Let the Irrigation Begin... or the rain

The lack of any rain during the month of March and the beginning of April has made it necessary to begin regular irrigation cycles.  I cannot remember a year when it has been necessary to run full cycles of irrigation in the months of March and April.  We were even hand watering over the last few weeks which usually begins in late June early July but this year began in March!  What a strange, dry and warm March and April we have had.  There is some chance of rain this coming weekend and I can honestly say that we could use it.  The dry conditions have been good for golf and getting carts out but the turf is actually showing signs of drought stress and for this early in the season that is not necessarily a good thing.  Hopefully Mother Nature will help us out this weekend.  Sorry if it gets in the way of golf but there have been plenty of "bonus" days so far in March and April for golf.   Remember the old saying "April showers bring May flowers".  Well, those same April showers help bring healthy root systems to the turf plant.  Bring on some April rain!! 

Conditions Dry So.... Fast and Firm

The course is playing fast and firm due to the absence of rain over the last month.  Greens are rolling well for this early in the year and the bluegrass rough is filling in nicely.  We have been working hard to keep up with rough mowing as the unseasonably warm temperatures have the season off to an early start.  The greens, tees and fairways have not really started to grow yet but if we get some extended periods of consistently warm weather that will change rapidly. 


Course is playing fast and firm due to lack of Spring rains

 Hopefully we will see some typical rainfall in April to help get the turf roots well developed before the summer stress period shows up.

Alex Palos our new Assistant Superintendent starts April 9th so if you see him out on the course please help us welcome him to CCP.  He will be featured in a post in the next few weeks. 

Come out and play as the course is in good shape and playing well.

Is it March? Really!!

What a strange start to spring.  In the last week numerous high temperature records have fallen throughout the Midwest.  With temperatures in the 80's the turf has definitely responded.  What a difference in just one week.  The Spring green up has started and the first mowing for the year on greens, tees and fairways has been completed.  The turf grows slowly as it comes out of dormancy but with the above normal temperatures it won't take long to get into some real growing weather as soil temperatures increase.   The course came out of winter in good shape and with the typical Spring growth it should come around nicely as we move forward.


First mowing of the year completed on tees,greens and fairways

Currently the course is playing very well and the rains on Monday (the first day of Spring) created no playability issues.  Carts were allowed today on the course with a few golfers taking advantage of the 80 degree day.  The greens have been rolled numerous times and are rolling nicely for this early in the season.  It will take a few more weeks to get them to firm up but that will come with time. 

So how will the early Spring warm up effect the turf?  It is hard to predict how the early start to the season will impact the turf.  It is probable that weeds, insects and turf pathogens will all show up earlier and possibly in greater numbers.  With a winter that lacked the extended freezing temperatures we do know that populations of turfgrass pests are higher than normal.  We may also see some turf set back if we get a hard spring frost after the turf has broke dormancy.  These set backs are typically short lived and symptoms are gone after a week or two of better growing conditions.  We will just have to see what Mother Nature has in store for us as Spring unfolds but for right now, it is great weather for March and golf!         

Big News for CCP Maintenance Department

We are very excited to announce that Assistant Superintendent Tyler Bain has taken a  job as Superintendent at Ironwood Golf Course in Normal, Illinois.  It is bitter sweet for the department as Tyler has been with us for almost 4 years and we are losing a solid asset to our department.  He was brought in as an irrigation specialist in 2008 when the new irrigation system was installed.  He was a integral part of our management team as we went through the regrassing and construction projects over the last few years.  Tyler was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in 2011 and has held that position for the last year. 

Tyler is a 2008 graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Horticulture.  He served as Safety Committee Chairman for the entire club while at CC of Peoria.  He will be missed by the staff here at the club but we are all excited and happy for Tyler in obtaining his new position.  The market has been very difficult over the last few years when it comes to getting Superintendent jobs.  Our department has seen two assistants in the last two years leave after accepting Superintendent positions.  This speaks volumes for our club and the reputation that we have in the golf course management industry.  

Please join us in congratulating Tyler on his new position at Ironwood Golf Course.  We know he will be a great asset to their operation and we look forward to seeing his career advance.  Best of luck Tyler and know, you will be missed!    

Another Day for Golf?

With temperatures pushing near 50 degrees today it is yet another day to play golf.  Being that it is February 17th I would say that is pretty good.  Winter golf for our area is usually kept to a minimum during the off season but this year is an exception.  We have had numerous days in the 5o degree range that golfers could take advantage of during the months of December, January and February.  There are a few of our members who are on pace to play a round on the course every month of the year.  Some years it is just not possible to accomplish this goal but this winter has been cooperative when it comes to golfing "bonus" days.  Enjoy the milder weather and we will have to wait and see what is in store over the next month.  "Real" golf weather is not too far off so dust off the clubs!    

A Little Winter....Maybe!

Seeing some winter type conditions today.  Chance for an inch of snow and colder temperatures for a few days.  Service work on our equipment and the golf cart fleet is moving along nicely.  It is always a big challenge to get all the equipment ready for the upcoming season.  We were able to burn off some of the native grass areas on the course during the last week in preparation for the upcoming season.  Burning these areas helps reduce weeds and promotes healthier plants once the spring arrives.  Burning also helps reduce the amount of old dead grass that tends to "clump" up which makes finding that errant shot much easier.  We will see what the next few days have in store for us but it looks a little colder and the chance for an inch or so of snow is possible.  Still not too bad for February!! 

        

January Golf Anyone?

Here it is the 31st of January and we are talking golf.  Almost 60 degrees today with some gusty winds but for the adventurous golfer it is a potential day to swing the clubs.  The snow we had over the weekend is gone and it is a little wet but for walking it is not too bad.  This weather is very unusual and it makes us wonder when we will see the blustery weather again.  You have to believe that at some point we will see 2-3 weeks of really cold weather along with the typical snow that comes with it.  

We have continued with our winter maintenance of the equipment and some course projects when it is not too wet.  Service of the 50 golf carts for the membership is currently being completed along with service on our maintenance fleet of tractors, mowers and other implements used during the season.  It seems impossible that we will be calling back crew in mid March to begin another season!  Where did the winter go, or has it ever arrived?