#18 Greenside Bunker

Here we go to the next trap, we are moving on to #18 left greenside bunker. We will have all the sand from around the edges piled in the center for the beginning to mid-week, so be patient with us.
 I am going with a little different look on this one. I wanted to add soil on the side closest to the green to create a flashing (I'm thinking the would be right term to use). reason being the current design of the bunker has very limited visibility from the #18 fairway anywhere from the 250 to the 100 yard markers. If we simply rolled the sod down, then the bunker would not be visible. Once the flashing is complete I'll install a products that helps in stopping erosion. So after it rains the sand will not move down to the bottom. This material allows sand to bond to it which in turns helps in keeping sand in place.
 Back to the flashing area, or we could remove the mounds in front of the bunker. However my feeling is this would allow shots taken from the 200 yard and out area vulnerable to end up in the lake left of the green. The slight mounding in front of the traps cushions the impact from the shot and ends up putting your ball in the trap or general area.
 So I have chosen to simply just roll the sod down to the bottom of the trap on three sides and create a flashing on the fourth side, I hope that makes sense to you. All of this will help tremendously in keeping these bunkers up. Just keep a reminder; We are not re-doing the drainage, so after big rains the trap will still have water in it but no erosion. All we have to do is pump and rake.

Hazard Post

Well if any of you have played the course I have to think you've noticed the new hazard markers going in holes #4,5,6. After we finished clearing out all of the excess debre, we wanted to get the outline marked correctly.
 Many thanks to the MGA again for their support in supplying the pipe and paint.

#9 Greenside Bunker

 Many of you have noticed the massive renavation to the greenside bunker at hole #9. We had began with simply planning to roll the grass on the sides and do away with the walls around the edge of this trap some 20 inches deep.
 Once we finished with rolling the sod around the edges we discovered that we were some two feet below the ground elevation. therefore this bunker could be seen from the fairway anywhere.
 We then removed the sand, by the way 28 inches of sand was removed from this bunker. In fact we took all the sand from this bunker and moved it the two greenside traps on hole #13, three greenside traps on hole #8 and two greenside traps on hole #14.
 Once all the sand was removed we then had to add soil to the bottom and raise the entire bottom of the trap around two feet so we could make the trap visible from the fairway. Once we finished with adding the soil all the new drainage was installed. Then came the sand installed 6 inches deep, this should allow for a 4 inch depth of sand. Remember as the water hits the sand it will help pack it tight and in turn the height of sand decreases.
 We will now be moving on to hole number 18 greenside bunker left side.

#9 Green side bunker

 For any of you who played golf here at the club on Thursday and Friday (Nov 11th & 12th), you may have been able to witness some changes happening to the #9 greenside bunker on the left side. We are in the process of rolling the grass down to the bottom of the trap completely around the the bunker.
 This week we completed the first half of the bunker and the next week we'll be digging out the opposite side. So for all of you playing golf on Wednesday (Nov 17th), be aware of machinery at #9 green. We'll be renting a mini excavator to help in speeding up the digging time, we have a bunch of soil to remove.
 Once this process is finished with the mini excavator we then have to finish smoothing out the soil and then replant the sod.
 After this is completed I will then travel out to #9 fairway and see if the sand is visible from the fairway. If it's not, then we'll return to the trap and remove the sod on the end that is facing the fairway and remove the soil to help make the trap visible.

Winter grass

Monday, November 8th the maintenance staff put out the winter seed for the tee boxes on the course and the driving range tee box as well.
 So be aware, if you see water running throughout the day hours we are keeping the seed wet. This is required in order to get the seed to germinate in a appropriate time frame.
 Once we begin to seed sprouting, should be 7 to 10 days later, we then can back off the water and start the mowing.
 Everyone be on the look out on the driving range fairway. I overseed an area from the 200 yard green to the tee box in a shape of a fairway. Hoping that during these winter months while everything is dormant(brown) you'll be able to have a concept of hitting down a fairway, as if you would out on the course.

