New steps on #9 Bear

The photo below shows the timber stairs leading to the back tees on #9 of the Bear course.  Over years the stairs had become so rotten that they needed complete replacement.  Thanks to the carpentry skills of the talented Bear course maintenance staff, we were able to completely rebuild these step and install a railing in-house for a nominal expense.  We will be applying an anti-skid epoxy coating to the new steps next week.  What an impact the new steps make!

Irrigation main line leak

Contrary to the comments from many golfers, we were not digging for oil or looking for Jimmy Hoffa on #1 of the Bear course this week.  We discovered a leak in a large 8" main line pipe on Tuesday morning.  The irrigation contractor responsible for the installation of the system in 2010, Sanders Golf, warrantied the leak and covered the labor and parts needed for the repair.  As of Saturday morning the leak was repaired and the hole filled.  We will mark the area as Ground Under Repair for a week or so while it heals.

Central IDD drainage canal

You may have noticed your Golf Maintenance staff working on the Bear course between #18 and #10 fairways the past 2 weeks.  We have been dredging one of 3 drainage canals that move water off The Forest property.  This canal, which was originally built by Lee County for mosquito control long before The Forest existed, has eroded and filled in over time.  This natural process has buried many drainage outfall pipes that drain water from #18, #10, and #16 fairways.  As you can see in the pictures below, this erosion has had a drastic impact on the ability of these fairways to drain and dry.

 

Drain pipes that have clogged at the end over time due to erosion

 

 

The periodic dredging of this canal is a maintenance practice that will need to continue to ensure the drainage system is working as designed.  The first phase of this work is complete, and we will continue the work along the left side of #10 fairway next summer during our course closures.  We will be planting plumbago beds along #18 in the areas where the work has recently been completed to bring a nice addition of blue/lavender color.  See the photo below of the completed area. 

 

 



 

Driving Range hours

 

 

 

In an effort to enhance the member experience at The Forest, we have coordinated driving range closure times for us to perform our routine maintenance.  Mondays and Thursdays (excluding holidays) the driving range will be closed from 1:00PM until 2:30PM.  During this time we will fill divots, mow the entire range, fertilize, and perform any other maintenance duties necessary.  This will ensure that members are never bothered during their practice sessions and also allows your Golf Course Maintenance staff to complete their work without dodging golf balls.  Custom signage is on order to notify range users of the closures and should arrive within the next few weeks.

 

 

 

Black layer on Bear Greens

I would like to take a minute to explain an issue that we are dealing with on the Bear greens known to turfgrass managers as “black layer.”  Black layer is occurring on the Bear greens in the low areas along the edges of certain greens (#1, #2, #3, #13) and causes the turf thin out.  The cause of this ailment stems from poor water quality.  The salts in our irrigation water (sodium, chlorides, bicarbonate, and sulfate) tend to collect in these low areas and restrict the availability of oxygen to the plant’s roots.  This causes a “black layer” in the soil profile (see photos below) that is remediated most easily through extensive core aerification.  Since that option is not on the table at present we have been treating these areas with certain oxygenating agents and plugging the worst areas with new turf.  Next summer we will be able to get aggressive enough with these areas to eliminate the issue.

 

The photo above is from a weak area suffering from black layer.  Notice the blackish color of the soil

 

This is a photo from a healthy section of the same green.  No anaerobic black layer is present in this area

HERE COME THE GOLF CARTS

As the season ramps up, traffic management becomes increasingly important.  You will see the Golf Maintenance staff putting out traffic management blocks to funnel carts to the best entrance and egress points on the fairways.  We move these blocks periodically in an effort to minimize turf damage.  Please help us by following the signage and blocks as well as keeping the carts off green and tee surrounds.    

 

 

 

As we make our final push to clean up the weeds in the fairways for season, you may see some weeds dying out.  The photo below is dying crabgrass and will disappear as the bermudagrass fills in.  

 
 
 



Welcome to The Forest Country Club Golf Course Maintenance blog!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to The Forest Country Club Golf Course Maintenance Blog!

 

 

 With the season officially upon us, we have new accessories for both courses.  This includes flags, sticks, cups, practice area accessories, and

 

A little color never hurt anyone!  We are busy installing geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, and begonias for winter color.  We will complete this work by the end of next week.