Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 5/24/16 - Day 2 Range Improvements

Progress continued on all items listed in our scope of work on Day 2 of our range improvements evidenced by the pictures below.

In the GCM yard Kevin and Larry continued to wash the driving range mats with high pressure and more importantly high volume water from the golf course irrigation system. It takes a harness attached to the mat to be SLOWLY pulled by a tractor to move the fibers in position for flushing.

We switched to  a larger pipe today making the process easier and slightly more efficient. It will take 2 guys 4 days to get these things clean.

Back at the range, Miguel jackhammers the concrete pad which he saw cut yesterday in preparation for drainage inlets to carry off  any irrigation or rain that might get under the driving range mat.

Drainage pipe exposed and ready for drain install.

Installed drainage inlet and pipe into existing drainage line.

Another task listed on the scope of work was getting golf course irrigation directed away from the artificial mat and pad which we have identified as a cause of premature mat deterioration. Our irrigation water comes out of the pond between holes #1 & #9 and not the cleanest as far as particulates. Moving  irrigation and maintaining coverage is something we are proficient at.

However it looks like a bomb went off when we are in the process of doing it.

On the left hand side of the range the contractor installs the posts for the net.

Out on the range we are aggressively core aerifying during the 4 day closure.

Aerification pattern.

We continued tree pruning as well on day 2. Below are the guys spreading the chipped material in the rock formation at the top of the range.

More progress will be made on day 3 as we wrap up drainage, irrigation, net installation, aerification and tree pruning. Thanks again for your patience.

Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 5/23/16 - Day 1 Range Improvements

We made good progress on day one of our planned driving range improvements. The improvements we are focusing on during the four days driving range closure are:

• 300' of netting up the LH side or range to catch balls from entering #18 FW.
• Improving the drainage of the synthetic "Tee Line" driving range mat.
• Redirecting irrigation patterns away from the synthetic "Tee Line" driving range mat.
• Clean the synthetic "Tee Line" driving range mat.
• Tree pruning.
• Core aerification and fertilizing
• Installing "Yardage Rocks"

Mondays Progress

First step was to remove the sections of dirty driving range mats and bring them to the maintenance yard.

 Once the mats were delivered to a sloped section of the maintenance yard, Kevin and Larry started a process of using golf course high pressure and volume water to flush all of the dirt and debris from the fibers of the mats. 

The process has proven to be painstakingly slow, however effective. 

The finished product felt better under foot as allot of dirt and grime have been washed out of the fibers. 

Looks allot better as well as compared to these rolls of dirty mats.

Now that the mats were removed and concrete pad exposed we can start installing some drainage in the pad to help remove inevitable moisture that will accumulate. 

Here is Miguel saw cutting the pad for drainage inlets that we plan to install that will remove water that accumulates under the mat.

On another front here is the contractor drilling holes for the installation of the poles to support the left side net. Poles will be 8' high and are installed 3-1/2' in the ground. 

All holes drilled without hitting any irrigation. Positive sign.

Enrique working on some tree trimming on the range. I suppose it is fairly obvious by our scope of work listed above that when there is an opportunity to close the  driving range you want to get as much done as you possibly can. Tree pruning is one of them.

My intention is to update every day during our progress this week so interested members can keep up with what is going on out there.  Thanks for your patience during the closure.

GB Rainbow

William Graber caught this image after the storm that blew through on Friday. 

Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 4/11/16

Aerification Healing

This week marks the third week since we aerified Greens, Fairways & Green Surrounds. Weather during the subsequent three weeks was about as perfect as it could have been for the healing process. We experienced some warm weather which helps get the turf growing along with some soaking rain last weekend which is always beneficial. Aerification holes in the greens have healed and we have lowered the height of cut (HOC) on them which we typically raise a bit directly after the aerification process. Surfaces are typically slow as the culmination of higher rates of fertilizer to promote rapid recovery take effect. Look for the greens to get quicker by week four as soil fertility wanes, and the the application of growth regulators take effect.

6 days after aerification directly after verticle mowing, seeding & light topdressing.

13 days after aerification

23 days after aerification

Fairway holes are still evident but will likely disappear next week as we applied fertility along with pre-emergent for crabgrass this week. We still have a little bit of topdressing sand to apply to the fairways which we will concentrate on landing areas next week. After this sand is brushed in it will hardly be noticeable.

