Current Local Radar (April 9, 2020)
Current Local Radar
New Eagle Photos (September 20, 2008)
Dan Hesling (One of our members) has been watching what he believes to be the same Eagles that are frequenting our golf course.
Is it the Tool or the Toolee? (September 19, 2008)
I know I've probably beat this subject to death over the years, but there is an ever growing awareness that ball marks are an issue on putting greens across the country.
Ike Remnants Still Pack Punch (September 15, 2008)
Strewn with broken tree limbs, branches and even a few trees, the golf course will no doubt take us a few days to clean up.
The Occasional Groundhog (September 15, 2008)
While on the move across the golf course, this groundhog stopped to eat some apples that were laying on the ground along the left side of #3 fairway. I took the opportunity to take a few photos.
Root Pruning (July 27, 2008)
Earlier this year we had pruned the tree roots along the fairways as well as many other areas. This photo clearly shows the fruits of our labor.
"Through rain, sleet or dead of night... (July 27, 2008)
The irrigation system can sometimes be considered the heart of the golf course operations and even during inclement weather "surgery" has to be performed
Lake View Sunset (July 27, 2008)
In an earlier blog I talked about a beautiful sunrise. How's this for a beautiful Lake View sunset
New Water Features Added to Lake View (July 22, 2008)
This is by far the most rain we've received in one shot in almost a decade.
General Update (June 19, 2008)
At dawn about a week ago, I captured this interesting sunrise. The colors are pretty close to what it actually looked like.
Another Hydraulic Leak (June 6, 2008)
Some of the equipment is getting pretty worn and is exibiting signs of fatigue.
Night Watering (June 6, 2008)
Occasionally, when running a nightime irrigation cycle, a sprinkler head will stick on. Depending on the start time, a "stuck head" could run all night long (12 hours).
High in the Trees (June 6, 2008)
This photo was taken behind #15 green. Almost un-noticed, this Poplar tree is in full bloom right now.
Flowers of Spring (April 28, 2008)
When Will the Driving Range Tee Open? (April 4, 2008)
Last fall we renovated and reseeded the top two tiers of the driving range tee.
How Did The Golf Course Winter? (April 2, 2008)
Well, the snow is still hanging on. This is the last of the snow since the recent snow melt and I hope the last of the snow for the season.
Flying High (March 27, 2008)
While taking a walk on the golf course, I had the opportunity to take a photo of our friend the Bald Eagle.
The Investigation Continues (March 20, 2008)
With the temperatures on the rise, all so briefly, I was hoping that the ice and snow melt would be a little further along.
Winter Storm Dumps 2 Feet of Snow (March 10, 2008)
Winter Storm Dumps 2 Feet of Snow
Winter Woes (March 6, 2008)
Every winter, one of the most dreaded concerns is the possibility of ice damage to the turf.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind (November 29, 2007)
But even though it's too cold to golf, the work required to maintain the golf course continues on in spite of the weather.
Long Term Outlook (November 28, 2007)
The National Weather Service is predicting a 40% chance that the temperatures will be above normal over the next 90 days.
Lake View Logo (August 22, 2007)
For those of you who may have missed it, I thought I'd post a photo of the logo my assistant Jack Burgess painted for the Member Guest.
A Little R&R for the Turf Care Staff (August 22, 2007)
To show my appreciation for all of their hard work this summer, I threw a little picnic for my staff and their guests.
The Heron is Back (August 22, 2007)
Just about this time every year, as long as I can remember, this Heron hangs around the ponds on the golf course searching for food.
Got Water? (July 18, 2007)
I thought it might be a good idea to re-post some past blogs in regard to the subject of watering and syringing.
Staying with the Theme (July 17, 2007)
Rather than disturbing more tree roots by tapering the soil we decided to errect a stone wall to make the transition.
Open For Play (July 17, 2007)
Offering a new angle for the tee shot on hole number 17, the new forward tee is now open for play.
Tools of the Trade (July 11, 2007)
As soon as I saw the advertisement, I knew I had to have one of those new sprinkler head leveling gadgets but my hopes were shattered once I inquired about the price.
