Leveling Tee Boxes

We have began to level out some of the uneven tee boxes. Hole #5 & #7 gold tee box is completed. Each tee box, we will inspect around the sprinklers, quik coupler, and the level of the ground. From there we'll repair any uneven ground to help your stance while on the tee boxes. Thanks Willy Plowman

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming has began here at Willow Fork Country Club. We will be starting on hole #10 and contuning with #11,12,16,17. Once we finish up #17 we will then evaluate the remaining holes to decide where we need to be next. Thanks Willy Plowman

Greens Aerification

 On August 12th, the greens were aerified for the 3rd time and should be the final time for the year. All went well during aerification and the greens are recovering well. It has been 2 weeks now and I'm  rather pleased with the recovery.
 On Monday August 26th we will double verti cut, double cut, top dress, and roll the greens. Then the following day I will spray a fertilizer application with the growth regulator at the full rate. We will also be lowering the height of cuts throughout the remainder of August. Currently we are set .117 and be lowering to .109, that's just above an 1/10th of an inch.
 So September and October should be setting up nicely.

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Back in operation

 My computer had been acting strangely here lately. Especially if I tried to enter the blog and attempt to enter articles onto the blog. A couple of days ago I came into the office to use the computer and was completely blocked out by a virus.
 After a full day of the corporate folks working on it, I was able to get back in it again. So we'll see if all works out. Thanks for being patient in waiting for a post.

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Greens Management In July

This coming Monday July 15th will be three weeks since the greens were last aerified. The putting surfaces have smoothed out nicely and are now beginning to gain speed. Management to this turf still continues.
On Monday we will be double vertical cutting the greens, to help keep the grain and thatch under control.  From there, the greens will be double cut, top dressed-lightly, double rolled, sprayed with fertilizer and a growth regulator. These are a few of the ultimate steps in getting the putting surfaces to rolling smoothly and rolling out.
These steps will be repeated on weekly or bi-weekly pending on the putting speeds and performances  plus monitoring the root system for new growth. My goal is to provide nice greens for all of the members here at Willow Fork Country Club and to provide a nice golf course overall as well.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER OF WILLOW FORK COUNTRY CLUB!

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Roller Machine

THE ROLLER IS BACK INTO OPERATION!!!

Finally after eight weeks of waiting for the hydraulic pump to be shipped out, it has arrived and has been installed. (In case your wondering, the pump came from Australia, no air shipments). So know there's two brand new Toro mowers and the practically brand new roller in operation mowing and rolling the greens. 

AERIFICATION UPDATE

 After 10 days the greens have healed well. We did begin mowing them three days after aerification and after ten days I have lowered the height of cut from .128 to .117. One more week and I'll restart the Primo (growth regulator) applications and as stated the roller is back into action on daily basis.

DISEASE UPDATE

 The circles on the greens are from a disease called Fairy Ring. There will be three application of a fungicide put out. The first was applied four days after aerification and ten to fourteen days later a second application will be applied. Then ten to fourteen days later a third application will be applied.

BLUE COLOR ALONG FENCE-LINES

Some of you may have a noticed a blue color along the homeowners fence lines. I have began to spray this area with RoundUp and a Pre-emerge mainly to cut back in our labor output. It's a win win deal for the homeowner plus the golf course maintenance. Overall it will stop invasion of grass from the golf course into your planter beds plus your fence line will not be overpowered with weeds or high grass.

Record Heat

SATURDAY JUNE 29th

107 DEGREES 

SHATTERS

RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE

OF 103 DEGREES!

Good golly it is hot out there. Along with this record high temperatures came low humidity. The low humidity may sound all good but growing turf in an area that is normally high in humidity is not good, it's kind of like you have to change your whole management strategy in maintaining moisture in your turf just to keep it from burning up. Sure, when you cut grass at 2" high-not that big of a deal.

When maintaining turf as low as 1/8" to 1/2" height, especially the 1/8" height of cut on the greens the low humidity is sucking the moisture out of that plant like you removing the liquid from a drink with a straw. So, it's absolutely critical that moisture levels are checked and maintained throughout the day hours. So if you see us hand watering or sprinklers going; please understand we are doing what have to do to keep the needed moisture required for the plant to survive in heat conditions as we are currently experiencing.

Thank You

Willy Plowman

Golf Course Superintendent

Golf Cart Repairs

 The golf course maintenance department no longer has anyone employed that volunteers there time to work on golf carts on there own time. I went to google and found these repair shops that were in this area. Besides these that I listed, there were several other locations as well located in South Houston, Nasa, Clear Lake City, Texas City, Conroe, Cleveland.

