Monday, January 24, 2011

Winter Update

TURF
The last few weeks have been pretty slow around here with nothing much to report.  The fog is finally breaking up in the afternoons and the golf course is getting some much needed sunlight.  We even are able to mow all of the fairways which is a luxury this time of  year.  Also, cart path restrictions can be pulled this week to get some more golfers out here to enjoy this beautiful weather.

The fog prolongs wetness, keeps the carts on the paths, forces the mowers to stay in the shop, and increases the possibility of disease.  The extended leaf moisture (all day when the fog is around) can lead to a disease called pink snow mold.  We apply products on the greens to prevent this disease, but other areas are left open to attack.  The small amount of disease in the fairways does not justify the cost of fungicides.  Here is the result in the worst areas:



If you would like to know more about this disease, check out last year's post, 'Disease Profile: Pink Snow Mold.'


TREES

I'm still amazed by the support and generosity shown by our members as they make contributions to the Tree Program.  We have received well over 100 tree donations and keep getting more every week.  During our last break in the rains, we planted 7 trees in a couple of hours using two employees.  Obviously, the planting process will go pretty quick when the weather will allow us to plant.


The photograph above shows two cork oaks that are to the right of the first green.  These trees grow very well in our climate and soil conditions and will be a nice addition to the green complex.  We also planted a couple of sycamores just into the right rough, 75 yards from the green.  These will fill in for the failing Modesto ash and force a shot over or around trees if your tee shot lands right of the fairway. 

Once we get our mowing finished today, we will dive into some more tree planting.  Our second order, thirty trees this time, will arrive today including honey locust, plums, and golden rain trees.  Many of these will be planted along the left rough of number 6 to buffer the fence line.  We will also attempt to transplant a weeping willow which will be moved from #10 to reshape the hole.  More on that later.

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