Checking Items off the list

The end of February is in our sights as we try and finish up a list of winter projects.  Along with our larger projects, we also crossed off some smaller projects. This includes upgrading the sprinkler yardage markers on the course and cleaning up and re-staining the water coolers.  Most of the accessories around the course (benches, garbage cans, water coolers, rope stakes) are unique to Aldarra and I believe they present a great addition to the golf course

February started with two large projects at the top of the list; Rough Renovations and Native Edge Expansions.

Rough Renovations

The first application of rough fertilizer is applied in late February to mid-March, all at the mercy of Mother Nature.  My biggest concern is fertilizing to early if a wet Spring is in the cards, and then trying to stay on top of mowing the 27 acres of rough.  Before any fertilizer goes down we want to get any thin rough areas renovated (remove thatch), seeded, and topdressed (covered in sand).

This is a great practice for your home lawn as well if you are trying to remove moss.  In the rough we are using a sand that has 15 percent organic matter mixed into it to help hold in moisture and heat to help seed germination.  Members will often ask me when a good time is to seed their lawn.  Spring of Fall are best, but we put seed down year-round.  The most important thing to do is scratch the areas before putting seed down and cover the seed with soil or mulch to help germination.  Covering the seed also decreases the amount of seed birds can get too.

Native Edge Expansions

During construction of 

the golf course, irrigation was placed on the edges of each hole to help determine grass lines.  The native areas that surround each hole were not designed to receive irrigation.  Over the years, the grass lines have moved, but the irrigation heads have remained in the same place.  When a native line moves in, the coverage of that head is affected because the native grass that now surrounds the head is blocking part of the throw of water.  This winter I had a goal to reestablish, to the best of our ability, the original lines.  This should help the irrigation coverage during the summer months on the edges of the course. 

A marking flag is placed behind each sprinkler on the ryegrass/native line allowing the mower to ensure that the entire head is inside the primary rough line and give a little leeway as the season goes on for a small change.  Much of what is being mowed down has been scalped, resulting in discoloration.  In the upcoming months, many of these areas will need to be treated to remove any undesired species of turf, and new seed will also be added into these areas to help with the conversion.

Rough renovation is nearly complete, while native edge management will be ongoing throughout the season.