LoneStar Golf Cart Repairs
3147 Ave. J
Pattison, Texas 77466
281-723-2531
located just north of Brookshire

Alberts Golf Cart Repair Service
802 Summer Park Dr.
Stafford, Texas 77477
281-499-3707
located near River Bend Country Club

CBC Golf Cart Services
203 Ulrich St.
Sugar Land, Texas 77498
281-494-1164

Golf Cars Of Houston
11219 North Fwy.
Houston, Texas 77037
832-448-5340


E&E Golf Cart Services
8839 Noah Landings Dr.
Houston, Texas 77064

150 temperature degree rule

I'm always preaching the 150 temperature degree rule and since the last week of May we have been there. The fairways are shaping up nicely and roughs are growing. It sure does help when temperatures make or exceed the needed amount.
 What is the 150 temperature rule? Add the night time and day time temperatures together and you want them to equal 150 or better. That combination temperature makes ideal conditions for turf to grow in and it's amazing the difference in the turf comparing to April and May. Here's a few examples;
Low 55 Hi 80 = 135 degrees--not good
Low 60 Hi 85 = 145 degrees--turf will begin to green up and grow slightly vertical
Low 65 Hi 90 = 155 degrees--turf is now beginning grow and recover from winter time damage.
Low 75 Hi 95 = 155+++--turf is now well on its way to growing.
 In April and May the temperatures were well below normal. When we aerified greens in April, three days later the night time temperatures dropped to the upper 30's-NOT GOOD!!! Then a week later another front blew in dropping the lows to the 40's. So it took nearly four weeks to recover from that aerification. The average temperature for March was 64 degrees and April  was 73 degrees and May was 82 degrees. So far in June the average temperature has been 89 degrees, yea buddy that's growing conditions. That's what makes turf grow warm temperatures!!!! I wish I had a magic wand to make it all perfect but folks the bottom line is I depend on Mother Nature, she's in control.
 On top of all that, Thursday June 20th we applied 10 tons of fertilizer to the tee tops, tee slopes, roughs, fairways, and green slopes. That will help in thickening up the rough and making that golf shot a little more challenging. Thank you to all of you who communicate with me and understanding why course conditions are prime at times and at other times why course conditions are not prime.

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Greens aerification

 Monday, June 24th we performed the unthinkable, the most unloved part of our business. Yes, that means the greens got aerified. This is our second of the three to happen. The next scheduled aerification is in mid-August.
 This particular aerification, we went with a lighter top dressing base just so we could begin mowing the greens quicker than we usually do. in fact, on Wednesday we sent the mower out to start mowing the greens and man did the greens smooth out nicely.
 We also applied .75 pounds of Nitrogen to help in speeding up the recovery. By Wednesday I could already see the greens changing color to a darker green plus I could see where the holes have already began to recover. On Monday July 1st we will top dress again to help us get a smoother putting surface.
 There is a disease present on the greens at this time it is called Fairy Ring. Fairy Ring is extremely difficult to control and also it is extremely expensive to treat. On Thursday June 27th I will be treating these circles and will be watering them in right away. Then in two weeks I will retreat with a second application and then two later I'll retreat a last time. There's $6000.00 sprayed in fungicides in  six weeks, OUCH!
 Overall, feeling good about the aerification, my goal now is to get the greens recovered and get a smooth rolling surface. If, needed additional top dressing will be applied.

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Fence lines

 Many of you may have noticed a blue color on the ground along homeowners fence lines. This is an area that gets pushed aside due to the lack of labor. Then finally we just have to cut back in mowing the course and move a couple of employees into weed eating fence lines.
 A couple of years ago I had started spraying Round Up with a Pre-emerge block on the back side of planters along the fence lines. This is a win win deal for homeowner and for our department. For the homeowner, it keeps the invasion of bermudagrass from the golf course moving in the planters. For our department, it cuts back on the amount of time weed eating fence lines. So it's a win win deal!!!
 This year, I have started spraying many of the entire fence lines. Basically if the homeowner is not going to keep the fence line weed eated on the golf course side, then likely I will spray it with the Round Up. I do know several of the homeowners who do maintain both sides of the fence and those areas will not be sprayed.  So far holes #1,2,3,8,9,10,13,14,18 are fully completed, holes #4,5,7,11,12 are partially completed. Then holes #15,16,17 are next.
 Keep in mind, Round Up will not kill Roses, evergreen plants, trees, even flowers are safe as long as they are not directly sprayed. There's many planters I have sprayed for several years now that no effects have taken place. I even simply lifted the flowers off of the ground while sprayed under them then gently placing them back and results have been good. I would never intentionally spray a plant in your planter bed or spray your lawn to kill it. I try to be as careful as I can while doing this spray, however I will tell you I'm not perfect, so sometimes I do spray some of your grass. Relax, it will recover.
Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

An appeal for the return of golf course etiquette

 Practicing good etiquette on the course seems to be slipping across the board, regardless of handicap and the timing could not be worse. All but wealthiest courses are finding it harder to make profit these days, with large cost increases in fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, and labor. Since labor almost always represents the largest budget item, it typically is the first to be targeted when budget reductions are neccessary.
 When forced to choose, most courses with reduced available labor place a higher priority on agronomic necessities than the niceties of completing tasks that good golfers normally do for themselves. Unless we can somehow encourage players to become better golfers, the overall quality of many courses will decline rapidily during tough economic times.