Leaving Well Enough Alone (June 5, 2007)
Sometimes doing nothing at all can be the best remedy.
*%$# &* Anyhow! (May 24, 2007)
It never fails. Just when things are going pretty good, something happens to mess it up.
Smooooooth! (May 21, 2007)
Lots of Roots! (May 18, 2007)
Just as suspected, the drain line on #9 line was packed full of tree roots. Even though this was a non-perferated pipe, over time, the roots managed to find a way in.
Bald Eagle (May 17, 2007)
Often roosting in the same tree, I was able to at least get a photo of the eagle's silhouette in the distance.
Made in America (May 17, 2007)
Have you noticed the new tee markers?
The Devil's Apple (May 17, 2007)
Almost hidden from view, the blossom from this Mayapple goes without notice to the passer-by.
Drainage on #9 (May 17, 2007)
Dealing with Slow Play (April 30, 2007)
Our own Erik Barzeski along with his staff at "The Sand Trap" will be be addressing the issue of slow play the entire week. As slow play can affect most clubs it may be worth a look.
What Is It? (April 29, 2007)
There has been numerous sightings of this creature on and around the golf course. Can you guess what it might be?
Like Clockwork (April 29, 2007)
At just about the same time every year, the snapping turtles are on the move. I took this photo as this little snapper was crossing #11 fairway on its way toward the pond on #10.
Early Blooms (April 24, 2007)
Another name for the plant used to be "birthroot," originating from its use in easing the process of childbirth.
A Little Sand Please (April 23, 2007)
Adding topdressing helps firm the surface and increases macro pores for good root growth.
Ramp It Up (April 21, 2007)
Often used as a food source or as a spice for other foods the Native Americans would dry these plants and store them for later use.
As Luck Would Have It (April 12, 2007)
Wow, it was windy last night. The windows were rattling in the house and the neighbor's lawn furniture was on its way to the land of Oz.
Without Ladders (April 2, 2007)
Now that's talent! With a good harness and a few lengths of rope, Tommy our certified tree climber, is trimming up the lower branches on this Red Oak tree.
Free Oxygen (April 2, 2007)
As core aerification is very important in the management of our greens it is important that we implement that processwe at least once a season.
And They're Off! (March 29, 2007)
What a bonus for us so far this year. It's only March 28th and the snow is gone, the grass is already starting to grow and believe it or not, we are mowing and rolling.
Golf Cart Control (March 5, 2007)
I must say that it is very frustrating to have someone drive a golf cart through an area that you have just spent a considerable amount of time and effort in restoring it.
Sneek Peek (March 1, 2007)
With the recent warmer temperatures, just enough snow melted in a few places to allow me to take a little peek to see what's going on under the snow.
Continuing Education in February (February 27, 2007)
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry Conference and Show in Anaheim, California. Packed full of education and the latest and greatest in turf equipment and golf course accessories, I was able to participate in several educational seminars as well as dream about getting some of the new equipment that was displayed.
Air Exchange (September 19, 2006)
When we think of soils and the plants growing in them we often overlook the importance of air and the exchange of gases as a vital part of growing healthy turf.
OOPS! (September 8, 2006)
There are footprints on the putting green.
New Aerification Schedule (September 6, 2006)
PHEW WEE!...with a Big Sigh! (July 14, 2006)
We've finally finished up some big projects!
New Course Ratings (June 28, 2006)
The new course and slope ratings are in.
