Expanded chipping area to the left of 9 green

We have been getting quite a few comment on the new mow lines we recently began to cut-in. It is a slow process of gradually lowering the height of the grass, with repeated seeding and topdressing. Once complete, these areas will be very tightly mown, providing a number of shot options. Some areas have been returned the original design, while others have been added for agronomic reasons. We think all the areas will enhance the course and make for a more interesting, enjoyable and challenging round of golf. 



Another short cut area, this one to the left of 12 green

For this years Spring aerification, we went with a different process. Instead of the traditional 1/2-inch coring tine, we decided to use our much less invasive Hydroject. The Hydroject injects high pressure water to a depth of 2-3 inches. We followed that with a moderate verticut in two directions, seed, and then a healthy dose of sand.



Although we lightly topdress throughout the year, aerification is a good time to put on extra to help protect the crown of the plant, as well as reduce unwanted thatch. Not to mention, it provides a firmer and smoother putting surface.

Here is something you don't see everyday. Early last Friday (5/31), one of my crew members reported a fire on #15. I immediately headed that way to discover that someone had been out that night enjoying quite a few beers around a campfire they built in the left rough on #15. Judging by the tracks in the early morning dew, I didn't miss them by much. Looking at the tire pattern they left on the green, it appears they have a private cart. I guess we were lucky, damage could have been much worse.

Never a dull moment................

Matt Shaffer interview

I wanted to share this short interview with Matt Shaffer from Merion Golf Club, this year's host of the US Open. I think it might give you a little insight into what the players will face come June.

New sand at #1 greenside bunker

This week we received approval to begin adding sand to ALL the greenside bunkers. The going will be a bit slow as we will be aerifying the tees & approaches, followed by the fairways and rough, and then finally onto the greens. Our goal is to complete 2-3 holes a week without letting any of our other duties slip. The new sand will be quite soft until overhead irrigation and use begins to firm them up. Expect more "fried eggs" during this time, it's one of those necessary evils. With a little time, we will have much more consistent conditions.



Last Thursday, as we were in the process of preparing the course for the Member-Member tournament, we had some of the most extreme weather I have ever seen in my 8+ years here at Spanish Hills. That afternoon the temperature was 97*, with 2% humidity and sustained winds of around 30 mph. Needless to say, the stress on the grass was tremendous, especially the greens. I snapped this photo Saturday morning to help me track recovery. If you look closely, you can see that the bentgrass (darker plant) is doing fine, while the poa is dying. This is precisely the reason we continue to work to increase our bentgrass population through proper cultural management as well as routine seeding.

 

Southern California Rainfall 57% of Normal

By Lon "Halfmile" Cooper on March 13, 2013

 

Precipitation along the Southern California sections of the Pacific Crest Trail is 57% of normal for the year, based on National Weather Service Data from four locations near the PCT.

Location	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Total	% Avg
Lake Cuyamaca	1.02	1.48	5.9	2.12	1.05	11.57	52%
Lake Henshaw	0.26	0.82	4.19	2.13	2.18	9.58	54%
Big Bear Fire Station	0.07	0.83	2.38	1.49	2.18	6.95	51%
Mount Wilson	0.54	3.5	8.03	5.23	1.59	18.89	70%
Average	0.47	1.66	5.13	2.74	1.75	11.17	57%

Totals and Averages are from October through February.

Locations were chosen due to their proximity to the Pacific Crest trail.

Rainfall totals are calculated for “water years,” the twelve months from October 1st to September 30th. Southern California typically receives about 90% of it’s rainfall from October through April.

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It basically boils down to this:

Less rain=weak turf=increased weed and disease pressure=

weaker turf=a long, tough Summer

Bunker Liners

This photo was sent to me the other day. It looks as though, the liner was exposed when a player was raking the bunker smooth after their shot. The rake caught the fabric and pulled it up, along with the gravel underneath. We have been seeing this quite often, as the liners are beginning to tear. Whenever we see this, it is fixed THAT DAY. Unfortunately, we don't always see what is just below the surface of the sand. With repairs and adding sand to high use bunkers we hope to avoid this situation in the future. If you run across something like this, be sure to inform the golf shop so they can relay the message to have it fixed asap.

Driving Range Project

Following a week spent removing the last 15+ years of topdressing, we laser leveled and installed new sod on the upper tee. The sod went into a little shock, as it was non-overseeded Bermuda out of the desert. It has since began to bounce back.

The new matting is installed much like carpet. After measuring, it is simply cut to fit, followed by gluing to the existing concrete pad.

Ready for use after only one day!

Driving range practice

 

This is especially useful for us here at SHCC as we

don't have a lot of room on our driving range tees.

By using this technique we reduce the impact to just

a small area, potentially allowing for more days hitting

off grass as opposed to mats.

Verti-darining greens

Turf Time West verti-drain service. A quick video showing our upcoming verti-drain service we have scheduled on March 11th. Notice there is minimal surface disruption, even though the machine is pushing 6"-8" deep. This process has been very beneficial in helping us move water deeper into the soil profile.

Drainage problems

 

The course is of an age that many of the drains have lost their functionality. These are pictures of a project we completed in the Spring of 2012. The drain line ran below the cart path on #12, fed from one of the concrete v-ditches on the right side of the hole. You can see the effect that tree root intrusion can have on a drain, as the roots hold debris and soil to create a solid mass of MUCK! Luckily we were able to clear the blockage without the need to run a whole new line. This is just one example of the many jobs we do that don't really enhance the golf course, yet are very necessary.

 

Root pruning

. We have been doing quite a bit of root pruning around the greens. Trees such as the Peppers we have around the course are often planted too close to the greens. The shallow roots grow into the greens, taking the water from the grass, creating stress. Following the trenching, we put in a sheet metal barrier to stop future encroachment.