Consider the following definitions of good players and good golfers:

GOOD PLAYERS; have low handicaps, usually hit the ball a mile, and occasionally post low scores.

GOOD GOLFERS; fill divots, repair ball marks, and practice good golf etiquette each and every time they are on the course.

Filling Divits
 Golfers often ask if they should replace their divots, fill them with whatever has been provided in the divot buckets, or just leave them for the crew?
 The best option is to fill the divot with the material provoded by the maintenance staff. Replacing a divot is the second best option, assuming the divot is deep enough to include a significant amount of soil. Without the soil, the divot quickly dries out and is pulled back out of the ground during the next mowing.
Do-Fill divots with the material provoded.
Don't-overfill the hole, which results in a sand mound that can dull or damage the mowing units.

BALL MARKS
 Few aspects of etiquette generate more discusiion thatn the fixing of ball marks, and even superintendents disagree on the best method on ball mark repair. The inability to agree on a single best method stems from the fact that ball marks are not all the same.
On soft greens, a shot that descends from a very steep angle produces a deep almost circular ball mark. On the same green, a shot that comes in low and hard will produce an elongated tearing of the green and it often removes a plug of grass and soil.
 Compacted soils needs to be lifted gently and the sides raised of the ball mark need to be gently pushed back towards the center. The elongated marks need to be kneaded back together by pushing in from the sides, stretching the turf rather than tearing it. replacing removed turf seldom accomplishes much, so it's best to leave it out.
Do-Restore surface smoothness by gently pushing from sides and in some cases lifting the compressed area.
Don't-Aggressively twist (as is so often done by pro's on national television) which does more harm than good.

BUNKERS
 Among the first rules of etiquitte taught to young players are to rake the bunker smooth of footprints and repair divot after a shot. Unfortunately, either through laziness or disdain, many players refuse to extend this courtesy to their fellow golfers. Shovong sand around with your foot or a clubhead is no sustitute for raking.
 However, for those of us whop are willing to rake, it is important to do the job correctly. Avoid pulling sand down the bunker face when raking. Doing so results in very shallow sand on the face, leading to exposed soil, which is easily eroded.
 It is equally important to avoid pulling sand out of the bunker and onto adjacent turf. Piles of sand around the bunker edges can cause seroius damage to mowing equipment. Sand rakes out of the bunkers will also result in poorly defined bunker edges, whether the ball is in or out of the hazard.
Do-Push sand up the bunker face and exit from the low side of the bunker.
Don't-Climb out of the high side of the bunker, which causes damage to the to liners and grass faces.

CARTS
 Nothing causes more damage to golf courses than the improper use of golf carts. Superintendents expend many labor hours repairing this damage and trying to prevent it in the first place. The problems are many and most could be easily prevented with common sense.
 One of the most common is players driving their carts on the banks or slopes of tees and greens along with parking the cart just off the cart path where one tire is on the turf and the other tire is on the cart path. Take a look around the next time you play and notice all the wear and tear along the cart paths at the tee's and green's. Driving too close to the green is particularly troublesome, since the wear and tear on the turf in this area directly affects playing qaulity. Sure ropes, signs, and painted lines could be there to direct the golfer however they are frequently ignored by players who are too lazy to walk from the cart path to the tee and/or green.
 Unthinking cart drivers frequently pull two wheels off the path presumably to make room for other carts to pass. Since they invariably do this next to greens and tees, it is no coincidence that ruts are accomplished in these areas immediately adjacent to the cart path. Although this is a great practice if you have a flat on the highway, it is uneccessary on the golf course. Seldom a marshall, drink cart, or maintemance vehicle needs to get by--they can easily pull off the cart on the opposite side of the tee and/or green and go around the parked cart--which has all four tires on the cart path.
Do-Avoid wet areas, stay off green and tee slopes, park all four tires on the cart path, and follow all directional signs.
Don't-Pull halfway off the path, as it unneccessary and causes damage to highly visble areas.

REMEMBER SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERE

*  Picking up broken tees helps prevent costly damage to mower repairs

*  Not overfilling trash containers prevents trash from blowing across the course.

