Kansas City Star

On Monday August 26th, we had a photographer from the Kansas City Star come out and take some photos of my staff out hand watering. With the temperatures soaring into the mid to upper 90's we had to continue our regiment of hand watering spots on greens.  A typical 90 degree day starts with watering spots on greens and collars, then at 12:30 we begin 2-3 runs of light watering on the putting surface This process typically keeps us on the greens for less than 5 minutes and we move to the next. Afternoons with high humidity and high temperatures we don't want to have excessive water placed on the green so our light syringing allows us to wet the surface and drop the canopy temperatures.

Here is the photograph that made the Kansas City Star:

From the latest weather report it looks like we will receive a break from this heat wave after Labor Day. The overall course conditions are great, so if you have time please come out and enjoy a round at Minor Park Golf Course.


Here is a video from the USGA on hand watering:

Zoysia Conversion on 13 fairway

About a month ago, we were able to purchase 1000 square yards of zoysia sod from Topeka Sod farm to strip in our only existing cool-season fairway. The process used a skid-steer with 2 cutters on the front that proceeded to cut 7 inch strips on 18 inch centers. The 7 inch stripes were loaded into workmen beds and dumped off site. It will take around 3-4 years for the whole fairway to fill in.

Before sod installation

After Sod Installation

1 month later

 

Vandalism on 8 green

On July 11^th we had a car enter our facility through the fence on 115^th street and proceeded to drive onto 8 green and do donuts on the green surface before leaving the property. We went through the process of rolling the green 4 times, aerified, topdressed, fertilized, and watered it. See below before and after pictures.