#7 Green

 Well I'm sure plenty of you have noticed some damage to #7 green. So if you see the Superintendent   putting on his camo gear, painting his face, and loading up some dynamite. Look out Caddy Shack III has been activated.
  Do you realize I worked at that golf course in Southern Florida where Bill Murrey ran around blowing up the course. The name of the club was Rolling Hills Golf Resort in Davie, Florida. Both movies, all the golf course scenes were shot in Florida and all the clubhouse scenes were shot in California.
  Back to the #7 green: What we are dealing with is a mole. Moles will dig tunnels in the ground and move about in them. In most cases not really hurting anything however in this case he's hurting our putting surface. The staff went in and cut the on the edge of the tunnel and lifted the grass to stuff the tunnel full of sand again. Otherwards this is a friendly warning to Mr. Mole "it's know time to move out".
  We'll continue to monitor this critter and if he /she doesn't want to cooperate, then we can look a permanent way of moving him out.

New Projects

As I stated in an earlier blog improvements need to keep happening to improve your visibility to the golf course as a member. So here's a list of thoughts for 2011, Some of these are planned all ready others are being pushed for.

1. Signage
    A. On par 3's-Cart Path Only signs
    B. Marquette Houses in front yard and on #1 Tee-adding the logo and Willow Fork to the opposite sides.
    C. Alligator and snake warning signs for holes #4,5,6.
    D. 90 degree reminder signs through out the course
    E. New directional signage in fairways in front of greens
2. Sand Boxes
    A. Adding two more to the course at #6 Tee area and #16 Tee
3. Rock WF @ #1 blue tee area-Finish up the rock work by cementing them together. Once that stage is completed then filling around the WF inside the circle with green or black gravel.
4. Installation of hazard pipes on hole #4,5,6-
    Hole #6 is completed.
    Hole #5 additional clearance away from the cart path behind the green area leading to #6 tee box. Red 3" markers will be installed as well.
    Hole #4 From the ladies tee to small ditch additional 3" markers will be installed.
                 From the small ditch to the first house on the right will be cleared and then the 3" markers         installed. From there we'll continue down towards #4green and #5 tee clearing any low shrubs or branches. Last we'll go behind #4 green and remove the shrubbery.

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent
 

Improvement Projects

Well folks, plenty of improvements have taken place through out the past couple of months. Many thanks to the MGA for their support.

1. Hole #6-If you have just recently played golf in the last week or two, you were able to witness the clearing of all the underbrush going on out there. The guys here did an excellent job on clearing and cleaning everything up.

2. Hole #6-Red hazard pipes are installed know so that this area is clearly marked what is in play and what area is the hazard. The hazard stakes are 3" pipe concreted in the ground. So they are highly visible.

3. Planters #14 & #9 Tee-New planters are in. Many great comments have been said to this addition. The planter is outlined in rock and and is filled with various types of shrubs and trees. The Little Gem Magnolia's are actually blooming right now.

4. Planter #6 Restroom-This area has been improved from its original look. See the blog posted.

5. WF Rock outline-Across the lake from #1 Blue tee, we have placed a bunch of white rock on the ground with the letters W F and is inclosed in a circle of rocks. More detail on this on the next blog

6. Drainage projects-This has been a great improvement and much need. Hole #10 additional drainage was installed in the fairway between the ladies tee and 200 yards from the green. Additional drainage was installed on the left side of the fairway at the end of the lake Approx. 160 to 170 yards from the green.

 Hole #8-I know all of you haven't forgotten about the lakes that used to stand on the cart paths on hole #8.

Behind #8 tee box and #7 green, remember every time it would rain hard the water was nearly up to your floorboard getting through there and took its sweet time draining off. Mark Hamlin was able to do this area, he had the contacts to get the additional machinery needed for this project. What a great job he did--Thanks Mark.

Hole #8-I know all of you haven't forgotten about all the water that used to stand on the cart path just past the regulation tee box. Remember that was like driving through a river or a lake and it hardly ever went away.

Hole #8-We extended the drainage installed earlier towards the white/gold tee box. There was always this small pocket of water standing on the cart path. It has now been eliminated.