*  Replacing a sign or rope/stake that has been knocked down keeps the course looking neat and helps

prevent damage.
* If an irrigation system leak is spotted, let a maintenance staff worker know about it or contact the golf shop.
* Lose the HERD mentality when driving your cart--avoid following the same path off of the cart path as thaose before you.
* Avoid taking divots on your practice swing!
* Chip to the chipping green -- not the practice green!
* When practicing putting, avoid standing on one place for extended periods of time--doing so can cause damage to the green.
* Put bunker rakes back along the edges of the sand trap and repair your damage to the bunker.

USGA Is It Really Spring?

By Bud White, USGA Director, Mid-Continent Region

April 27, 2013

 This spring has been a particularly difficult time for golf courses with warm season fairways and roughs in the Mid-Continent region. Even as far south as San Antonio, we have continued to experience cold nights which have more than negated the few warm days we have had this spring. As late as April 25, the low in Dallas was 38 °F. As a result, there has been no active bermudagrass growth to date.
 Turfgrass researchers have found that until the daytime high and nighttime low temperatures add up to 150 bermudagrass cannot begin active regrowth. This active growth includes roots, rhizomes, and stolons, and this will not happen until adequate temperatures are experienced.
 This regrowth response in the spring has historically been a frustrating point for golfers in the South and transition zone because when the bermudagrass greens up, they expect the density and quality to respond equally. These expectations are heightened by the intermittent warm spring days that draw golfers to the course. However, it is critical to help them understand that night temperatures are the most influential on bermudagrass regrowth. The 150 degree rule must be sustained for several days before the response actually begins to occur. For example, even if daytime temperatures reach 80 °F, the nighttime temperatures must be at 70 °F for active bermudagrass growth. When reviewing the temperature ranges we have experienced through late March and all of April, you can clearly see we have not reached this threshold as yet. In north Texas for example, the average temperature in April of 2012 was 78 °F. In contrast, the average temperature in April of 2013 has been 69 °F.
 The slow growth of bermudagrass this spring has been an even greater problem for courses that suffered damage late last year or over the winter. Although bermudagrass has greened up, until temperatures rise and conditions stay warm it will not begin the lateral growth necessary to cover damaged areas. Superintendents and golfers must realize that no amount of water or fertilizer can force this lateral growth to occur. In fact, trying to force growth before temperatures rise can cause more damage later in the year.

 Just to add on to this article today is May 3rd and the morning temperature is 46 degrees with a high of 60; that equals 106 degrees-infact the windchill at 6:00 am was 31 degrees. Saturday May 4th, forecasted low 40 degrees high 70 that equals 110 degrees, not till Thursday May 9th temperatures are forecsted to reach the 150 temperature degree rule.
 So please keep in mind when you play the course and your wondering why the grass is not lush in the fairways or why the roughs are not growing or why the greens are not healing up after the aerification-like they always have, the answer is simple bermudagrass is not receiving the required temperature to actively grow!!!

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Rain storm in April

 I need to go out of town more often in order to receive rainfall. This weekend I went to my mom's house in the outback woods of East Texas up on Toledo Bend. So after visiting Louisiana for several hours I got back to my moms house and decided to watch the weather; and holy cow! I was hearing like up to 6" in Katy and up to 9" in Sugar Land.
 Once I did return to Katy I was able to receive the rainfall totals. At the course here we received 3.85", Sweetwater Country Club received 3.75", however just to the east of Sweetwater up to 9.50" of rain fell.
 The rainfall was greatly needed, it filled all of our lakes so Thank you Mother Nature. Keep the good work up.

Greens aerification update

 Monday April 15th we had aerified the greens and all went well. The greens are well on there way to recovery.

4 days later the temperatures plunged, a cold front moved in and we experienced record low daytime and nighttime temperatures. How about a high of 51 degrees on Friday April 19th then Saturday morning April 20th, the low temperature was 36 degrees, we even had some frost on the course. The greens basically shut down growing.

2 days later April 22nd the temperatures had rebounded slightly. Greens began to show signs of rebounding to recovery.

Then 2 days later April 23rd another cold front blew in and Wednesday April 24th the high temperature was 59 degrees. The greens shut down once again.

Everyone please remember the 150 degree rule that I preach. Add the nighttime and daytime temperatures together and we need to equal 150 degrees or higher on consistent basis in order to grow turf. So far since February, we have managed to make just 6 days on the 150 degree rule.

Some good news, the temperatures are forecasted to reach the 145 to 155 degree area after Saturday April 27th and continue to warm up slightly. Of course, remember there is no control of the weather so we are always at its mercy.

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

New Equipment

Willow Fork is in line to receive three pieces of equipment in 2013!

Roller-our unit is riding on 10 years old and is history. We will be receiving the new version of the roller shortly.

Riding greens/tee mowers-our last of four mowers is nearly history, so Century Golf is stepping up and purchasing Willow Fork 2 riding mowers for the greens and tees. This is a great purchased for us and I am looking forward in getting these machines here!!!
We still have one original mower on site and that one will be used in helping to mow the tee tops, collars, and approaches.

