complimentary of the course conditions.

Thursday we had Dr. Ed Nangle, PhD, Director of Turgrass Programs for the CDGA on the course for the morning.  Dr. Nangle is new this year to his CDGA position and was visiting different courses around the state to get a feel for the diversity of growing conditions and challenges that he will be consulting on.  Originally from Ireland Dr. Nangle did his PhD work at The Ohio State University.  (We won't hold that Against him! )  He worked in New Zealand and Florida prior to making his way to the Chicagoland area.  Illinois is an interesting state to be a turf advisor as you have both warm season grasses in the south and cool season grasses in the north with the transition zone in between.  After meeting Dr. Nangle he will be a great asset to all CDGA clubs throughout the state as he has worked with all grass types.  He was pleased with our golf course and surprised by the topography that the course is on.  We look forward to working with Dr. Nangle on agronomic issues and wish him luck in his new position.

The course continues to be in good shape so get out and play some golf.  The ten day forecast looks good and it is hard to believe we are looking at mid July already.  The heat and humidity have not been too bad and the staff and the turf both appreciate that!  
     

The 4th of July.....Already

Where did June go?   As we move into July the weather for the first few days has felt like late May!  Highs in the 70's and nighttime temperatures in the low 60's.  What a strange year we are having.  The course remains in good shape as we head into July and what is usually the most stressful time of year for the turf.  Warmer temperatures and the humidity have to show up sooner or later but until then this weather is simply Awesome!

Hole #1 at Country Club of Peoria

The weather for the 4th of July could not be better so come out and play some golf.  It is a great way to burn off some of those BBQ ribs and get ready for all the fireworks that will be presented in the area. 
We all enjoy the parades and fireworks but let's not forget what this day is in celebration of.  On July 4th, 1776 our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence declaring our freedom and separation from Great Britain.  Please remember those who currently serve in the military and past veterans as Americans have always led the fight for freedom and justice not only on our soil back in 1776 but around the world.  We should all remember that freedom is not free so thank a veteran or someone currently serving in the military for what they have done for our country.  God Bless America!      

Hole #4 ready for some golf!

Come out and enjoy some golf, eat plenty of BBQ and be safe as you enjoy the fireworks during the holiday.  The CCP Golf Maintenance Staff wish you all a Happy and Safe 4th of July.

4th of July celebration at Washington Monument