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.