Century Golf can make additional Capital Improvements because of members like you. With you being a member of Willow Fork and helping to keep a full club; This helps a bunch in funding these types of improvements. So as I always say

THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER!!!

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Greens aerification

Monday April 15th the greens were aerified with a 3/8" side eject tine on 2" centers. Then sand was used to fill the holes. The sand is dragged into the holes throughout the day until we get a smooth consistent surface. From there we'll bring out the blower and clean up any grass clipping left behind as well as any large amounts of sand left over. We then will water the greens during the later part of the day as well the night hours.
Once these procedures have been completed on the first day, we usually have a fairly good surface recovered and ready for golf to take place. For the next couple of days we will continuously drag the sand around on the green to help in leveling and/or getting the sand even through out the green, this helps big time in the coming future of the green speeds and developing a smooth putting surface. When we finish dragging and blowing the sand we then bring in the roller to help in smoothing the surface for better putting consistency. This is generally repeated until the sand had diminished into the holes and the mower can be brought out and the roller contunues day after day.
I know no one enjoys or looks forward to aerification but bottom line is; If you want to have top quality putting greens you have to do this. I thank all of you for your patience and understanding, the golf course maintenance crew is working in full stride to get the greens back to top quality.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER!!!

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Take the 10 gallon water conservation challenge!

 Water plays an important role in our lives...in fact, no living thing can survive without it! We can all learn to use water wisely. If each of us used 10 gallons less each day, think how much water we could save by the end of a week! or a month! or a year! It is amazing how fast the savings will add up.

1. Take shorter showers = 4-5 gallons per minute.

2. Tell an adult about a leaky faucet or "running" toilet = repair will save 2 to 200 gallons per day.

3. Use a broom instead of a water hose to clean the driveway and sidewalks = 9 gallons per minute.

4. Ask an adult to adjust the irrigation system controller to water a maximum of twice a week - can save up to 40% of the water used for this purpose. Turn systems OFF during winter months - October - February.

5. Only run the dishwasher with a full load = 12 gallons per load.

6. Wait for a full load before running the washing machine = up to 43 gallons per load

7. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth = 4 gallons per minute.

SEE HOW EASY IT WILL BE TO SAVE 10 gallons a day!

Additional tips for the disposal of grease and leftovers from TCEQ...

1. Place grease and used cooking oils in covered collection containers. Let them solidify on the counter or in the refrigerator before placing them in the garbage.
2. Scrape food scraps into trash cans or garbage bags; minimize the use of the disposal. Non-meat and diary food items may be placed in a compost pile.
3. Remove oil or grease from dishes, pans, and griddles by using a rubber spatula or paper towel to absorb it instead of rinsing it down the drain.
4. Do not pour cooking oil and grease down the drain...ever!
5. Overall, be careful what you scrape into the disposal. Once the walls of the pipes begin to clog up, all kinds of discarded scraps can make a bad problem a whole lot worse.
6. Don't run hot water over dishes, pans, fryers or griddles to wash oil and grease down the drain.

Irrigation 101

"Top 5 things to do if you have an irrigation system"

 The North Bend Water Authorty sends out a mailer to the homeowners and I received mine. There was a few topics to bring out that I see improvements could be made on the homeowners part. On the golf course there are particular houses that continue to irrigate there yard night after night, even after heavy rains. So basically, the sprinklers are never turned off; just imagine if the golf course followed the same rules and watered night after night. Imagine all the calls I would receive from the homeowners and/or members saying "why are watering so much". Here's a good example on hole #3 on the right side, there's a house or two that waters weather it's shining or raining and the right side of the cart path along the fence line remains flooded. Once this area can no longer hold the water it crosses the cart path and begins it drainage onto the playing areas of the course. Just imagine if I watered the golf course the same way they water there lawn, that would not be good the course would basically be unplayable.

 How offer does your irrigation system come on? You keep reminding yourself to check the system controller, but it never seems to get done. "It's not hurting the grass," you think "so what's the harm?" Overwatering encourages turf to grow shallow roots which causes the grass to stress if water isn't available.

 There are a number of things that you can do to maximize the use of your irrigation system and avoid wasting water and your money. Adopt a "conservative" watering cycle, using your house number water no more than twice week on a odd/even schedule. You can even skip a day if your grass doesn't need watering.

1. IRRIGATION SYSTEM LEAKS

 What are some signs of an irrigation system leak? How about running off your yard onto the street if a pipe is completely broken. Or maybe an area of your yard is staying wetter than any other spot, even if the controller is turned off. 

 Unfortunately when your system is underground it is difficult to find leaks until they appear. So, if you see these potential problems get it repaired immediately and also get any of your leaky heads replaced as well.

