Winter Conditions

Many weather records have been broken this winter so far. With this kind of weather, turf (in particular greens) can go through changes that have many different outcomes. Academic research, has shown that certain turf species can survive under ice for different lengths of time. Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua) has been said to last only 45-90 days under ice. Bentgrass can survive up to 120 days.

With that said, we have sampled greens at an interval of 2 samples per week since late December. Thankfully, the turf looks good within these samples. There is a lot of winter left and the worse conditions may still be coming. Crown hydration may still be an issue when the "big" melt happens. We are closely monitoring the turf conditions and will continue to do so throughout the rest of this record breaking winter.

We have also created a testing area on the one of our practice greens. This area will give us valuable insight into how removing snow can affect ice layers on turf. Our hope is to learn as much as we can about the timing of snow or ice removal, techniques to remove ice, and how different weather patterns can affect these decisions. We have also brought plugs from greens into the shop to see how they grow out of dormancy. Thus far, the plugs have grown out of dormancy well.

For further information check out the MSU Turf Teams blog at http://www.msuturf.blogspot.com/2014/03/ice-and-poa-survival-update.html. Click here for a letter from Drs. Frank and Vargas from MSU http://www.migcsa.org/uploads/Winterkill-Letter-2014.pdf.

Plugs that have been removed from greens so far.

Snow removal on the Old Putting Green

Turf inspection

After clearing a portion of the green. 

Continuing Education

This month Radrick Team Members attended the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, FL. We attended sessions hosted by both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). We attended educational sessions that included the topics of bunker maintenance, winter injury in Northern climates, renovation project management, and picked up many tech tips on the trade show floor. We are grateful to have the opportunity to learn and improve. It’s great to catch up with industry contacts as well as meet new ones and share best practices.

I was fortunate to serve on the GCSAA Election Committee for the first time in my career. It was a great experience and I look forward to serving this great organization again in the future. Attending this conference helps us discover new ways to continuously improve our operations as we strive to create exceptionally valuable golf experiences for the University of Michigan community.

"What Do You Do All Winter?"

Happy New Year from the Maintenance Team!

The most single asked question we get, is "what do you do all winter?".

The winter off-season includes snow removal, tree pruning and removal, equipment maintenance and repair, and construction or renovation of golf course features that can include tees, greens, bunkers and rough areas. It is also critical that the turf conditions are heavily monitored for health.

Planning and training is a big part of the off-season as well. Fertilizer and chemical applications plans are made, as are cultural practice plans for the next year. Our Team works very diligently to prepare for the unexpected weather Mother Nature can dish out. Team members renew memberships with industry partners and gain more training in areas like safe tree maintenance=.

Winter is also the time for continuing education. This off-season, some of our Team members will attend the Michigan Turfgrass Conference as well as the GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) Conference. These conferences provide educational updates to new turf products and procedures in managing cool-season grasses. These educational opportunities are key to our success in maintaining quality turf conditions.

South Property Update:  Trees have continued to be planted on the left of 6. We will assess the need for additional tree plantings in the spring as well.

Four Norway Spruces have been planted on the left of 6 fairway. Four more are planned to be planted this winter.

December Maintenance

The Maintenance Team has been busy working on the 15th hole's front-left greenside bunker. It is being renovated to function and appear the way it was constructed. Bunker sand and sod is removed from the face, the original edges are found and graded to where the bunker edge should be located. It will then get new sod and sand levels will be adjusted to meet our standard criteria

Off-season bunker rebuilding is a common practice at Radrick Farms Golf Course.  While the weather conditions can be rough on the Team, it is easier and more efficient than doing this work during regular play.

Sod being laid on bunker face

Before

Bunker edge reclaimed and graded

Bunker Edge

Bunker Edge

Why Does the Golf Course Close?

Why does the golf course close when the forecast has a couple more nice days left?

The Maintenance Team needs the right weather conditions to apply fungicide to all bentgrass surfaces, topdress greens and pickup all the accessories from the golf course. These next couple of days look like the right weather to "put the golf course to bed" for the long unpredictable winter ahead.

Plant protectents are applied to all bentgrass surfaces to protect them against gray and pink snow mold. These diseases thrive in the cold wet conditions with or without snow. The conditions needed to apply the products include little to no wind and no moisture from rain or snow. They need to dry on the plant. The next couple of days look like our window to apply these products before the weather turns and stays cold.

Another important process is heavy topdressing on greens. This layer of sand helps protect the greens surface from desiccation from the wind during the Winter. It also "tucks-in" the crown of the plant for the long haul until Spring. This topdressing takes place after the fungicide has been applied and has dried.

The last steps of winter preparation include cleaning all leaf and tree debris off the golf course, storing all the accessories from the tees and bunkers, roping greens, and installing silt fence around key bunker faces.

The Maintenance Team has appreciated our customer support for the entire 2013 season. We thank you for your continued understanding and support of the maintenance practices here at Radrick. We hope you have a great holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the Spring of 2014.

Fall Maintenance Update

The Maintenance Team has been busy this fall working on core aeration of the greens, tees, collars and approaches.  We have also been planting new trees on 8 and 9 to protect the natural feel of the property from the neighboring development work.

We will be aerating the north practice green with our new deep tine machine this month and experimenting with tine size and spacing so we can determine its use in the cultural program we have for the greens for next season.

Please be conscious of the Maintenance Team while trees are being planted and leaves are being picked up.  Unfortunately, these are the types of maintenance activities that must be done during normal play. We appreciate your continued support!

Digging hole for new tree

90" Tree Spade bringing new tree in.

View after 7 trees planted

Close up of Norway Spruces that were planted

Greens Aeration

It's that time of year again when the Maintenance Team makes a big, huge mess on greens that have been in great shape all year.

Why do we aerate?

Here is a link to an USGA article that discusses why we aerate. http://gsr.lib.msu.edu/2000s/2003/030301.pdf

Here is another link to a video by the USGA. http://www.usga.org/turf/articles/video/aerate_greens.html

Greens will be aerated with a 1/2" hollow tine. Soil, thatch, and other matter are removed, then
the holes are filled with sand.  This process manages organic matter, relieves compaction and 
surface tension, and at the same time creates pore space for air and water. It also gives new 
roots an excellent place to thrive. Greens should be healed in within 10-14 days.

Aeration hole from this spring. Notice new roots in aeration hole filled with sand.