7. Rock yardage markers were just recently re-painted. So they should be visible for you to help you in guidance of accuracy of yardage.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER

Willy Plowman

Golf Course Superintendent

Back on Track

Hey folks,

 Pardon my lack of communication. I completely fell off the wagon and bumped my head and lost sight of the blog. Be looking for the updates to start showing up. I have plenty to share.

My apology

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Beautification Project #6

The MGA funded this beautification project out on hole #6. Check out some of my helpers, Brandon, the younger boy is my son, he's 14. Maddi is daddy's pumpkin, she's 7, and the fella with the cowboy hat on is Steven, he works on the golf course maintenance staff here at Willow Fork CC.

#18 green area

Even I'm excited about this project, I met with the fellows that maintains the bayou and/or drainage ditch that is on the front 9. I showed him the area in front of #18 green and ask if they could put a pipe in the small ditch just outside of the large drainage ditch and then fill it with dirt and replant 419 bermuda, and they sure we can do that.
So folks on July 12th Champions Hydro-Lawn will be working in front of #18 green. They first will have to escavate the ditch in order to get the flow of the water draining in the correct direction. Once this accomplishment is made the pipe will be laid and put together. Then they will fill around the pipe and fill most of the small ditch, however they are required to still have a swale in this area for drainage puposes. Once all of this completed they will plant 419 bermuda grass which is the same type of grass in our fairways. I also have been given permission to install drain boxes in this area as well if needed.This should be a great improvement for the #18th green area.

Landscaping Project

In case you notice some movement around the #6 green restroom. We will be in the process of installing some new landscaping and rock work, thanks to the MGA. The MGA has come forward in funding the cost of the upgrade. So be on the look out for some color and rock work to be added in this area.
This is phase 1 installing all the rock work and this completed. Phase 2 will include the soil and plants and mulch and we hope to finish this off the first or second week of July. Phase 3 will include cementing the rocks together and this will be done in the fall months once the growing season has shut down.

Spraying Weeds on the outer perimeter areas

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

20th Anniversary Flags

Here you are folks the 20th Anniversary flag. I hope you all enjoy this great year in history for Willow Fork Country Club. These should be getting out to the course in mid-April. The pole will be replaced as well colored in gold. For those of you who have been with us since the beginning; How about e-mailing me back and let me know who you are, I would like to know who and how many are still with us.

March & April Greening up!

In just the last two weeks the course itself has began to green up. Thank goodness, I've never been so tired of cold and wet conditions. With this winter making the 5th coldest in recorded history it has shown the toll it can take on grass. In my opinion, the bermudagrass is slow to rebound. So in turn of that, we applied 10 tons of a slow release fertilizer with a pre-emergent herbicide included. This was done on Monday March 15th, so we should begin to see some growth out of the bermuda in 10 to 14 days and continue on 60 to 90 days. As far as the greens, I have confidence everything is in good shape, by looking at the roots and the density of the plant I don't see a problem. I'm happy with the condition they are in coming out of this winter, shortly we will be applying a granular starter fertilizer to kick them off. Now, just a heads up . . . once temperatures do begin to warm up as they are doing now the speed on the greens are going to fluctuate. I prefer not to use the growth regulator until late April or early May, so March and April the putting speeds may vary due to growth. Once we hit the consistent warm temperatures (meaning 10 to 14 days of consistency)I'll sure get them rolling good at that point. Try to be patient, I know we are all pumped to get out and play and putt on the Plowman's product.

Sand Boxes

Yes, another new addition will be added out on the golf course. The MGA approached me on building new sand boxes for the golf course. So with a little thought and imagination the first box is now complete. I will begin construction on the next box shortly. The box is painted black and gold, the box itself is black where the trim, the writing of Sand and the Willow Fork logos on each side are all in gold. An extra addition was added as well on the back side of the box a rack was put in to store sand bottles as well. So in case your in a hurry and gotta get going or you don't want to re-fill the sand bottle you have, there is an area made to hold eight bottles. I will tell you, this is one of the few clubs that I do see divots filled respectively. So be proud of that, it does show that the membership does care on the conditions on the course. Hope you all enjoy just a little more of Plowman's touch.