2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

 Avoid watering your lawn during peak water usage hours. Irrigate say 4:00 a.m. Let there be plenty of water pressure for you and your neighbors.

 Timing is difficult, the key is only to water as long as it takes to get moisture down into the soil, and that could be as little as 10 minutes or as much as 30 minutes, avoid allowing water to run into the street or onto someone else's property.

3. HYDROZONE YOUR YARD

 When it comes to water, shrub areas need a different amount of water than the turf needs. Shrubs or turf exposed to afternoon sun need more water than those protected by the shade. Yet, when it comes to watering the yard and plants the same amount of water is applied to each. There's a tendency to put the same amount of water on turf as we do on the flower beds.

4. OVER-SPRAYING - WHAT A WASTE!

 The TCEQ rules governing irrigation in Texas do not allow spraying water over surfaces such as walls, fences, sidewalks, and streets. The reason for this rule is simple - it just wastes water! If your sprinkler system is set it irrigate at one inch, throws over sidewalks during that cycle, it will waste around 220 gallons. This water runs down the sidewalk into the storm sewer or runs into an area that  is saturated, either way - WHAT A WASTE! 

 Another point to consider is that watering your lawn is like running a marathon. You need to train the roots to grow deeper into the soil. If you water everyday, the roots will stay near the surface where the water is. By skipping days between watering periods, the roots will begin to grow deeper to reach water. The deeper the roots grow, the longer your grass can go between watering.

5. THE EFFECTS OF PRESSURE ON IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

 Irrigation systems do not perform we'll when the pressure is to high. Consider having your irrigation system evaluated by a Licensed Irrigator to determine how you can conserve water wasted due to high pressure at the nozzle.

 Remember, when all is said and done...irrigation systems don't waste water  - people do! Get acquainted with - and take control of - your irrigation system controller. 

Come on Spring

 I will tell you I am so ready for the air temperatures to reach the 150 degree rule. The weather/temperatures have been so up and down in the last 30 to 45 days. That is making the transition from winter into spring difficult to happen.
 The greens are confused, they don't know whether to grow or stay in a dormant stage. Just a week ago we had high temperatures reaching into the low 80's and the bam high temperatures dropped into the 50's North winds 15-25 m.p.h. for 2 days. In fact in my home town of Santa Fe, just south of here there was softball size hail reported.
 The weather channel in predicting yet another cool down the same week the golf course maintenance staff is preparing the golf course for the Member/Member Tournament. So the green up to the bermudagrass is delayed longer and without green up very little if no turf is actively growing.
 Remember the air temperature rule of thumb; add the night time and the daytime temperatures together. You are looking for 150 degrees combined to have a steady active growing turf.

Example:

Low: 50  High: 68  = 118 degrees combined--turf will remain shutdown.
Low: 60  High: 78  = 138 degrees combined--turf will begin to green and show signs of life
Low: 70  High: 80  = 150 degrees combined--turf will actively be growing and turf recovery now begins.

Thank
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Artifact Excursion

 My daughter and I took a drive towards the Colombus area and spent the day looking for creek beds that has rock laying in the bottom and found some nice pieces of petrified wood and some bones.

Away from the golf course, my hobby

Probably, one of my top hobbies is to collect historical items. That could mean petrified wood, fossils, arrowheads, coins, pieces and bits of history; just anything interesting.  The Brazos River area; history says that San Felipe, Texas was founded in 1824, the town served as the capital of Stephen F. Austin's first colony and was the founding spot of the Texas Rangers.The oldest post office in Texas is located in San Felipe.  I went to the Brazos River last week and I collected approximately 125 pieces of petrified wood along with some coral. I spent a hour and a half there at one sight and was rather productive on collecting rocks.

 I am always looking for sites to go and search for artifacts. If anyone has land nearby, in the hill country, along a river, East Texas and would allow me to explore there property, please let me know.

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent



Upcoming fertilizer applications

1. Greens-a granular fertilizer with the micro nutrient package included to help in boosting a few deficiencies in Potassium and Magnesium. Will be applied in late March to early April.
***Our first greens aerification is scheduled for Monday April 15th.
2. Driving range tee-fertilizer application scheduled for the last week of March and then we will repeat every 30 days to help in recovering turf from divots.
3. Tee's-fertilizer application scheduled for early to mid April.
4. Fairways & Roughs-fertilizer applicatin scheduled for May.

Willy Plowman

#18 Greenside bunker removed the huge facing due to erosion problems and rolled the sod. 

Greens Drainage Completed

Here's what we found on the greens drainage. All drainage has been repaired and so far 2013 is looking promising for the putting surfaces particularly on holes #3,4,5,7,14.

#1 Green-found crushed pipe in front of green and tree roots filled in pipe.

Pipe found filled with tree roots.









