Ebb and flow of a golfing season

I was just looking over some stats the other day to help me put into perspective just how much this seasons weather differs from the last. I had a pretty good feeling that there was more rain this season and that it was much cooler but was shocked to see how much these variables have impacted our water usage. All the information that I'm going to share with you I would believe to be very accurate to our location, due to the fact we have a weather station at the Turf Care Center. The weather data has been taken from the date range of April 1 - July 31. In 2012 we received 142ml(5.6inches) of rain, and in 2013 we received 370ml(14.6inches). On average the temperature during this time period in 2012 was 15.4C, and in 2013 it was 13C. Now to the data that I have found to be the most interesting. To today's date we have used a total of 4.8 million gallons of irrigation water. Last year in the month of July alone we used 5.6 million gallons of irrigation water. Over the course of the season in 2012 it totalled 17 million gallons of water. That's quite the difference, but hey that's the ebb and flow of weather.

I'm sure a lot of you have been wondering whats going on between 3 and 9? Well the first year of my arrival at Idylwylde I said "it's imperative that a golf course has a green height sod bed." so we built one and boy did that pay off this season. So now that the one on 8 has been exhausted, what if we need more next season? That's why another one is being built (bottom of picture). We will now have two and can alternate, as the sod is not usable until at least a year after seeding. A tee/fairway height sod bed is also being constructed (top of the picture) to repair damaged areas as well possibly construct a tee? It's almost guaranteed that we will have some damage in our fairways after winter so moving forward we can be more self sustaining.

Sod beds between 3 & 9

Over the past couple of weeks I hope you have noticed some change to the condition of a significant majority of the sand traps. For the most part a lot of our sand traps have sand in them, it's just in the wrong part of the trap (low areas). To deal with this we have gone in and shoveled sand from those spots into utility vehicles and redistributed it to the areas of the traps that require it. This not only provides a more consistent distribution of sand but creates a more preferable shape to the trap. Ideally when a ball is hit into a trap it should end up in the bottom or flatter part of the trap. We're not always going to be able to produce that result but will definitely increase the potential for that to happen continuing with this process. Due to the condition of the sand trap on 14 and timing we have decided to rebuild it as you may have noticed. I'm hoping we can have it completed by weeks end?

Once again for all you horticulturalist out there, my favorite garden on the golf course is blooming with one of my favorite perennials. The purple spike like flower that is most showy in the garden is Liatris spicata "Liatris". Check it out next time on your way by, what a beauty.

Have you ever seen a Peregrine falcon before? The last couple of season we have had one hanging around the property. This picture was taken last week form the bunker on 14 that is being renovated.

Remember we will be aerating the greens on August 26th and 27th. I know this is disappointing to many but it is a crucial cultural practise to the success of the greens. Fear not we will be removing half the amount of holes this season as I'm making some changes to the way we manage the thatch and compaction. They will be back in no time.

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well for more pictures and updates on what were up to.

Jay Sisko
Golf Course Superintendent