Topdressing fairways. We have a little bit left to do next week.

Tee Re-Surfacing

We expanded and flattened the club tees on #13 and #14 this week. Additionally we removed some tree limbs that shaded these levels so the new sod and subsequent established turf will have a much better chance or thriving. We will try to open these tees in a couple of weeks, especially on #14 so we don't wear the cobble level out.

Prepping #13 Club Tee for new sod.

#13 Club Tee with new sod.

#14 Club Tee with new sod.

Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 3/28/16

Aerification Progress

We started the 2016 spring aerification process on Monday 3/21/16 by aerifying Tilleys practice green and the chipping green. After 10 days we have completed core aerification of all of the putting surfaces except the main PG which we left untouched so members can practice putting. We will get this one in a couple of weeks. Additionally we have completed all of the fairways and the putting green surrounds on hole #'s 1-9 & 10-13 & 15 as well as applying 20 tons per acre of topdressing sand to the fairways. On Monday 4/4/16 we will finish putting green surrounds on hole #'s 14 & 16-18. We could not have completed all of these areas in just 14 days without the alternating F9 & B9 closures that were instituted a few years ago. We appreciate your patience with this as we complete these crucial cultural practices to the turfgrass playing surfaces here at GBGC.

The aerification process went extremely well with hardly any damage to the turfgrass surfaces. Cleanup of the cores, which sometimes can be a little messy was almost flawless as well. We will be core aerifying rough areas over the next couple of weeks which doesn't require any closures. You will just get a lift in those areas when the process is underway and after we are done the areas should be very playable. Below are some more pictures of the fairway and putting surface surround aerification process for all who are interested.

The actual core aerification process is the same for putting surface surrounds or fairways.
Above is a tractor mounted aerifyer extracting cores on #4

Here is another walk behind core aerifyer working in the tighter areas around greens.

Here we are dragging the cores to break them up. This is done after a period of drying.
If we started dragging the cores immediately after extraction we would make a horrible
mess as the cores would be too wet. Allowing the cores time to dry so we can properly
clean them up is the primary reason we need the alternating closures.

Here we are chopping up the cores  with a vertical mower further aiding in removal.

Next step is to vacuum up the remnants.

Following vacuuming we blow, then mow, and then the FW surface is ready for sand.
After the sand drys we can then drag it into the aerification holes.

That's basically it. Thanks again for your support

Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 3/14/16

Spring Aerification Schedule

After two weeks of rain it now looks like as though the weather is going to cooperate with our aerification schedule for next week. After receiving over 4.5" of rain here at The Club over the past 10 days, the extended forecast is for dry weather with some days in the 70's. This forecast will likely bring the necessary dry conditions for putting surface aerification next week. Fairways might still be a little wet in spots but we should be fine. Below is the aerification schedule for the next  two week's.

To get all the holes filled with sand during the
aerification process we typically follow
mechanical brushing with 

Another labor intensive task of the aerification process
is the removal of the aerification cores during core aeration.

Tuesday 3/22/16 - Putting Surface Aerification Course Closed

Wednesday 3/23/16 - Fairway Aerification Front Nine Closed

Thursday 3/24/16 - Fairway Aerification Back Nine Closed

Tuesday 3/29/24 - Surrounds Aerification Front Nine Closed

Wednesday 3/30/16 - Surrounds Aerification Back Nine Closed

Thursday 3/31/16 - TBD Aerification TBD Closure 

Driving Range Improvements

The driving range has some improvements slated for 2016 and we are planning to get started on some of it this week. The overall scope of the improvements include a short fence along the left hand side of the range near the treeline to catch a large portion of range balls from proceeding past the OB line into #18. Additionally to solve the synthetic tee line drainage issues we need to reconfigure the irrigation of both driving range tee sprinklers and the turf area behind the driving range. Additionally we have some drainage panels to put under the synthetic tee line that will raise the mat slightly and allow for drainage from irrigation drift, (now that we have reconfigured direct irrigation) and rainfall. Also we have new bag stands coming which will add to the entire refreshment. 

