Course Update 6.25.26: Summer Weather, Fertilizer Applications, and Vertical Mowing

9 Gold Green on Thursday 6.25.

Last weekend was spent cleaning up after Friday's storms. Our crew once again did an outstanding job repairing bunkers and removing debris. Since then, we've remained rain-free despite exceptionally hot and humid conditions. Our maintenance efforts this week primarily focused on catching up with routine mowing, fairway vertical mowing, and keeping greens healthy. 

Recent rains have resulted in thick rough. 10 Blue primary rough on 6.25

Bermudagrass tees, fairways, and roughs continue to grow rapidly. While rough mowing heights have not changed, the rough is certainly thick and playing more penal. To keep conditions manageable, we are mowing roughs twice each week whenever possible.

18 Blue Fairway three days after vertical mowing.

We have also continued battling fairway scalping caused by turf grain, recent rains, and the age of many of our fairways. To improve mowing quality, crews are vertical mowing several fairways each day. In July, we'll expand this program with more aggressive vertical mowing followed by sand topdressing across most fairways.

Applying fertilizer to #7 Gold Fairway.

This week we also began applying our summer fertilizer program to all tees, fairways, and roughs. While it may seem unusual to fertilize during a period of rapid growth, the turf is using a tremendous amount of energy this time of year. The product is approximately 80% slow-release nitrogen, providing a light, consistent feeding over the next 10 to 12 weeks to help the turf remain healthy through the summer.

Bentgrass greens continue to perform well, although putting speeds have naturally slowed with the heat and humidity. Our summer focus is keeping the greens healthy by reducing mechanical stress, light venting/aeration (last completed on Monday 6.22), precise hand watering, and commitment to a comprehensive spray program. 

We're also planning to install a new fan at #9 Gold green. If it performs as advertised we may also replace the existing fan on #18 Blue green with the same style.  We'll share more about the benefits of fans in an upcoming update.

Thanks for your continued support, and stay cool out there!