Interesting Moth (June 1, 2006) Adios Amigos (May 26, 2006) Turf Disease Runs Rampant (May 19, 2006) Beyond Ridiculous! (May 15, 2006) Technology and Golf Course Management (May 14, 2006) How Long Will It Last? (May 12, 2006) E-mail Addresses (May 11, 2006) Finally Some Rain (May 11, 2006) Moving Along (May 10, 2006) The Capotis Brothers Hard at Work (May 1, 2006) The Sodding Has Begun! (May 1, 2006) Tee Renovations Underway (April 23, 2006) Tee Renovations Moved up Two Weeks (April 12, 2006) Down the Home Stretch (April 7, 2006) Ants in the Pants (March 31, 2006) B E A utiful! (March 30, 2006) On the Mend (March 23, 2006) Lost Golf Ball (March 14, 2006) Stretching the Mighty Dollar (March 10, 2006) New Member Orientation (February 28, 2006) Ball Mark Repair...Is it Catching On? (February 14, 2006) Hot Metal (February 13, 2006) Tooting Your Own Horn! (February 13, 2006) Continuing Education (February 13, 2006) Better Than New? (February 3, 2006) New Video Link (January 17, 2006) I Almost Forgot! (January 13, 2006) No Golfers? (January 12, 2006) Snow Fence (January 12, 2006) Winter Equipment Maintenance (January 12, 2006) Why Aerating a Golf Course is Vital (November 11, 2005) Winterizing the Irrigation System (October 20, 2005) Preparing For The Up Coming Tee Renovations (October 20, 2005) The Forgotten Magic of Lime? (October 19, 2005) Just in Time! (October 19, 2005) Winter Blanket (October 18, 2005) The Final Touches (October 18, 2005) The Year From H E Double L (October 12, 2005) Reclaiming Lost Greens (October 12, 2005) Down But Not Out! (August 12, 2005) Ball Mark Repair Again! (June 24, 2005) Shade and Grass? (June 23, 2005) A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (June 23, 2005) Bunker Renovation Continues (June 23, 2005) Brown Patch (June 17, 2005) Cutworms are Causing Some Minor Damage (June 17, 2005) Wipe Your Feet! (June 11, 2005) Something Extra (June 11, 2005) Seed Head Supression on Fairways (June 6, 2005) What Constitutes a Dead Tree? (June 6, 2005) Raking a Sand Bunker (June 1, 2005) Divot Repair (June 1, 2005) Ball Mark Repair (June 1, 2005) Don't Tread Lightning (May 27, 2005) No Pull Carts Permitted! (May 26, 2005) Traffic Control (May 26, 2005) New Videos Added to Web Site (May 24, 2005) Flowering Trees (May 21, 2005) Annual Bluegrass in Full Bloom (May 16, 2005) Mallards Visit Lake View (May 10, 2005) Purple Spots on The Fairways (May 7, 2005) May is American Wetlands Month (May 6, 2005) Serviceberry Bloom (May 5, 2005) And We Have a Winner! (May 5, 2005) Snow Again! (May 3, 2005) Snow...Mini Drought...Then Snow Again (April 26, 2005) College Student Submits New Lake View Design (April 26, 2005) Drainage (April 20, 2005) Mysterious Salamander (April 20, 2005) New Golf Cars (April 19, 2005) April 14th and some areas are still frozen below the surface. (April 15, 2005) Poor Soils (April 15, 2005) First mowing on greens 2005 (April 11, 2005) Frost (April 11, 2005) Snow Damages Landscapes & Trees (April 6, 2005) Another Taste of Winter (April 4, 2005) Ice Damage again......But Not at Lake View (April 4, 2005) Snow Still Hanging On (March 30, 2005) Disease Resistant Grasses (March 28, 2005) Early Spring Activity (March 17, 2005) Employee Appreciation Gathering (March 16, 2005) Drainage, Drainage, Drainage (July 25, 2004) Irrigation Woes (July 22, 2004) Relentless (July 21, 2004) How soon we Forget! (July 21, 2004) Continuing our Efforts on #10 (July 14, 2004) Party Time! (July 13, 2004) New Technology (July 6, 2004) Going Native (July 6, 2004) Continuing the Bunker Program (June 28, 2004) The Hidden Nemesis (June 25, 2004) Dark Green Rings on Greens (June 23, 2004) Behind the Scenes (June 22, 2004) Rainbow (June 15, 2004) Ladies