It's Bunker Time

As we do ever year, we are in the process of performing a mini-bunker renovation. With the average annual rainfall in Naples being just less than 60 inches, and 65% of this occurring between June and September, bunker washing and bunker sand contamination is an issue. Annual maintenance at the end of each summer enables us to avoid a costly complete bunker renovation.

The first step in the process is to remove the top layer of sand (1/2 to 1") from each bunker. 

The sand that is removed is used to topdress the bunker face. 

The remaining sand is them leveled to a consistent depth (2, 3 or 4"). Finally, new angular bunker sand is added to bring the total depth to a consistent 5" 

Fast and Firm Fairways

The golf course operations staff is performing the annual fairway topdressing this week. The application of sand to the fairways will reduce thatch and firm the playing surface (increase ball roll). 

Approximately 875 tons of sand will be dispersed on the 25 acres of fairways at Olde Florida Golf Club. The sand will be applied with four belt top dressing units. Two TyCrop material haulers will be used to transport the sand to the golf course from the golf course operations facility. 

Applying "Specticle" to make the Golf Course look Spectacular

This week the golf course operations staff at Olde Florida Golf Club completed an application of "Specticle" to all fairways and rough.

"Specticle" is a pre-emergent for weed control. It provides broad spectrum control of grassy weeds including crabgrass, goosegrass and more than 60 broadleaf weeds. Specticle has a very low use rate resulting in effective weed control with up to 40 times less active ingredient. 

The application to the fairways and rough was made with a boom sprayer (20 foot boom). 

The application to the bunker faces was made with a walking behind "spray hawk". At the low usage rate (4.5 ounces of product per acre) a precise application is important.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

The ability to manage and maintain a golf course is often dictated by forces outside the control of the golf course superintendent. The most obvious of these forces is weather. 

Each summer there are routine tasks that the golf course operation staff must complete in order to produce the highest quality playing surface in the busy winter golf season. The two primary and most critical of these tasks are aerification and vertical mowing.

Fairway Aerification 

I am pleased to report that due to the terrific weather and lack of exorbitant rainfall this summer, the staff is approximately 30 days ahead of schedule. This year, the rainfall recorded at Olde Florida Golf Club from January 1 to August 31, 2014 was 38.05”. As a comparison, last year for the same time period, Olde Florida had received 52.45”.

The average annual rainfall in Naples, Florida is just under 60". The majority of this occurs in the summer and is often heavy  

The last major cultural practice that will occur this summer will be fairway topdressing. The fairway counter lines have been redefined and the height of cut is slowly being lowered. Fairway topdressing will take place during the last closed week of the summer, September 15 - 22.

Re-establishing fairway counter lines at Olde Florida Golf Club