March 2012 Greens Aeration

Over the past two weeks the maintenance department has been busy aerating the greens, tees, fairways & driving range tee. During this process we also seeded & fertilized; all this is a vital process to maintain healthy turf during the summer months.

 The Greens where aerated using 10'' long 1/2'' diameter hollow tines as well as 4'' long 1/2'' diameter hollow tines.

 After the greens are aerated they are then cleaned off.

 When the greens are clean we then seed, fertilize, top-dress & brush.

 The driving range tee was aerated, seeded, verti-cut, top-dressed & fertilized.

 Here is what it looks like after the tee was aerated and verticut.

The maintenance crew has a new employee, her name is Nugget. She is an 8 week year old AKC/OFA registered chocolate labrador retriever. She is here to help scare off some of the Canadian Geese and Coots that have been creating damage to the turf and making a mess on #9, #16 & #18 greens

Her pedigree consists of:

·  

·         Junior Hunters

·         Master Hunters

·         National Amateur Field Champions

·         Field Trail Champions

·         Amateur Field Trial Champions

·         Utility Dog

·          Tracking Dogs

Regards

Eric Wenzinger

March 2011 Greens Aeration Video

Above is a video documenting March 2011 greens aeration week.

La Niña

La Niña continues: and what it means for you

Sunday, March 18, 2012 | Permalink | Weather

Ocean temperatures in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean continue to create a La Niña condition, according to the National Weather Service's March, 2012 update. This means that for the next two months, we can expect the following:

• above average air temperatures across the mid section (south central) of the U.S.
• below average temperatures over the northwestern U.S.
• above average rain across western Washington, the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes
• drier than average conditions across Florida, the Gulf Coast and the southwestern U.S. (this forecast is unfortunately still accurate, despite this week's Western storm; the storm will help, but will not make up for the very dry winter season)

La Niña usually dissipates during the spring, so the trends above will probably hold no longer than through the end of April.

Mowing Fairways Down

As we move forward with the greens health our goal is to concentrate more resources on other areas of the golf course towards steady improvement. This year we have applied a pre-emergent herbicide on the fairways to stop crabgrass and other weeds from germinating this Spring, as well as a post-emergent herbicide to kill the weeds and unwanted grasses that were present; the next step is mow the fairways down to 3/8" this will give us a good starting point for the 2012 golf season. Scheduled at the end of March is a 25 week slow release fertilizer application; the fairways are also going to be verti-cut and aerated over the next 4 weeks. The verticutting will remove unwanted thatch to relieve disease threats and encourage rapid lateral growth; while the aeration will relieve compaction and incorporate O2 into the soil profile.   

Electrical Out-let Added to Teaching Area on Driving Range Tee

The crew has been busy getting the course ready for the 2012 golf season one addition to our normal maintenance was adding an electrical out-let the driving range tee; the out-let will aid the teaching pros in their lessons with a convenient source of power for their equipment and cameras.

Cart-path Repairs

With over 80 broken cart-paths on the course we are steadily working through them between other projects and on Mondays when we are closed. The last slab that was repaired was on hole #6 and it was the 19th slab repaired over the last 14 months.

Bunker Maintenance

Shawn giving a demonstration on proper bunker maintenance and day-to-day set-up.

Over the last week the crew has spent over 200 combined hours moving sand into proper locations, as well adding, taking-out and replacing sand in questionable bunkers. We will continue moving sand in hopes they will be more playable and less maintenance will be necessary.

Aeration: A breath of fresh air for greens

Frost

Monday 2/6/2012 Course Closure

Here are some tasks completed during the Monday Closure:

Roots reaching down to 6.5"

Needle tine green aerating

Transplanting shrubs and removing broken fence

Repairing broken cartpaths

Replacing bunker sand on hole #1

The drainage and shape were also enhanced

Reshaping the bunker wall

Filling the bunker

Painting tee markers

Removal of dead and hazardous trees

Greens Update

Calabasas Country Club

Maintenance Department

Course Update

I would like to give you a 30,000-foot view of the greens past, current and future conditions. 

Over the past 16 months there has been rigorous lab work conducted along with constant monitoring to drill-down to the source and to establish a base-line for greens health. October 2010 yielded figures of sodium 6X higher than plant tolerability, compacted soil in an anaerobic state, and surprising abundances of Aluminum, Boron & Zinc. Also contributing to the problem was the high level of organic matter in the soil, so much so that the greens could barely be classified as a sand-based soil; a sand base is crucial to promote water peculation to flush out sodium and other unwanted elements.

I responded to those problems throughout fall and winter with applications of calcium and several specific acids, as well as frequent needle tine aeration and topdressing to lower the organic matter. These applications along with the heavy rains during January, February and March 2011  helped to lower the sodium and pH levels back to normal levels, and also fostering root growth of 3 ½ inches. As a reference, the roots were measured in October 2010 at just ½ inch, which is not sufficient for long-term sustainability. The transition from October 2011 to November 2011 went from hot to cold fast giving us the earliest frost delay in the last 7.5 years. While mild fall temperatures were cut short we still came out of the summer with roots down to 3.5’’ and by December 2011 bentgrass roots reached 6.5’’.   

March 26^th 2012 is our greens aeration date and the course will be closed. The club has taken ownership of a deep tine aerator so all work will be done in house this year while the drill and fill application is more beneficial we have opted to do this every other year;

While I understand the frustration that comes with any change to the aesthetics and playability of the greens, the aeration process was and is a crucial process to get greens as healthy as possible before summer, and the high temperatures that test the greens health every day until November. Currently I'm pleased to report that the sodium levels have been stabilized to normal levels, and root mass reached down to 6.5 inches this week.