Tee #2 (June 15, 2004) Japanese Beetle Larvae (June 14, 2004) Ladies Tee #11 (June 14, 2004) Bird Droppings (June 14, 2004) Green Speed! (June 11, 2004) Snapping Turtle Eggs (June 10, 2004) Sun Light Rules! (June 9, 2004) Mystery Disease? (June 9, 2004) Lost Ball (June 8, 2004) It's That Time of Year Again! (June 7, 2004) Cutworms are Eating (June 7, 2004) Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 2, 2004) Oh the Frustration! (June 1, 2004) Cutworms are Feeding (May 27, 2004) Almost Done! (May 26, 2004) If it isn't Disease it's Bugs! (May 25, 2004) Making The Call (May 25, 2004) Black Algae (May 24, 2004) It's Still Raining! (May 24, 2004) So Much for Blue Skies! (May 21, 2004) Who Would Guess? No Rain Two Days in a Row! (May 20, 2004) Tournament Luck (May 19, 2004) Laser Range Finder (May 12, 2004) Here Comes the Sod (May 12, 2004) Drainage Drainage Drainage (May 10, 2004) Scouting for Grubs (May 10, 2004) Lightning Damage (May 9, 2004) Poa Annua - Annual Bluegrass (May 7, 2004) Topdressing (May 6, 2004) Natural Gas Seepage (May 5, 2004) Bunker Deterioration (May 4, 2004) Deep Tine Aeration (May 3, 2004) Fungus Amongus (May 1, 2004) Mother Nature as a Calendar (April 30, 2004) Making Progress (April 29, 2004) Pull Cart Rules (April 26, 2004) New Technology (April 24, 2004) Privet Damage (April 23, 2004) Projects Underway (April 22, 2004) Dynamic (April 21, 2004) IPM - A Campaign for the Environment (April 17, 2004) Snow?!? In April!? (April 15, 2004) Wild Hookers Tee it up at Lake View (April 12, 2004) What's that Special Grass? (April 10, 2004) Get Your Mower Ready (April 9, 2004) The Tree Mission (April 4, 2004) April is National Lawn Care Month (April 1, 2004) 10 Great Reasons to Love Your Golf Course Superintendent (April 1, 2004) Spring is Coming (March 31, 2004) Temporary Greens (March 31, 2004) Staff (March 24, 2004) Repairing Ball Marks (March 23, 2004) What's the Difference Between a Superintendent and a Greenkeeper? (March 21, 2004) Raking Bunkers (March 7, 2004) Irrigation and Syringing (March 4, 2004) Maintenance Overview (February 28, 2004) Mowing & Manicuring (February 24, 2004) Wild Life Gallery (February 24, 2004) Wild Life and the Environment (February 24, 2004) Course Setup (February 18, 2004) Trees: Man's Friend or Golf's Enemy? (February 11, 2004) Basic Terminology (February 10, 2004) A Step-By-Step Guide to Consistent Bunkers (February 4, 2004) What is "Grain" on a Green? (February 4, 2004) Repairing Divots (February 2, 2004) Employee Training (January 29, 2004) Golf Cars and Cart Paths (January 24, 2004) What's a Frost Delay? (January 24, 2004) Why Aerify? (January 24, 2004) Personal Lightning Safety Tips (January 21, 2004) Aerification and Topdressing (January 19, 2004) What is the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program? (January 14, 2004) Why Can't We have Faster Greens? (January 14, 2004) What is Topdressing? (January 8, 2004) How do Trees Affect the Quality of a Putting Green? (January 4, 2004) What is a "USGA Specification" Green? (January 4, 2004) What is a "Push Up" Putting Green? (January 4, 2004) Why Water in the Daytime? (January 4, 2004)
It seems that the area around our Turf Care Center is a good place to scout for moths. A while back I posted a photo of a Luna Moth in the Wild Life section of our web site. This time around it's a Silkmoth. For more info click
In spite of several rain events, in just a few days over 4 weeks the project was completed ahead of schedule.
With the recent rains and the cool temperatures, the conditions have been perfect for the development of cool season turf diseases.
If you have ever felt intense anger coursing through your body then you know how I feel right now.
