iStimp fails the test

The iStimp is an entertaining iPhone application.  However, it frequently does not provide comparable readings to industry standards such as the Pelzmeter and the Speedmeter. In addition, the time involved for golfers to measure green speeds would result in considerable and unacceptable delays in pace of play. Based upon this preliminary information, PACE Turf does not recommend the use of this device for evaluating green speed.

 Click on link to read the report:
Prelimary evaluation of iStimp accuracy compared to the Pelzmeter and Bayco Speedmeter

The iStimp: For better or worse

Tree Pruning #14 Green

It was decided to prune some trees on number 14 to let more light in. This will keep the green healthier in the winter months.

                       2/11/2011 @ 10:00am

                      2/21/2011 @ 10:00am

 

                    2/11/2011 @ 1:00pm

                   2/17/2011 @ 1:00pm

2/22/2011

Rafael cleaning up debris left from last weeks storm.

Reuben repairing damage on hole number 15.

Our mechanic Fernando repairing broken sections of fence.

 Jose removing cattails by number one fairway.

Roberto continuing rough spiking. Only four holes until completion!  

Weekly Update

With the low temperatures expected this week there is a possibility for more frost delays.

I’ve been asked recently, "Why are tee times delayed even though it doesn’t look frozen anymore?" The reason is that the maintenance department starts an hour to an hour and a half before play on a normal day; this is to ensure the course is set up and ready for play. Also we start early so we do not get caught by play. If play catches us a lot of time is wasted to the point that tasks like mowing the greens and setting the pins would not be finished.

The frost delays are annoying to us as well: they limit the amount work that we can accomplish. The severity of the frost and the time needed to stay ahead of play are the two main factors that control the duration of delays.  

The course handled the 2 inches of rain pretty well, and the crew will be working on cleaning up the debris for the next couple days.

Some other actives scheduled this week are:

• Fertilizing the greens
• Aerating the tees
• Seeding worn areas
• Spiking the roughs
• Cart path repairs
• Tree stump removal
• Light top-dressing application on the greens
• Raise sprinklers in green complexes

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger

Golf Course Superintendent

Seeding

With more rain on the way the crew is seeding the needed areas.

The black material being spread over the seed is a finely ground compost.

The compost helps the seed stay moist and provides some nutrients for the plant after germination.

The crew also fertilized the tees this morning in anticipation of the much needed rain.

Weekly Update

Calabasas Country Club

Weekly Update

This week the maintenance department will be working on the following items:

• Edging bunkers
• Tree pruning
• Dead tree removal
• Spiking roughs
• Fertilizing tees & greens
• Cattail removal
• Leveling and seeding around streams
• Light top dressing on greens
• Cart path repairs
• Raise sprinklers in green complexes

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger

Golf Course Superintendent

Bermudagrass Color Retention

With the cooler temperatures, I have been asked a few times “Why are the fairways brown?” "Are they dead?" I will discuss the factors involved that makes this change happen and when they will be green again.

In the fall, bermudagrasses will start to lose their green color when the soil temperature drops below 55 degrees F. When soil temperatures drop to and stays below 55 degrees F, bermudagrass has difficulty producing chlorophyll more rapidly than it is degrading in the plant, particularly with high light intensity. As a result, the turfgrass will start to lose its olive green color. All bermudagrass will go dormant with air temperatures below 32 degree F. The ice crystals that form within the cells of the leaf tissue pierce the cell walls, ultimately killing the leaf tissue. It does not kill the plant only the leaf, the stolons, crown, rhizomes and roots are fine.  It takes several days after this event for the bermudagrass to turn its characteristic dormant color; this happens gradually over several days as the sunlight degrades the chlorophyll in the leaf tissue.

Once the soil temperature rise and stay above 55 degrees F for a couple weeks the Bermudagrass will start to grow and regain their green color.

An aerating and fertilizing application is planned for the fairways on the third week in March. The fertilizer application is scheduled from analyzing historic weather data to determine when the soil temperatures will favor growth. The fertilizer will put the proper amount of nutrients in the soil for the 25 weeks following. I expect the fairways will be green the second week of April, but the temperature of the soil will have to be adequate to be 100% certain.


Calamity Jane (Hole #5)

Update

Calabasas Country Club

Weekly Update

This week the crew will be working on:

• Aerating the driving range tee as well as applying seed, sand and fertilizer.
• Light topdressing on the greens.
• Dead tree removal.
• Stream cleaning.
• Tree stump removal
• Repairing broken cart paths
• A small safety fence on #7
• A synthetic acid will be applied to the greens

The synthetic acid is applied to lower the pH, solubilize calcium and other salts. As well as lower soil sodium and bicarbonate levels to improve soil structure, nutrient availability and general plant health. Also the acid will reduce calcium carbonate in the soil and increase flocculation.  

• The greens will be flushed after top dressed and acid is applied.

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger

Golf Course Superintendent

17 Tee Cart Path Rpair

There are a few cart paths on the course in need of repair.

 There crew will be fixing them periodically throughout the season.

 It is also planned to keep working on them over the next three years.

 In most scenarios the tree roots are what breaks the cart paths.

 Reuben making the forms.

 Pouring the concrete.

Leveling, edging and brushing the newly poured concrete.

 Finished

German, Jose, Reuben & Sergio showing a little enthusiasm in front of their accomplishments.

Monthly Recap

January 2011 reached a max temperature of 87 degrees, which was nearly 10 degrees warmer than January 2010. The high of January 2010 was just 78 degrees. Additionally, we only received .6” of rain last month, whereas January 2010 saw 6.83” of rainfall on the course. The maintenance department was forced to mow and water a bit more then normal with the warmer temperatures and lack of precipitation.

Here are some of the projects that were completed in January 2011:

• Cattail removal
• Sand bin construction
• #16 & #18 Bridges were sanded and painted
• #3, #14 & 17 steps were also painted
• All 22 greens were needle tine aerated
• #’s 1 and 14 green were needle tine aerated 4 times
• Edging all 5 miles of cart paths
• Colored fairways
• Top dressed greens
• Holes 10-12, 16-18 roughs were spiked
• The crew received there annual pesticide handler training
• The lakes were cleaned and treated

And here are a few projects planned for February:

• More cattail removal
• Some tree trimming and clearing dead trees
• Tree stump removal
• Repairing broken cart paths
• A small safety fence on #7
• Hydroject application on the greens
• Aerating the teeing surfaces
• Soil and water test will be conducted to ensure proper nutrient and amenities are added over the next few months.

The crew continues to steadily improve the course, getting us ready for a great Spring.  

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger GCS