Pipe and fitting crushed.

#2 green found tree roots in pipe. No pictures available.

#3 Green found pipe crushed on the approach in front of the green, roots filled pipe. No pictures available.

#4 Green found pipe and fittings separated. No pictures available.

#5 Green found crushed pipe in several places, greens drainage actually went into the bunker drainage however that pipe was crushed as well plus found 2 drain pipes cut.

Pipe found crushed plus it was not even connected to the main drainage line.








Just below is the new main drain line installed.

Main drain line coming off of #5 green.

#6 Green found the end of the pipe crushed.

#7 Green was good. That was a surprise???

#8 Green found the pipe filled with tree roots. A total new drainage line was installed from the front of the green to the 24" drain basin.

 Our first discovery the pipe was filled with water and tree roots was the issue.

 New drainage line installed.

#9 found the pipe with a huge elevation rise plus filled with tree roots along the lake bank.

Huge rise in pipe coming out of drain basin.

#10 found the drain line simply dead ended into a crushed 12" drain basin in the rough on the left side of the fairway 50 to 75 yards out from the green. Remember the spot that was always wet in the trees on the left side that was the drainage. A new line has been installed to a 24" concrete basin that empties in the lake on #10.

New drain line installed.

Front of #10 green.

#11 found pipe and fittings crushed at the front edge of the green.

 Front of #11 green.

Pipe and tee crushed.

#12 found the pipe collided into the 2" irrigation pipe. On one side of the pipe the drain line was set at level on the opposite it was 8" above the pipe. Folks, water does not drain going up!!!

Really? Lazy way to do things.

#13 was actually a surprise to all of us. Back in October, we came in one morning and the front of the green was flooded, the turf was floating. Located the drain line in the 24" concrete drain basin and not a drop of water was coming out. We then started tracking the line, once we found the troubled area (which was filled with tree roots) we cut open the line and a huge rush of water drained out of the drain pipe for nearly 3 hours. No pictures available.

#14 green found the pipe filled with tree roots. No pictures available.

#15 found damaged pipe in front of the green.

 Inconsistency in the level plus hole found in pipe.

 Pipe damaged.

#16 green was GOOD!!!

#17 green found pipe filled tree roots.

 4" pipe filled tree roots.

Wye filled with tree roots.

#18 green found the pipe and fitting crushed.

 In front of #18 green.

Wye and pipe crushed

Putting green found the first pipe dead ended and the second pipe was cut.

The pipe below is the actual drain line found cut and dead ended.

Second drain line found cut.

This was an outstanding project and took many of us by surprise. My hope that this is the reason Willow Fork has suffered so many years of dealing with greens like #4,5,14, and the putting green with disease year after year. Folks, after 2012 I had enough and it was time to get to work.

Only time will tell us now, if we figured it out. Just for once--be YES.

Thank all of you for your patience in playing golf around the maintenance staff during this event.

Willy Plowman

Golf Course Superintendent

Things I Wish My Superintendent Understood.

Perspectives from the green committee.

  The relationship between the superintendent and green committee is vital to the successful operation of any golf facility. Superintendents like to think they are in the golf course maintenance business, but they are really in the customer service business. As any successful business person knows, an important part of good customer service is listening to your customers. Superintendents usually hear from the very vocal 10 percent of golfers or committee members who are not shy about expressing their opinions. But what is the other 90 percent thinking?

  In the article “The Things I Wish My Green Committee Understood,” Jim Skorulski surveyed several superintendents to identify the key attributes of a successful committee from the superintendent’s perspective. In this article, however, we take the opposite approach and reveal the qualities and skills of a successful superintendent from the perspective of the green committee. This information was derived from a 2012 survey of green committee members in the eastern and western United States. The following questions were posed to this group:

 What does a superintendent need to understand regarding your perception of the golf course and enjoyment of the game?

 What do superintendents do well, and what can they do better to improve the working relationship with the green committee?
The feedback was very revealing. Based on the responses, five broad categories emerged:

Playing golf and seeing the course from the golfer’s perspective.

Communication.

Management.

Agronomy/technical skills.
Personal qualities.


SEEING THE COURSE FROM THE GOLFER’S PERSPECTIVE     
 This was one of the most common responses in the survey. Green committee members want the superintendent to play golf and have an appreciation of how the course plays. They want superintendents to “take off their agronomy glasses and experience the course as a golfer.” Testing the course with a club in hand reveals much more than just the appearance and quality of the turf. It enhances the ability of the
superintendent to relate to golfers and influences his or her performance in the other categories mentioned, i.e., communication, management, agronomy, and personal qualities. As one green committee member noted, “A good chef never lets food out of the kitchen without tasting it; likewise, good superintendents should test their product on a regular basis.”

