With the passing of Memorial Day weekend we are now heading into the season full steam. Summer conditions feel like they are happening right now but some cooler weather will surely return. The course is playing well and in good shape currently.
The spring agronomic practices have been completed and recovery of the areas has occurred. It is important to recognize that it is what we do in the spring that prepares the course to survive the rigors of summer. Aeration of all bentgrass areas is vital in helping the turf be as healthy as possible heading into the major stress period of summer. It is always our goal to get the turf as healthy as we can going into the summer season.
What will the summer of 2014 be like? With the variability of weather that we saw this spring it is hard to forecast what the summer may bring. Currently we are dry and are already seeing some slopes and traditional "dry spots" show up. Usually we would see these conditions occur in mid to late June. We are fortunate that we can irrigate and hand water to help with this challenge but being this dry this early in the year can be problematic down the road. It is very similar to the conditions we saw in 2012 with drought and heat being the dominant weather pattern through the summer season. Let's hope that is not the case this year and that Mother Nature helps us out with some precipitation and milder temperatures.
Come out and enjoy the course as it is playing well and the truly hot weather has not yet arrived. It won't be long and we will be looking at the 4th of July and that can be when the real heat shows up. Remember, if you have a chance to introduce the game of golf to a young person please make that effort. They are the future of the game!
See you on the course!
