Effects of Winter Weather.

We field a lot of questions about discoloration and recovery of turf during the winter months. The cooler temperatures during the winter make the Bermuda less active across the entire golf course. We are very proactive and use due diligence when we see a cold stretch coming in, we will manage the plant health and tissue as best as possible. Raising of mowing heights, additional fertility application prior to, and use of pigments to keep the canopy of playing surfaces as warm as possible. While day time temperatures have been close to the historical average, we have been well below the average during the nights with temperatures in the mid 40's to lower 50's.

#18 Taken on Dec. 8th just prior to the most recent cold event

#18 Taken on Dec. 14th, after 3 consecutive nights in the 40's, with a noticeable color difference on the fairway and also the putting green 

 

 

For more information on this topic, please follow the link to the USGA Green Section article. Cold Weather Blemishes.

Foliar Fertility

As the temperature continue to cool down we have had to alter our fertility program for the winter months. As soil temperature drops the bermuda become less active, we will be supplementing foliar fertility in with our existing granular program. By definition this is the application of foliar sprays of one or more nutrients to supplement traditional soil applications of fertilizers. There are several advantages to foliar feeding, also known as spoon feeding, such as rapid plant response and low burn potential but some disadvantages include lower rates and increased applications. We currently use this process on the putting surfaces and we are going to be extending this outward on to the tees. We are very excited to see the results as we move forward into this new aspect of our management program.

We recently replaced our old shelves in our pesticide building. All products have been classified and alphabetized.

These are two of the main products we will be applying to all areas of the golf course. 

A foliar fertilizer package being applied to the greens. 

Drainage Improvements

We are in the final phase of our major project season. We have started to correct some drainage issues around the golf course. We are currently installing a new catch basin in the middle of #17 fairway to help the performance and playability of the landing zone. We appreciate the patience as we know it is unsightly but we have sodded the area to celebration bermudagrass. It will remain ground under repair until the new sod is able to be played from. We are very confident that this will improve not only playabilty from the area but also aesthetics as the area was very unsightly.

Here we see where the turf remained under water for several days resulting in turf loss.

Efrain removing sod and getting ready to start the grading to the drain.

Quinonez is putting the final touches on the main line connecting to the bunker drainage.

A look down the line before the installation of the drain. 

The work continued into the morning and here the staff is preparing the last lines.

Project is complete and Celebration has received a couple mowing's

Practice Facility Divot Patterns

The most efficient way (in terms of range tee usage) for hitting practice balls and creating divots is to use a linear pattern.

The three patterns of divots in the picture above are traditionally seen on practice facilities. The scattered and concentrated patterns take up large amounts of space on the practice facility, allow for fewer and less efficient tee set up practices and requires a greater frequency in tee rotation. A consistent linear pattern, as suggested by the USGA, leads to a more effective use of the practice facility as well as quicker turf recovery.

Practice Facility Progress

DST Sports Turf construction has finished grading and re-grassing the chipping and putting green surrounds behind the half way house and we are looking forward to opening it in the near future. The tif-sport bermuda in this area was extremely weak. The area was regraded to allow for more efficient water runoff movement, and the practice bunker was restored back to its original shape. We replaced the Tif-Sport Bermudagrass with Celebration Bermudagrass, a heartier variety better suited for our practice facility.

The original practice area just before the construction and regrading began.

With the sod stripped, the surface was regraded and the bunker restored to its original design; the greens remained unchanged.

The sod has been laid out, and requires water, topdressing and time in order to become properly established.

The final step in the process consists of a heavy topdressing and brushing regiment in order for the turf to tighten up and become ready for play.

DRYJECT

August 4th-8th concluded the final closure for cultural practices before Season.  Greens were Dryject on a 3"x3" spacing in two directions.  Sand was injected at a rate of 1025 lbs/1000 sq ft which totaled 67 tons of material into the greens.

DryJect’s high-pressure, water-based injection system blasts aeration holes through the root zone to fracture the soil while simultaneously filling the holes with sand. This relieves compaction, increases water filtration, allows oxygen to reach the root zone, and amends the soil all at the same time.

This is the column of sand injected into the soil profile.

The sample on the right compares Traditional Core Aeration and DryJect.  The 2" sand Column is from Traditional Core Aeration and the 5" Column is from the DryJect machines.

Tee Construction Progress

We are renovating problematic tees on holes #2, #4, #11, #14, #18, and the practice facility.  DST Sports Turf Construction has Removed the Existing Tif-Sport Bermudagrass, Laser leveled to a +/- 1/4" Grade, and began laying new Celebration Bermudagrass.  Sodding should be complete this week as the weather continues to cooperate.

Removing the existing Tif-sport on #2.

Laser level grade to +/-  1/4".

#2 Tee after final grade and ready for new Celebration sod.

Sod farm was not able to cut/deliver any sod last week due to heavy rains.

Celebration Sod being Delivered for the Tees.

Celebration Sod installed on #2 Tee.

Consistent Rain Events call for Consistent Course Clean-up

Beginning, July 8th and ending today July 22nd we have received 12.5 inches of rain. The majority of these rain events have been very heavy.  For example, the golf course received 2 inches in one hour on Friday July 18th. These rainfalls make our regular maintenance practices difficult to complete as we have to prioritize course conditioning, cleanup, and mowing. When rainfall is that heavy it will cause debris to wash up from the turf canopy and flow with the water towards drains and off of slopes (Picture #1 and Picture #2).  As soon as the conditions allow, usually with-in 24-48 hours, clean-up and removal of the clippings is complete.  