Marquet Houses

Well be on the look out for the next change up in line for improvement. We have started painting the Marquette house at number one tee, once we are finished with this one we will move to the two located along Westheimer Parkway. The roof top, back board, shingles, and ceiling will be painted black. The pillars, trim, logo, and Willow Fork will be painted in gold. The new signage on the course hold the colors of black and gold as well. Hope you all enjoy the new look.

Signage

For those who have managed to get out and play in this weather in the last month or more, I hoped you have noticed the new signage going up a little at at time. With a little imagination and thought I designed and made these signs and with some help from our mechanic (Will). We have made the signs at Number #1 & #10 tee boxes and some directional signs as well. I'm currently working with the MGA on building some new sand boxes for the course. More on that as I get started on them. Also working with Mark Hamlin on the driving range. We installed some black and white poles on the target greens in hope this would widen your image when hitting the ball at one of these target greens. For sure one thing, if you hit the pole you will know and that means your dead on!

2009 & 2010 Winter

Good golly, will I be happy when the warm temperatures return. This winter has been brutal on grass, constant cold temperatures along with rain. It is official the National weather Service has listed this as the 5th coldest winter in history, 1974 was number four. Sure we can look back and remember some brutal cold conditions we've experienced in the last 36 years, but those conditions were quickly rebounded by warmer conditions, therefore the average winter didn't meet what the winter of 2009 & 2010 has given us. Snow fell in the first week of December, the entire northeastern United States had not recieved any snowfall yet! Well they certainely have made up for it. We have recorded 39 days of frost 47 days of measurable rainfall. By the way we've had 6.50" of rain since December 1st 2009. Soil are temperatures are down in the 50 degree area and nothing is growing. Here's a rule of thumb I tell everyone so that they can understand when grass will actvely grow and green up toatally. Add the night time and daytime temperature together and see wht you get. What you need is at least 150 degrees bbetween the two. So let's take February 24th--Low 33 degrees--Hi 41 degrees add those togehter and you get 74 degrees no where near the 150 degree mark. What the turf needs is 70 degree mornings and 80 or more degree days. So everyone get out there and do a warm temperature dance.

Hole # 18 Bunker

In case any of you noticed we changed up the face on the bunker at number 18 green on the right side. We removed the sod from around the trap trimmed away some dirt and replanted the sod. The bunker did not change in size we simply just rolled the grass down to the height of the sand in the bunker. I can tell you this, two inches of rain fell on Thurday, February 11th and there was no erosion from the rainfall. within minutes the bunker was raked and ready for play! I plan to approach the Greens Committee to put a plan together on how many bunkers and which particular bunkers we agree on.

Tree Trimming

Most all the tree trimming has been completed through out the entire course. I'm sure there's got to be a couple we've missed. When we find them we'll get em trimmed. We are currently in process of grinding all those trimmed branches into mulch. The Men's Golf Association provided us with the chipper. The additional mulch will be around the restrooms at hole #6,#10, and #14. Also the hedgelines on #10,#13,#16,#18 tee box as well. That will be our start then the MGA along along with the Greens Committee will select the remaining area's. So if you hear some loud noises out on the course chances are you are near the chipper.

Hole #6 The Chipper

For those of you getting out to play golf, when you get to hole #6 take a look to the right of the cart path along the fairway. The Men's Golf Association provided a chipper for us in help to clean up this area. We agreed to have the chipper for four weeks so we needed to get as much done as possible. I will tell you this, everything that has been put there in the last two years is gone plus going back many more years of piling up cut branches. At this point we are know in the process of fine tuning whatever material is left on the ground. Plus, moving the mulch to different areas around the course. The MGA Board along with the Greens Committee Board worked together in deciding where the mulch should be put out. Our beginning stages will start with the three restrooms on the course then the hedgee lines on #10, #13, #16, & #18 tee boxes. Once these areas are completed we will meet again to decide the next location. Just for reference: The remaining branches on hole #5 will be cleaned up during the fall months once the grass has stopped actively growing.