One of my personal interests involves the use of technology in regard to golf course management. With the advent of global positioning systems (GPS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are becoming more common place in many businesses.
...the American Society of Golf Course Architects(ASGCA)has compiled a list various golf course items with their expected life cycles.
With only three holes left to finish and sod we are way ahead of schedule.
Originally scheduled for a May 1st start, the tee renovations have been rescheduled to commence on Monday April 17th. Due to the mild weather, we decided to take advantage and get an early start.
Since that time, other manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and are now offering new and improved versions with less moving parts and better performance. I think a couple of these newer mowers will go on my "wish list."
The snow melts, the sun comes out and it's time for golf. Just two days into some decent weather and already the questions are forthcoming.
That's how to describe the weather yesterday and today along with what we're expecting on Friday. What a great way to start the golfing season.
Just when the final repairs ended on the tractor engine mentioned in an earlier blog entry, a broken connecting rod in one of the older green mower engines was discovered.
Over the years the tree had grown around the golf ball completely enveloping it.
Until recently we were at the mercy of the manufactures producing the plant protectants as they held the patents on their products and could set their own price. As these patents run out other manufacturers are now producing these same or similar products and are offering them at a lower price.
If you are sponsoring a new member, please direct them to this web site so they too can help us in our efforts to provide an enjoyable golfing experience for everyone.
Finally someone else is jumping on this wagon in yet another attempt to enlighten the golfing public of their misdeeds relating to ball mark repair.
After further investigation Dan, the assistant mechanic, discovered the reason why this tractor was not operating properly.
Gordon J. Seliga, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Lake View Country Club in North East has earned three environmental management specialist certificates from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America...
This year the Golf Industry Conference and Show (GIS) was held in Atlanta Georgia. Packed with educational seminars and work shops, I had the opportunity to attend five different classes.
Kevin, the Chief Equipment Technician, through his ingenuity and skills, was able to redesign the frame by adding additional bracing to overcome the poor design flaw.......If I had my wish, I'd like to replace it with a new one but the budget is strecthed tighter than the strings on my grandpa's banjo, so It will have to remain just that... A Wish.
If you haven't been to the USGA's web site in a while, it might be worth a visit.
This year is being dubbed by many in the industry as the worst year in the past twenty years.
As most of our members know, one of my pet peeves is the fact that the majority of golfers, including our membership, just don't know how to repair a ball mark.
Earlier this year one of the members asked me why the grass around the bunkers on the right side of #15 green was thin and in poor condition.
Why do we aerate? The proof is in the picture.
Adding strategy to the golf course this project will include the addition of two fairway bunkers.
With all of the humid weather last week some of the fairways are infected with Brown Patch.
Just about this time every year we usually experience some minor damage from cutworms.
Many members are unaware of the proper etiquette when playing out of a sand bunker.
As an experiment, we decided to treat a portion of one of #17 fairway with the same product we used on greens to suppress seed heads.
One of the most controversial aspects discussed on many golf courses is the topic of tree removal.
Video Selections on raking sand traps and bunkers.
Video Selections on properly repairing divots.
Video Selections on Ball Mark repair.
Every year more people are killed or injured by lightning than by tornadoes, floods or hurricanes.
Help us provide a better golf course by reminding fellow members and guests to keep pull carts away from the green and tee banks.
In our continuing efforts to provide the membership with the best playing surfaces possible, we have added new videos to the archive.
Sometimes we're so focused the game of golf or in my case with maintaining the golf course and we fail to notice the beauty on the golf course.
As we've all experienced, when the Poa Annua (Annual Bluegrass)is flowering, the greens become very bumpy and are slower than usual.
Every Spring a group of Mallard Ducks stop in for a visit.
During relatively warm sunny days (60 to 65 F) the plants are actively photosynthesizing creating photosynthates (sugars).
May is the month we recognize and celebrate the wonderful ways wetlands enrich the environment and people.
Around this time each year the serviceberry tree blooms.
The Yellow Spotted Salamander - Ambystoma maculatum. To learn more about this little creature follow this link:
Although the snow prohibits us from performing tasks on the golf course it does give us an oppportunity to train the staff.