Greens health is a slow, multi-step process which requires constant care and attention. First, I will continue to monitor sodium levels along with taking soil, water & tissue samples on a regular basis. Second, I will implement future needle and deep tine aeration throughout the spring and summer months to deliver much needed oxygen and promote gas exchanges deep down the soil profile. All of this is part of a 3-year plan to change the soil composition to a much improved state that will favor healthy plant conditions for years to come. Many thanks for your patience and continued support of my efforts. 

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger                     

Golf Course Superintendent

A few projects happening around the course.

Dead trees are being removed around the course

The streams are being cleared of debris

Our 480 volt power line that supplies power to the water fall, lake aerators and fountains suffered a fault and a new line needed to be trenched in.

# 7 steps being repaired

#14 step were also in need of repair

Calabasas Country Club                                                                        

Monthly Update                                                                                                                         December 2011

Here is a recap of projects and goals accomplished in December 2011:

• Edged bunkers
• Removed rocks from bunkers
• Edged cart paths
• Leaf removal
• Repaired fountain on #9
• Seven dead or fallen trees where cut, chipped and split
• Removed debris from stream to allow water to flow freely
• Aerated, fertilized, top dressed and seeded all 49 tees
• Needle tine aeration of all greens twice and deep tine aerated once
• The putting green roots grew from 3” to 7” since October
• Lowered the pH from 8. to 6.2
• Leached out a substantial amount of sodium from a EC reading of 3 to 1.2

As a bench mark the greens would be the healthiest at a pH from 5.0 to 6.5 and an EC reading of 0.75 to 1.50.

In conclusion December turned out to be a productive month even with the holidays and vacations. There are a lot of projects and improvements planned for 2012. Here are a few planned activities and when to expect to see them:

• Fix broken cart paths “throughout the season”
• Finishing the sand replacement in the bunkers “planned for Spring”
• Deep tine aerification “planed in March”
• Tree pruning and dead tree removal “Throughout the season”
• Finish fence on #15
• Drainage repair “throughout the season”
• Raising and properly adjusting sprinklers “now and throughout the season”

More aggressive maintenance overall, employing cultural practices and attention to detail.

Regards,

Eric Wenzinger

Golf Course Superintendent

Sharpening Greens Mowers

Shown in this picture is Fernando our mechanic sharpening the greens mower reels; this is done three times a month to ensure a clean cut on the greens.

Soil pH & TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

One of the biggest problems the putting greens encounter is high sodium (salt) content; this is a byproduct of reclaimed water, which is the golf course's irrigation water supply. High levels of sodium prohibit the roots from properly up taking nutrients, and the grass displays characteristics of drought and nutrient deficiencies.

One thing we do to help this is apply calcium; the calcium simply binds itself to the sodium as not to interfere with plant's uptake of nutrients. When the calcium is attached it also is easier to leach out the sodium and move it down the soil profile and into the drainage system.

There are side affects to the application of calcium, the biggest being that the pH of the soil goes up, making it more alkali. The creeping bentgrass on the course prefers slightly acidic soils; from 5.0 pH – 6.5 pH. As an example, pure water has a neutral pH at 7.0. 

On November 15, a significant rain downpour was forecasted for later in the week, and we used this as an opportunity to address the pH and sodium levels of the soil on the greens. 

Before the rain, readings were taken to record the pH and the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of the greens. The TDS has to do with EC (Electrical Conductivity), and it is the easiest way to judge the sodium levels in the soil.

As a bench mark the greens would be the healthiest at a pH from 5.0 to 6.5 and an EC reading of 0.75 to 1.50.

Before the rain the average reading for all the greens was 8.0pH

Before the rain the reading of the greens TDS mS/cm was .8 which = an EC of 3.0.

On November 18^th, we applied 2,000 lbs of limestone (calcium) to the greens. This is a sound practice that many golf courses use to help leach out excess salts.

As it started to rain we applied a synthetic acid to lower the pH of the greens. Both of these practices require watering, which is why the timing of the chemical applications along with the storm played a big factor in our success.

Today the reading recorded from the greens is at 6.2pH.

The post rain recording of the greens TDS mS/cm was .2 which = an EC of 1.3.

This is a substantial improvement in a very short period of time.

Video of Aerification @ Calabasas Country Club March 2011

USGA

Golf Etiquette 101

Unlike many sports, golf is for the most part played without the supervision of a referee, umpire or coach. The game relies on the individual golfer to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. New golfers are often in need of advice about customary behavior and practices to follow on course so that play proceeds safely and without delay. Here are 10 tips to help all players get the maximum enjoyment from the game.
The Spirit of the Game

The game is based on integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.



Safety

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore."



Consideration for Other Players

No Disturbance or Distraction

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.
View Avoiding Distraction Animation

On the Putting Green

On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
View Putting Green Animation

Scoring

In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.
View Scoring Etiquette Animation


Pace of Play

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.
View Playing at a Good Pace Animation

Be Ready to Play

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Viewing Being Ready to Play Animation

Lost Ball

If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.

They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.
View Saving Time with a Lost Ball Animation


Priority on the Course

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
View Priority on the Course Animation


Care of the Course

Bunkers

Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.
View Bunker Etiquette Animation

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes

Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.
View Divot Repair Etiquette Animation

Preventing Unnecessary Damage

Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.
View Preventing Unnecessary Damage Animation


Conclusion; Penalties for Breach

If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.

In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.