We need to aerify the turf on the range as well along with other maintenance items which are impossible to do when the range is open. Therefore we will need to close the range at some point for a day or two which has yet to be determined but we will communicate far in advance. The work we hope to get started this week is the irrigation reconfiguration which no closure will be required.

Five gates still open this morning (Monday 3/14).  Reservoir is coming up
a little according to below FR chart.

Drought Update

There is really nothing to update other then believe it or not we are still technically in a drought despite all the rain and decent snow in the mountains. This drought has allowed  the State to move to a new normal in CA water use and I still believe it is and will be the defining issue not just for GBGC but for golf in the entire state moving forward. That being said you would think we would get some relief in the coming year when you look at the data below.

Slight up tick after the weekend storms 

Shasta now 103% of historical average and Oroville at 97%.
Great news for the State of CA.

Snow is slightly up from last week as well.

Golf Course Maintenance Weekly 3/7/16

Upcoming Golf Course Aerification

Spring aerification this year is scheduled to commence on Tuesday March 22nd weather permitting. The process of aerification and its associated cleanup cannot be done in wet conditions. Typically we would need a few days of dry weather to start the process on the greens and up to a week of dry weather before we can attempt starting  the fairways. Fortunately for now the extended forecast has wet weather through this coming Monday 3/14/16 then a dry, partly cloudy to sunny pattern through Monday 3/21/16. This should be perfect if it holds up, however we need to remain flexible if the forecast changes. I will update status, aerification details and course closures next week.

It needs to be dry to clean this mess up properly.

Drought Update

Our weather station here at GBGC measured 1.72" of rain from last Friday 3/4/16 through the Sunday 3/6/16. This brings our rainfall seasonal total here at GBGC to 13.16", over 11" behind the seasonal average of 24" for this area. The CIMIS weather station in Fair Oaks (#131) has recorded 13" through 3/7/16. I check this station frequently as a comparison and calibration to our on course weather station and there are storm events where we measure more precipitation here and others where the CIMIS station measures more. But as you can see, our totals are pretty close.

FR level as of 3/9/16.  I dont know if the level is an all time high for this
time of year but it has surpassed the 1982-1983 wettest year mark for March 9th.

Five flood gates open at FR releasing over 15,000 cfs. First time they have
been open since 2011 according to news reports.

Although our local rainfall accumulation is not overly impressive, I am hopeful other events statewide will bring us closer to easing drought restrictions in 2016. The reservoir near and dear to our hearts, Folsom Reservoir (FR) opened 5 spillways on Wednesday releasing over 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfc) for flood control. The politics of FR's release protocols are complicated however despite these releases the reservoir is now forcasted to be at capacity  after the Sierra snow melts this spring. Will FR's filling be enough to ease drought restrictions in 2016? Only time will tell.

State lake levels as of 3/9/16. Shasta and Oroville are almost
at historical average.

Best news for this drought is the snow water content
 is just below historical average.

GCM Working On More Irrigation This Week

We got started on another little irrigation project this week as well as cleaning up after trees the fell during last weeks storms. We needed to move some irrigation heads near the Granite tees on #13 to improve coverage in the area which we walk up to this teeing surface. After the irrigation improvement we plan to do some soil modification and re-sodding making this summer eye sore disappear.

Gama and his crew working on moving a
sprinkler head near #13 Granite Tee.

The walk-up area to #13 Granite Tee gets a little suspect
in the summer months. First things first, get the
irrigation right, a little sod, we should be good to go.

Walnut Shell Maintenance

In the spirit of proactive communication I wanted to address our walnut shell areas breifly. One unique feature of GBGC is the 5-1/2 acres of walnut shell areas under many of our native oak trees. These shelled areas are can be very attractive and a decent surface to play out of, but can get sparse and displaced particularly during the winter months. This is because walnut shell material it self is pretty unstable during rain events which is why refreshing them during this time of the year is counter productive. We have to purchase the shells early in the season as that is when they are available, however if we spread them out on the course at this time of the year we run the risk in a moderate to heavy rain event of having them all wash out onto the course. This year we are hoping to get the shells out in April sometime.

Walnut shell areas do get thin in the winter. The unstable nature of the material
keeps us from refreshing before the rainy season is over.

Walnut shells are already on the ground for 2016.
Once the rainy season is over, we will
put them out.