Be on the look out for the outer roughs turning yellow and brown. For twenty years now I have been riding the cart paths looking at Bahia, Dallis, and Crab grass in the outer roughs. So I've decided it's time for a change. How about just Bermuda or at least mostly Bermuda in these areas. That would be the plan.
The first application will consist of two herbicides, the first application mainly focusing on the Bahia grass and discoloring the others weeds. Once 10 to 14 days have passed a second application of just one of the two herbicide will be applied to continue the efforts in removing the crab and Dallis grass. Then 14 to 21 days later a third application will follow.
So y'all be on the look out for the weeds in the outer roughs to be leaving the premises.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Outside stair handrail
Just wanted to give you all an update on the stair rail for the steps on the back patio.
We are currently working on getting quotes of getting someone to custom build a railing on the back stair way. One of house committee members may have a company to build the railing.
So be on the lookout, it may appear before your eyes. Thanks for being patient
We are currently working on getting quotes of getting someone to custom build a railing on the back stair way. One of house committee members may have a company to build the railing.
So be on the lookout, it may appear before your eyes. Thanks for being patient
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Granite tee signs
I am currently in the process of getting all the information needed for the new tee signs. Once I get a proof from the maker I will then meet with Greens Committee and the MGA Board to discuss changes as needed. I believe most all of you will be impressed with the new tee signs.
Once the new tee signs are installed, I will then begin to repaint the existing ball washer and do any repairs as needed. The colors will of course follow the black and gold.
Just for your information the granite sign is 7'0 long (2'0 of that is in the ground), 12" wide and 4" thick. They are being made in China. The fellow told me that only three places in the world have the black granite which is the color of the tee sign, that would be China, India, and Canada.
Many thanks to our member Craig Baker. His company has been helping us during our selection of the tee sign. Thanks Craig.
Once the new tee signs are installed, I will then begin to repaint the existing ball washer and do any repairs as needed. The colors will of course follow the black and gold.
Just for your information the granite sign is 7'0 long (2'0 of that is in the ground), 12" wide and 4" thick. They are being made in China. The fellow told me that only three places in the world have the black granite which is the color of the tee sign, that would be China, India, and Canada.
Many thanks to our member Craig Baker. His company has been helping us during our selection of the tee sign. Thanks Craig.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Alligator Pond #11
I have been informed there is an alligator in the pond at hole #11. I'm really wondering how did this gator get there. Did it go strolling down Westeimer Parkway and enter the golf course and move into the pond. Did it go strolling through the sub-division and enter the golf course and move into the pond?
I contacted the Texas Parks and Wildlife on Tuesday May 18Th and informed them of our situation with the alligator. Here's what they had to say.
The biology of alligators is an ancient tale of survival. The history of alligators and humans is closely intertwined. As population and development have grown, humans/gators encounters have increased. Lakes dug during the development of subdivisions have invited alligators into our backyards. Learning to live safely with these fascinating reptiles ensures our safety and their survival.
Alligators can actually move up to two miles away from there main source of water such as an bayou, and lake (not pond). Generally speaking they are not aggressive. The male gator will tend to just hang out and lay on the side of the pond or bayou, if approached it will break into the water quickly. If the male is in the water, generally he will simply go under. So basically the male gator is no threat.
The female gator is the more aggressive of the two especially during mating season, which runs from early spring to early summer. The aggressiveness that a female gator will show if she is in the water and you are walking around the pond she will tend to follow you around. If she is on the side of the pond and you come around she may open her mouth and/or actually make some type of noise. If approached they will break for the water.
Here are some rules to follow;
1. DO NOT FEED ALLIGATORS; Report to police anyone who does. Although humans are not generally viewed as prey by alligators, a fed gator is taught to see humans as food.
2. LEAVE ALLIGATORS ALONE; Alligators are most active at dusk and dawn. State law prohibits killing, harassing, or possession of alligators.
3. KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY from edges of ponds, rivers, canals, lakes.
4. NEVER SWIM IN THESE PONDS, rivers, canals, lakes that alligators are seen in.
5. BINOCULARS ARE THE SAFEST way to view an alligator. Approaching close than 20 feet is risky. In the blink of an eye, an alligator can jump 6 feet into the air from a resting position and turn extremely fast.
I contacted the Texas Parks and Wildlife on Tuesday May 18Th and informed them of our situation with the alligator. Here's what they had to say.
The biology of alligators is an ancient tale of survival. The history of alligators and humans is closely intertwined. As population and development have grown, humans/gators encounters have increased. Lakes dug during the development of subdivisions have invited alligators into our backyards. Learning to live safely with these fascinating reptiles ensures our safety and their survival.
Alligators can actually move up to two miles away from there main source of water such as an bayou, and lake (not pond). Generally speaking they are not aggressive. The male gator will tend to just hang out and lay on the side of the pond or bayou, if approached it will break into the water quickly. If the male is in the water, generally he will simply go under. So basically the male gator is no threat.
The female gator is the more aggressive of the two especially during mating season, which runs from early spring to early summer. The aggressiveness that a female gator will show if she is in the water and you are walking around the pond she will tend to follow you around. If she is on the side of the pond and you come around she may open her mouth and/or actually make some type of noise. If approached they will break for the water.
Here are some rules to follow;
1. DO NOT FEED ALLIGATORS; Report to police anyone who does. Although humans are not generally viewed as prey by alligators, a fed gator is taught to see humans as food.
2. LEAVE ALLIGATORS ALONE; Alligators are most active at dusk and dawn. State law prohibits killing, harassing, or possession of alligators.
3. KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY from edges of ponds, rivers, canals, lakes.
4. NEVER SWIM IN THESE PONDS, rivers, canals, lakes that alligators are seen in.
5. BINOCULARS ARE THE SAFEST way to view an alligator. Approaching close than 20 feet is risky. In the blink of an eye, an alligator can jump 6 feet into the air from a resting position and turn extremely fast.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Discoloration to greens
The Member Member Tournament was a great tournament. The conditions of the golf course shaped up well. I wanted to give everyone a heads up on what to expect the week after with the greens.
* The air temperatures have dropped a bunch. For three straight mornings the lows have been in the low 50's with the highs reaching into the upper 70's and/or lower 80's. That does not reach our 150 temperature rule. Remember add the night time and the daytime temperatures togehter and they need to reach or exceed 150 degrees combined temperature. If this is happening it will cause turf to turn off color.
* Because we mow and roll the greens numerous amounts of time the week of the tournament sometimes this can cause the tips of the turf to get hot in turn that burns the tips of the turf and will brown the greens putting surface.
* On the actual two days of the tournament we generally will not water greens with the sprinklers, only some hand watering as needed. We do this to help pick up the putting speeds. So in doing this, the soil may get dried out and begin discoloring the turf. Nothing to worry about, all it takes is a little water and a few days for recovery. On Monday I did apply a small shot of fertilizer to help in the recovery process.
For those of you who have played the course this week you will experience a few greens out there that are discolored. Nothing to fear, the moisture levels have all been checked and are in guidance. As far as holes #7 & 8 greens I'm not sure what those spots are on the greens other than scalping. I will keep a good eye on these to make sure they are not spreading.
* The air temperatures have dropped a bunch. For three straight mornings the lows have been in the low 50's with the highs reaching into the upper 70's and/or lower 80's. That does not reach our 150 temperature rule. Remember add the night time and the daytime temperatures togehter and they need to reach or exceed 150 degrees combined temperature. If this is happening it will cause turf to turn off color.
* Because we mow and roll the greens numerous amounts of time the week of the tournament sometimes this can cause the tips of the turf to get hot in turn that burns the tips of the turf and will brown the greens putting surface.