It got so dry we had to use the sprayer to water the greens that were wilting.
Nick Tedesco, son of member John Tedesco recently finished a school project involving the re-design of Lake View's Layout.
When the golf course was built back in the 1959-1960 era, clay tile was the choice for draining the golf course.
Usually early every Spring we spot one of these rather large slamanders traveling across the golf course.
On april 18th we received delivery of a new fleet of golf cars.
To our surprise we encountered a layer of frozen soil around 9 inches deep under many of the greens.
Why does the golf course drain so poorly?
From now until around Memorial Day we could have mornings with frost.
Not only did the last snow fall extend winter it also caused significant damage to the landscapes around the clubhouse and trees on the golf course.
April 4th 2005...Winter storm drops almost two feet of snow.
Two years ago, after winter's end, several of our greens were partially dead due to the wrath of Old Man Winter.
Can you believe it? March 30th and there is still snow on the greens.
As disease problems are a major concern in the management of turfgrass, grass breeders are developing newer varieties which are resistant to certain diseases.
On March 17th 2005 while inspecting the golf course, I came across this little Racoon.
In the fall of 2004, several members hosted a gathering to thank the employees from all departments for their hard work and efforts.
If you ever decide to build a golf course, the first three items on your list should be drainage, drainage, drainage.
A labor-consuming task, irrigation repair is not one of our favorite jobs but as the system ages the chances for failure increases, so it's something we'll have to get used to.
With the frequent rains and the humidity the golf course could be considered a haven for diseases. Only a plant pathologist could be happy with all the diseases we've had this year.
Over the years we have made many improvements to the golf course. Sometimes it's hard to remember how it used to look and the newer members are probably not aware of the many improvements we've made over the years.
With most of the heavy grading done on the bunkers at #10 right, we are now in the process of installing the drainage. With the recent rain we are a little behind but we hope to make up the losses in time for the 3 Day Member Guest.
With all of the recent rain and the high humidity it has been perfect conditions for many diseases to party on. On some of the tees Dollar Spot is very evident showing textbook signs of infection with the typical cotton ball mycelium.
This month we had the opportunity to demonstrate Jacobsen's latest and greatest walk-behind greens mower.
Bushes, grasses and trees around the pond attract wildlife, as does the wetland. Small mammals, waterfowl and songbirds enhance the aesthetics around a pond. Furthermore, these animals provide a valuable service because they consume insects and rodents that congregate around the pond.
As part of our bunker reconstruction efforts, we are now in the process of rebuilding the bunkers on the right side of #10 green.
Although everything looks calm on the surface, underneath the sod there is a fierce battle taking place. The prize? Space, food and water.
Fairy rings appear in any lawn, golf course or other turf areas during spring and summer months. The rings appear as either dark green or brown circular bands ranging in size from a few inches to 50 feet in diameter.
Oftentimes the forgotten anchor in our efforts to provide the membership with ideal conditions is the mechanic. Before we even mow a blade of grass the mechanic must make sure the equipment is in tip top shape.
On Monday night we got some well needed rain. In just a few minutes, the downpour blessed us with 6/10 of an inch of rain and shortly after, a rainbow.
The work at #11 forward tee went quicker than expected so we moved to #2 to re-level the forward tee there. The tee should be back in play in a few short days.
While we were stripping the sod from the forward tee at #11 we discovered many Japanese Beetle Larvae. Like many other turfgrass pests, if left unchecked these insects could cause significant damage. To learn more, click here.
Work is now underway on the forward tee at #11. From years of topdressing divots a hump had developed in the center of the tee.
On many of the greens you'll notice small areas of turf that are dark green around the perimeter with a brown spot in the center.
Perfect, fabulous, unbelievable were some of the words the visiting Pros used to describe the greens for the Pro-Am on Friday. Comments like that are should good for my ego but I really can't take full credit for the condition of the greens.