 Debris on #3 fairway from Friday's (7/18) Rain

Debris on #3 fairway from Today's (7/22) Rain

 Severe bunker washout on #5 greenside

Flooding rain on #1 fairway

Rain water collects around drains (#8 fairway)

South Florida Thunderstorms

The weather pattern over the last 2 weeks has delivered several severe thunderstorms. During two of these thunderstorms, lightening strikes have been of major concern and caused damage.  The lightening traveled through our irrigation system causing significant damage to multiple components in multiple locations.  We completely rebuilt the Irrigation satellite box on #10 and replaced several major components in multiple boxes throughout the remainder of the course. Repair costs are in excess of  $5,000.  We are fortunate to have an excellent Toro Irrigation Service Center (Hector Turf) that supported our efforts on-site twice this week.  Currently, the system is operating 100%.

7-16-2014 Looking back at #1 Fairway

Lightening damaged this Irrigation component

Replacement component

Tee Construction

Frenchman's Reserve will be renovating problematic tees on holes #2, #4, #11, #14, #18, and the practice facility.  DST Sports Turf Construction will laser level and re-grass from the TifSport to Celebration Bermudagrass.  Celebration Bermudagrass has proven to withstand daily play/traffic while maintaining color and vigor throughout the winter.  See each phase of the construction below.

Tee Complex Contruction:

1. Spray 2 Applications of Round-up to prevent TifSport contamination in the new Celebration Bermudagrass. These applications will be made over the next few weeks prior to the construction work.  The treated tees will be visibly "Blue" from the application and begin turning brown over the next 4-5 days.  
2. DST Sports Turf Construction will cut & remove the existing TifSport from the above mentioned tees. 
3. Roto-till the tee surfaces to prepare for Laser Leveling.
4. Laser Level the tee surfaces to +/- 1/4".
5. Sod the tee with Celebration Sod. 

#18 Tee Before Construction

Step 1:  Spraying to remove the existing TifSport on #2 Tee

Step 1 Complete:  #11 Tee

The final product will be a level and consistent teeing surface.  As each phase is completed we will update on the progress and what to expect on the course.

14 day Aerification Recovery Update

14 Days after the course was aerified, the healing process is well underway. The majority of the playing surfaces have healed completely.  We are very satisfied with the aerification process, how the course is healing, and producing a healthier/sustainable turf for everyone at Frenchman’s Reserve.

#2 Green 14 days post aerification

Area still recovering but minimal impact to ball roll.  We estimate that these areas make up 10% of the surfaces.

Close up image of #2 green

#12 Fairway 14 days post aerification

2014 Golf Course Aerification

The Goal of our Aerification Program is to impact 10% of the Tif-Eagle Putting surface.  Additionally, Core aeration of Tees, Approaches, and Fairways were completed.  Our staff aerified an average of 13 Acres a day in conjunction with multiple mowing schedules and clean-up processes.  

To begin, we verticut the Greens 4 times followed by 2 mowings to clean-up.

The Toro ProCore 648 aerifies and collects the material.

Material that was collected from #16 Green. This material needs to be removed by hand and is very labor intensive.

We purchased this Toro ProCore 1298 to complete the fairway aerification program.  Additionally, we used 2 Toro ProCores to aerify around the drains, yardage plaques, and irrigation heads to assist in the fairways. 

Rain slowed down the clean-up processes on Thursday and Friday.  This extended our clean-up efforts through Saturday 5/31. Currently, 14 days Post Aerification, the course is recovering very well and is in very playable condition.

SUMMER AERIFICATION SCHEDULES

The long term health of putting greens depend on maintaining sand as the primary growing medium. When organic matter accumulates the physical benefits of sand are diminished and putting green physical properties decline along with the health of the turf. Core Aerification allows oxygen exchange for the root system, improved water infiltration with-in the profile, organic matter removal, and ability to maintain sand as the primary growing medium.

Our Scheduled Aerifications are; May 27th-30th, July 7th-11th, and August 4th-8th. The practices performed during these dates are very important and are planned in accordance with the growing conditions of the turf. The turf needs to be vigorous and capable of growing at a healthy rate in order to recover from the processes that follow.

GREENS:
• Verticut Greens
• Topdress Greens with Sand
• Disrupt 30% of the Surface area through Core Aerification Annually
• Brush sand to fill in holes
• Roll with a 2-ton Roller
• Brush and Blow for the best presentation possible

TEES & APPROACHES
• Topdress with sand
• Core Aerify
• Drag cores and clean-up debris
• Roll with 2-Ton Roller to smooth the surface

FAIRWAYS
• Circle-cut to manage grain
• Core Aerify
• Drag cores and clean-up debris

Below is our recently purchased Toro Procore 1298, a Fairway Aerification Unit, providing a significantly improved process in the fairways. 

Palm Tree Pruning

Begining in April there has been a renewed focus pruning palm trees throughout the Golf Course.  Frenchman's Reserve has contracted the services of CPM and their team of Certified Arborists to complete this pruning.  This is a time, labor, and financially intensive project. We plan to prune these palm trees on an annual basis promoting a healthy growing tree and producing a topical appearance in our landscape.

#14 Tee prior to pruining.

#14 Tee following pruining.