New Ball washers/Trash Receptacles

Last season we had a few ball washers that didn't make it out of winter. So what we did to start the season was put a ball washer on 1, 10, and every even hole. With some extra revenue money were are starting to implement new ball washers back onto the holes that don't have one. We have purchased 3 new ball washers and 2 new double sided trash cans to help with recycling at Minor. Each month we are hoping to purchase a few more but at $360.00/setup it may take a few months . As you see in the picture below this is what we are purchasing each month.

Also a friendly reminder,  it is the season of hand watering. As you play Minor Park please be on the lookout for my staff as they fight the fires of summer. Before you strike your ball please make sure that there is some sort of contact between my staff and yourself . My guys will do there best to keep an eye out for you guys, but if need be feel free to holler or wave at them to acknowledge you are there before you hurl that torpedo rocket at them. Here is a small video that will show you why we water the way we do.

Thank you and look forward to seeing you our at Minor Park Golf Course. 

13 Fairway update

Two full seasons ago we striped in 13 fairway to convert this cool-season fairway that was a mixed bag of poa annua, ryegrass, and anything else that may have moved in throughout the season to the final Zoysia Fairway at Minor Park. The first full season we allowed the Zoysia to established itself in the 7 inch strips. The second year we allowed it to creep out from the strips and begin filling the gaps in between. This season, the third year we began the process of eliminating the cool-season grass to allow the zoysia to take over. We sprayed a product called Revolver. What this product does it that it slowly kills all of the cool-season grass without harming the warm-Season grass allowing it no competition to continue its spread into the voids. As the season goes along you may notice some thin or bare spots as the Zoysia finds its way into these voids. As the temperatures heat up and the Zoysia is growing at its best we will hit it with multiple fertilizer apps to aid with coverage.  It may look ugly as this process progresses but just understand that while it may be an eyesore these are the steps needed to convert this fairway into a solid stand of Zoysia.

Here are a few pictures of the progression of this fairway:

Before Revolver Spray

1 week after Revolver Spray

Notice the cool-season yellowing off 

3 weeks post spray. The dark strips are the Zoysia grass

In this picture you can see the spread of the Zoysia grass between the 2 strips. The yellowing grass will slowly disappear while the dark green Zoysia will continue to spread in.

Tiny Orange Flags

If you have been out to Minor Park this year you may have noticed a lot of little orange pin flags. These flags are out there to mark our new NO-mow areas through out the course. It's funny that we call them no-mow areas but in fact we actually mow them at least 1-2 times a year. With that being said, this is hardly any labor and gas usage compared to the rest of the rough that we mow at least 2 times per week. This weekly mowing of rough consists of mowing  one 9 on Monday, next 9 on Tuesday, skipping Wednesday and repeating the process Thursday-Friday. So if you compared this process to your own lawn you can see that your time and your fuel would be used up very quickly.

Most of the areas we have chosen are areas that are  outside the normal landing areas. They also consist of areas that are close to tee boxes or behind greens. By doing these areas it really helps save labor dollars and fuel costs but it also helps Minor Park have some hole definition. Once these areas have grown enough we will remove the flags. So next time your out playing a round of golf at Minor Park take a look around at these new areas.

Goose Control In Winter

It never fails, every year at Minor Park Golf Course geese begin their yearly destruction of green edges. This year it seems to be a bit more evident due to the winter we are having. With the course being thawed for so long it allows the geese to dig and tear holes into the greens while leaving their unwanted mess behind. We go out every morning and on no golfer days we make multiple rounds scouting for geese and scaring them off with our Bird Screamers. This is a type of firework that we shoot out of a .22 pistol that sends a screamer firecracker into the air. This firecracker produces a loud bang sending the birds into flight and off our property. As this next wave of cold and hopefully some snow cover funnels in we can start to reduce the holes that the geese are digging due to the ground getting frozen.

On warm days we are able to get out and put sand into the holes to temporally allowing for a smooth roll on the green. Then as the bentgrass begins to grow we will begin the yearly process of taking plugs from the nursery green and repairing any large size holes that we feel will not naturally fill in on their own. We also blow off all greens that become covered in goose droppings.

 I have always though that geese were a very dumb bird, but I've monitored them enough to know that they begin to know our work schedule as well as my staff does. They like to come in after 3:30 or so and by the time we get here the next morning they are general out of here and all you have left is unwanted goose dung and holes throughout your greens.

Here a few photos that show the type of destruction that geese can cause on putting surfaces:

Quick Lawn Tips

Just a little information for your lawn as we head into winter. If you haven't already seeded those bare or thin spots in your yard you may want to think about getting it out a soon as possible before your window of opportunity runs out. Also this time of the year is great to fertilize your yard as it prepares for the winter. 

As you are mowing your yard this fall try to remember these tips before you park your mower for the winter:

• Mowing height for October: 3"
• The height for the final mowing of the season is 2". 
  Grass that is too high during the winter can become diseased.
• Never remove more that 1/3 of the grass blade. 
  If a mowing is missed; set the mower as high as it will go, then lower and mow again in a couple of days.
• Use a different mowing pattern each mowing.
• Sharpen and balance mower blades every 10 mowing hours

Skunk Damage

If you have been out to Minor Park lately you will notice some skunk damage throughout the course. Skunks come out at night and feed on the white grubs that are in the soil in these spots. To help eliminate these spots we go out with an granular insecticide called Dylox. What this products does is eliminate the grubs in which the skunks feed upon. These spots get beat up twice:  the grubs eat the roots of the grass plant then the skunks come in and tear up the turf to feed on the grubs.

Moisture Meters and Venting

With the timely rains we have had this year at Minor Park the golf course is looking the best that I have seen for the middle of August. Here at Minor Park we were fortunate to be able to purchase 2 moisture meters to help measure moisture levels on greens. Especially this year, this has helped to know where we need to put water and also when we need to start irrigation after a rain event. Here is a picture and a brief description of what this equipment allows us to accomplish:

Spectrum Moisture Meter

These meters allow the user to probe greens and get a base reading of moisture in greens. After getting this initial reading this can be used in the morning and afternoon to test greens and see where we are on moisture and if they will last for the remainder of the day. For the greens at Minor Park we like to have ours between 15-18%. Anything below 15% will typical becomes a localized dry spot.

Venting of Greens

Another cultural practice we are able to do is vent greens. We are able to get out once a month in the summer with star tines and poke tiny holes into the green to allow gasses to escape. As the weather heats up and turf growth continues, destructive gasses such as methane and CO2 can build up in the root zone. Couple that with the excessively wet weather and you have a recipe for sick turf. This is the ideal time of year to vent greens. Venting allows bad gasses to escape and oxygen to penetrate the root zone. It also improves drainage and penetration of water. By reducing water, increasing oxygen, and allowing bad gasses to escape the soil microbes become more active, roots thrive, and overall plant health improves. The turf is now much stronger to heal traffic damage and fend off disease pressure. All without golfer interference!