Each and every year, we tweak our fertility, cultural, and irrigation programs to continue to build a better golf course.  It would be much easier to sign up for the same schedule each year, but that is not the way to produce the best possible conditions.  Soils change.  Turf improves, hopefully, or becomes weaker.  Our water source can also vary from season to season.  We must adapt or become complacent with the same old strategy.

Here is a summary of the past few years and the variations in our management of the golf course:

• In 2006 we had black layer throughout most of the greens.  The surface was spongy and drained poorly.  The goal was to maintain turf, and that was it.  Even a simple goal of keeping grass alive was very difficult.  We increased aerification and tried to improve the situation.
• In 2007 we continued to focus on the greens with frequent aerification and topdressing.  The soil reports were analyzed very closely and management of sodium and bicarbonates became a major priority.  We must have balanced soil to grow healthy turf.
• In 2008 the soils were improving and thatch was starting to get under control.  This was the first season we used a soil moisture meter to determine the need for hand watering.  The post to this one: Moisture Meter This is the most important tool I have ever purchased and I would never try to manage a golf course without one.  Any staff member that was sent to water greens was given the moisture meter and a percentage for the day based on the projected high temperature.  We continue to use this tool today and it's impact is very obvious.
• In 2009, we had the greens under control and could maintain good conditions with less fungicides and less water.  We could now turn our attention to the fairways where our irrigation uniformity had been a major problem.  We were watering as little as possible and were still left with wet spots near the heads and dry spots between. A new nozzle configuration from Rain Bird was the trick and our fairways are now completely different surfaces.  Here's the post: http://sgccturf.blogspot.com/2009/08/nozzle-dance.html
• In 2010, we had the greens and fairways in good order and we focused extra attention on high traffic areas, tees, and approaches.  A new sprayer that debuted this year was a main component to our success.  Wetting agent applications were expanded from the tees, approaches, and greens to many other areas including some troubled fairways.  This practice continues today (Rob is out there as I write this) and it is producing much better results.  Increased aerification continues on all parts of the course and drainage in a wet winter year shows proof of the benefits.
• 2011-The year of the project.  We are confident in the irrigation system, the soil, and the turf.  While we cannot ignore the maintenance practices that keep the turf healthy and in good playing condition, we can find time to do some of the projects that golfers really notice.  So far, on this year's calendar we have a new wall on the upper 8th tee, new stairs on the same tee and perhaps many others, a pond cleaning program, driving range renovations, multiple drainage projects, clubhouse landscape renovation, work on the native area, mass tree planting and removal, and ........... more ideas every day. 

We'll be busy and the future looks bright.  There is no possibility that we will run out of things to do.  Stay tuned for more updates on these projects, the tree program, and our general turf conditions.  I have a lot of news to share, it's just a matter of sitting down in front of a computer for long enough to write a post or two.