Snapping turtles lay 20-40 eggs at a time, each the size of a ping-pong ball. The eggs hatch in early autumn. Snapping turtles prefer muddy lakes and ponds, as well as slow-moving rivers.
One of the most limiting factors controlling the growth of plants is sun light. Trees growing too close together will produce branches only in areas that receive sun light.
With the multitude of diseases that attack the turf, it is often difficult to accurately identify some diseases. This looks like Summer Patch or it could be Yellow Patch but I can't be certain without test results from a certified pathology lab.
Anyone lose a golf ball on the left side of #2?
What a gorgeous weekend we had. The greens were rolling fast and true and we are finally getting some roll on the fairways.
Cutworms can be hungry little buggers.
Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 20-26, 2004. Learn more.
After a decent weekend with sunny skies and little rain it was nice to get back to the normal flow of the work week. As usual I make my rounds to inspect each green for insects disease and the like and to see how they faired with the heavy play from the weekend.
While inspecting the greens I spotted this cutworm burrow. If you look close you can see where the cutworm had been munching on the turf around the entrance to its burrow.
With all of the rain we've been getting, I thought we would never get to finish #13. Today we were able to haul in the sand and start the finishing process.
I snapped this photo in the landscape bed behind # 9 green. On their way down from the Lake Ontario area these little Viburnum Leaf Beetle Larvae are chewing the heck out of the Snowball Virburnums.
ortant decisions a golf course superintendent has to make involves the usage of golf carts during inclement weather. Making this decision often affects areas of the operation other than the golf course.
Under wet conditions, Black Algae is a sure sign of poor drainage.
When is the rain going to end? We haven't mowed a blade of grass since Friday the 21st. The weekend was a washout and overnight and this morning we got another inch of rain.
I thought for sure we were going to slip by without rain. The six o'clock weather report said the rain was over and we were in the clear. Well that didn't happen.
Taking advantage of the break in the weather the staff continues on the left bunker on #13. Sod is scheduled for delivery tommorow.
So far this year we've been lucky with good weather for the tournaments. The days surrounding both the Men's Stag and the Battle of the Lakes were gloomy with rainfall.
To provide the membership with the most accurate yardage at the Driving Range, we will be installing a laser range-finding system.
It looks that we finally got lucky. Sod orders have to be ordered a week in advance, so last week we had to estimate the best weather day to take the delivery for this week.
What seems to be a never-ending task, drainage is one of the most important aspects of golf course management. In the first photo below a staff member is using an electronic wire locator to mark the irrigation wires.
Last month I mentioned the Forsythia bloom and how it was time to start looking for the Black Turgrass Ataenius beetles and sure enough that's what I found.
On Saturday night several lightning producing thunderstorms rolled through the area. Unfortunately this Spruce tree was hit with a bolt of lightning and now its days are marked.
It's that time of the year again and the Poa seed heads are starting to pop. Soon the greens tees and fairways will have that white cast from the numerous seed heads this plant produces.
As important as aerating, topdressing not only smoothes the putting surface it also dilutes the organic component in the thatch zone. Adding topdressing helps firm the surface and increases macro pores for good root growth.
There is an old gas well in the middle of the approach on #3 fairway. Oftentimes you can smell natural gas when passing by this area.
Our crew takes great pride in making sure the bunkers are smooth with a crisp transition between the grass and the sand.
As part of our aeration program each spring we aerate the greens with a "deep tine."
With the cool wet weather we've been experiencing, it's been ideal for the growth of Fusarium Patch or "Pink Snowmold". Snow Mold?
Many times golf course superintendents will use special events such as the flowering of Forsythia to indicate the timing of certain practices on the golf course.
Finally a couple of dry days. Work continues on the left bunker on #13 green.
Pull carts much like regular golf carts can cause wear and tear on the golf course.
As the demand for higher green speeds increases, the ability of Golf Course Superintendents to produce the desired results is often limited to the current equipment available on the market.
It seems as though someone either doesn't like Privet Hedges or they have a serious problem with the operation of their motor vehicle!
We are currently working on several improvement projects.