* On the actual two days of the tournament we generally will not water greens with the sprinklers, only some hand watering as needed. We do this to help pick up the putting speeds. So in doing this, the soil may get dried out and begin discoloring the turf. Nothing to worry about, all it takes is a little water and a few days for recovery. On Monday I did apply a small shot of fertilizer to help in the recovery process.
For those of you who have played the course this week you will experience a few greens out there that are discolored. Nothing to fear, the moisture levels have all been checked and are in guidance. As far as holes #7 & 8 greens I'm not sure what those spots are on the greens other than scalping. I will keep a good eye on these to make sure they are not spreading.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Update on the greens
The greens are shaping up nicely, even the the four same ole greens that always want to be the trouble makers are coming around. The practice green is recovering well, just a little more time and it will begin to tighten up like the other greens are. I'm pleased with the overall conditions and will begin my summer management plan starting the first week of May. As far as aerifications to the greens, the first one is scheduled for June 1st, then August 9th. The aerification to fairways is scheduled for the first week of June.
In case you wonder why particular greens have problems in recovering after the winter months let me share a few reasons.
**Practice green--This green receives the highest amount of traffic than any other green. The wear and tear of foot traffic can wear grass down to the dirt. On top of that these greens go dormant throughout the winter months and very little growth is actually taking place. So we have to be careful not to wear the turf to far down and it's up to me to keep the fertility up to the necessary rate to keep it actively growing and to manage the water correctly.
**Hole #4,5,6--These three greens live in a totally different environment than the rest of the greens. There's trees blocking the air movement, morning sun does not cover the surface until later in the morning and then evening sun is covering turf as well. This in turn can cause turf to thin out. So these particular three greens require a little bit more tender care than the rest do.
Overall our goal is to maintain 20 perfect greens, just remember these greens are like our children and we all know that none of our children are the same. Also, let's remember the 150 degree rule. In order for turf to be in growing stages the total temperature needs reach 150 degrees. So far in 2010 there has been one day where the temperatures reached this degree.
Well let me take that back today we were at 158 degrees, yea buddy! The turf is growing now.
In case you wonder why particular greens have problems in recovering after the winter months let me share a few reasons.
**Practice green--This green receives the highest amount of traffic than any other green. The wear and tear of foot traffic can wear grass down to the dirt. On top of that these greens go dormant throughout the winter months and very little growth is actually taking place. So we have to be careful not to wear the turf to far down and it's up to me to keep the fertility up to the necessary rate to keep it actively growing and to manage the water correctly.
**Hole #4,5,6--These three greens live in a totally different environment than the rest of the greens. There's trees blocking the air movement, morning sun does not cover the surface until later in the morning and then evening sun is covering turf as well. This in turn can cause turf to thin out. So these particular three greens require a little bit more tender care than the rest do.
Overall our goal is to maintain 20 perfect greens, just remember these greens are like our children and we all know that none of our children are the same. Also, let's remember the 150 degree rule. In order for turf to be in growing stages the total temperature needs reach 150 degrees. So far in 2010 there has been one day where the temperatures reached this degree.
Well let me take that back today we were at 158 degrees, yea buddy! The turf is growing now.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
2010 Prepaing for Member Member
For those of you who are participating in the 2010 Member Member Tournament you should be pleased with the conditions on the golf course. The temperatures have began to warm up enough to get the turf growing. The greens themselves appear to be good shape and we will continue to improve them as we approach the 1st round on Friday. For those of you who haven't been out to play in a while look for some changes in the scenery. New signage, sand boxes, Marquette houses, yardage stones have all been either made by myself and Will McCullogh and the tee yardage markers have been relocated to the slopes of the tee's just off the tee box cut. You'll also notice hole #6 in the woods clean up has begun in removing all the material dumped there through out the years. Also let's don't forget Mark Hamlin, he brought a machine to work on some drainage issues on the back of the driving range and behind #8 tee box. Thanks Mark.
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