COMMUNICATION

  The responses stressed that superintendents need to be good communicators. Golfers and green committee

members are not always well versed in the complexities and duties associated with maintaining a golf course, but they want their observations and concerns to be taken seriously, and most are eager to learn. Issues most often mentioned include:

Superintendents should take the time to listen to golfers and understand their vision of the golf course. Whether their opinions are right or wrong, this is a prime opportunity for superintendents to educate golfers about maintenance programs and existing conditions on the course.

Superintendents should be able to communicate the vision and direction of the maintenance program. Golfers and committees want to know the superintendent has a well-thoughtout plan for maintaining the golf course both now and in the future.

Avoid speaking “turfease.” Using overly technical terms is a turnoff for golfers and committee members.Although superintendents may feel they are demonstrating their knowledge when mentioning terms like trinexapac-ethyl and Rhizoctonia solani, non-technical terms like “plant growth regulator” and “disease” are preferred when talking to committee members.


MANAGEMENT SKILLS

  Green committee members were well aware that the maintenance of a golf course involves many moving parts. Superintendents must have good management and leadership skills to guide the staff and efficiently manage resources. Specific areas mentioned in the survey include:

Proper marking of the course was the most frequent response in this category. In addition to being vitally important for playing the game according to the Rules of Golf, proper course marking adds definition to the course and lets golfers know that the superintendent is paying attention to the details. It also adds to theenjoyment of a round of golf.

Committees want a superintendent who not only knows how to solve problems, but one who can “see around the corner” to predict and prevent future problems.

Budget management and financial responsibility are critical skills, especially in a down economy. Committees expect that the superintendent accepts this charge seriously and takes the necessary steps to properly manage resources and avoid wasting money.
The image presented by the staff and having a motivated workforce are important to green committee members. They want to see that the staff take pride in their work.

Committees recognize the knowledge and talent of superintendents, yet they understand that it is impossible to know it all. Superintendents should not be afraid to ask for help when needed. Committees felt that this was a sign of strength and not weakness.

AGRONOMY AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

  It was very clear that green committee members value and admire the agro-nomic skills of superintendents. There was widespread recognition that the job of the superintendent is highly technical and requires a wide range of expertise. Responses to the survey indicated that superintendents should focus on honing and updating their skills in the following areas:
Participation in continuing education to stay up to date on technology and information that can help the course.
The superintendent must be computer literate. It is no longer an option — it is a necessity.
Responses from both the East Coast and West Coast emphasized the need for superintendents to be expert water managers. Although committee members recognized that proper water management was important for growing healthy turf, they were more focused on the role that water plays in the overall playability of the golf course.
Although the term “consistency” can be interpreted in many different ways when it comes to golf course conditioning, committee members mentioned the importance of establishing programs that promote the consistency of greens and bunkers.

PERSONAL QUALITIES  An unexpected yet heartening aspect of the survey was the number of responses expressing care and concern for the well-being of superintendent. It was clear from the responses that committee members cared about their superintendents and did not want to see them overly stressed or burned out. Specific personal qualities mentioned most often included:
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Committee members recognized that it is healthy and important for the superintendent to have a meaningful and rewarding life outside the golf course.
Demonstrate enjoyment and enthusiasm for the job. It was important for committee members to know that the superintendent enjoys his job and fosters that same attitude with the staff.
Have fun! It was clear that the people responding to this survey loved golf, and they want their superintendents to love it too and have fun performing their duties.

CONCLUSION  The insights gained from this informal survey were very revealing and can be beneficial to superintendents as a tool for self-evaluation and further discussion with members of the green committee. It was clear that committee members recognized the agronomic expertise of superintendents but wanted them to focus on adapting that knowledge to benefit the playing

quality of the golf course. Critical to this endeavor was the need for superintendents to play the golf course on a routine basis to relate agronomic issues to how the golf course plays and to the game of golf in general. The need for effective communication was another main point of emphasis. Superintendents can have the greatest agronomic program in are not listening to the concerns of golfers and communicating the short-term and long-range vision of the maintenance program, then their efforts will not be effective. Paying attention to the proper marking of the golf course was mentioned frequently as an important detail superintendents need to know that adds to the enjoyment of the golf course and proper playing of the game. Finally, although superintendents can feel weighed down by the many problems and challenges of the job, it was clear that committee members expressed a personal concern for the health and well-being of their superintendents and want to be sure that the job is fun and enjoyable.

  Folks, I can't tell you how close this article hits home base with me. Years back the superintendent was one to never be seen. He had no communication with the membership, everyone always visits the golf pro when they have questions about the conditions of the golf course. In today's time, the superintendent (at least for me) is all about communicating with the membership and meeting there expectations NOT MINE!!! I do appreciate all of you who do take the time to express the good and bad, I learn from both of them.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER!

Thanks

Willy Plowman

Golf Course superintendent