The dictionary defines dynamic as…
Over the past few years we have adopted and are continuing to expand upon an Integrated Pest Management program or "IPM."
Coming out of what was a decent weekend for golf (April 10th & 11th) we were raring to go.
Renée and Gordon Seliga (next door neighbors to the practice range at Lake View Country Club) claim there are "Wild Hookers" hitting golf balls toward their home.
In the course of meeting new people and telling them that I'm a Golf Course Superintendent, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "What's that special grass that grows so low?"
The arrival of spring begins the lawn mowing season and often times we neglect the most crucial tool in a good lawn maintenance program: the lawn mower.
Many golf courses are returning to their roots courses with fewer trees. In the beginning, trees on the golf course were hardly an issue because often there weren't any, or very many on many courses.
With the coming of spring, most golf course superintendents have plenty to keep them busy at their courses.
Reasons to love your superintendent. C'mon, you know you want to!
In light of the winter damage that occurred last winter it was a long wait to see how the golf course faired over this winter. The long wait is finally over and it looks like Old Man Winter spared us this time.
It's that time of the year again, the days are getting longer and the snow is starting to melt.
Meet the grounds crew!
Ball marks, those indentations caused when a ball lands sharply on a soft green, have been ruining good putts since the days of Old Tom Morris.
Greenkeeper was the original title given to the person responsible for the maintenance of a golf course. Superintendents do much more these days.
Sand bunkers are enough of a hazard without the bad lies caused by an unraked surface, so here are some quick tips for making sure that the next golfer who faces your predicament isn't additionally cursed by an ungroomed bunker.
As one of the basic plant needs, water is one of the most critical when it comes to the plant's ultimate survival.
Golf courses across the world are unique, not only in their design but they are also different in their topography, soil conditions, resources, local climatology and so on.
In our efforts to provide the membership with the highest quality playing surfaces, mowing and grooming the turf is by far the most labor-intensive procedure performed.
Some photographs of our friendly animal neighbors.
In our continuing efforts, Lake View is a member of Audubon International with the goal of enrolling in The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS).
Course set up is typically carried out seven days per week and always for tournaments, weekends and heavy traffic days. Plus, an explanation of pin positions!
Trees have long been known to hinder healthy turfgrass growth, but solving tree problems can be a difficult and touchy issue.
Although there is no standardized formula or single maintenance program for every golf course, there are some basic agronomy terms you can use to communicate with the golf course superintendent at your facility.
Follow the rules and you can achieve consistency, but are you sure you want to? By Chris Hartwiger
Grain refers to the tendency of a species of grass to grow in a certain direction.
If you play golf, you create divots - it's part of the game.
In addition to having a good agronomic plan for the golf course it is equally important to have well trained employees to implement the plan.
Golf cars are a convenience enjoyed by millions of players and a necessity for many golfers with disabilities. However, when they are driven improperly, they can cause serious damage to the course.
Footprints can be a killer on a chilly morning. Frost delays occur for a reason.
Then, you see them, those little holes in the green. Arrrgh!
Teach this safety slogan: "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."
One of the most important cultural practices that is carried out on golf courses is aerification.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses is sponsored by the Audubon International and the USGA.
Years ago, there was a man named Edward Stimpson who loved golf and craved to create more fairness in the game. To further his passion, he invented a device intended to ensure that all the greens on a course were of relatively equal speed. Sometimes bad things happen to good ideas.
It is the maintenance practice of spreading matter over a putting green to level and smooth the surface.
Golf course superintendents are constantly monitoring the amount of tree coverage on the course because of its impact on turf conditions.
As traffic increased on the golf courses, putting greens began to show an inability to handle this wear and compaction that inhibited drainage.
Early golf courses were built from a mixture of soil, organic matter and sand from the site of construction.
Under optimum soil and turf conditions, deep infrequent watering cycles would be the best way to water the turf and this certainly could happen at night. But we are not blessed with such conditions.
"The chief object of every golf architect or greenkeeper worth his salt is to imitate the beauties of nature so closely as to make his
work indistinguishable from nature itself. "
Alister MacKenzie
