Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Four More Weeks!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Tuesday, May 19th and it has been four weeks since my last post. CLICK HERE  I don't know about you but I find the days long but cumulatively they are passing at a rapid rate.  I honestly can't believe we are now more than two months into whatever this is we are into.

 We are so fortunate and blessed that golf never stopped in North Carolina, and it brings me great pleasure knowing golf has restarted across the country and abroad.  I pray for my peers in Scotland they will soon be permitted to join the rest of us. 

 So, what all has happened since last time?  April was much cooler than March with many sunny days accompanied with strong northerly breezes.  That cool, dry Canadian air kept the grass in check and slowed the fast start the golf course got off to in March.  On the first day of astrological spring this year (March 19th) we were more than three weeks ahead of an average year based on cumulative growing degree days.  By the end of April that head start had shrunk to only two weeks.

 But despite all those cool, dry, breezy days April contained some major heavy rain events and our total for the entire month equaled 7.24 inches and the sixth wettest April on record!  We received 5.44 inches of that total in only three events!
Then May started cooler than April with two morning lows in the 30s!  We set a record low of 36 degrees on May 12th, we even had patchy frost in the rough!  Needless to say we are no longer way ahead of schedule based on GDD measurements.     
Frost May 12, 2020
But enough about the crazy weather, the golf course has seen a record number of rounds played the past two months and remains in great condition thanks in large part to the reduced traffic from the temporary cart ban.  In fact, it has been refreshing to see so many of you continuing to walk now that carts are once again permissible.  I know the ban was difficult for some of you, and we appreciate your patience as the club navigates its way thru this pandemic working hard to keep each of you safe.

 A couple of course related items before I wrap up.  We made the switch from inverted cups to cups with the foam pool noodle insert based on a request.  Seems a few folks may have encountered some potentially holed shots not remaining holed on the inverted setup, including a possible ace - sorry!  Since making the switch the feedback has all been positive.  I still eagerly await the day we can remove the noodle and hear that sweet sound of the ball falling into the cup, but for now safety first!

 Also, the committee fielded a request by a group to try something different with the way we prepare and present the bunkers for daily play.  The "Aussie" method, as it is commonly called, keeps the sloped portions of the bunkers firm and smooth with only the flatter bottom portion raked as pictured below.  The name comes from the famous Melbourne sand belt as most courses there maintain their bunkers this way.  
Royal Melbourne
The thought here is balls finding the bunker will always settle back into the raked portion and never come to rest under or near the lip.  I think we are roughly three weeks into our experiment and the feedback again has been mostly positive.  We did experiment with this method briefly last spring during our labor crisis to save time, but we did not make an effort to promote the method and most players would rake their footprints all the way back to the edge creating a very unkempt appearance by midday.  With no rakes on the course the bunkers have maintained their appearance throughout the day and as those perimeters continue to get firm one hardly leaves an impression when stepping in and out.
CGC No. 8
The photo above is the one I shared on Twitter last week explaining what we are trying to accomplish with this method of presentation.  Granted, most of our bunkers do not contain a lot of flashing and are referred to as "flat bottomed bunkers" but there is still some curvature and hopefully you can see the idea.  We are working with the team to get everyone on the same page so we can have a consistent presentation from person-to-person, day-to-day as you play and experience the course.

 That's all for now, time to check on the team's progress this morning as we prep following last night's soaking rain.  The golf course took on 1.20 inches rainfall and I'm happy to say no cart restrictions were necessary at the start of the day, but more rain is expected over the next three days!  Crazy weather.  Stay safe everyone!

 See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Monday, April 20, 2020

Twenty Days More!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Monday, April 20th and so much has happened since my last update while simultaneously staying the same.  I can honestly tell you when I posted my last update CLICK HERE my confidence was low golf would remain open for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis in North Carolina.  Twenty days ago all reports indicated a surge in new cases was still on the horizon and the news braced everyone to be prepared for things getting worse before the curve reached an apex.

 There were also early indications that not all golf facilities statewide were fully complying with the social distancing requirements necessary to permit operations.  You may recall an email from The Professional Staff back on the evening of April 3rd sharing a notification from the Carolinas PGA Section highlighting the guidelines required for golf to continue.  This notification was also shared by other allied golf leaders including the North Carolina Golf Course Owners Association and the Carolinas Golf Association in response to learning golf would not be permitted to continue if everyone didn't comply with the guidelines.
The message must have worked for that was over two weeks ago and with each passing day my optimism continues to grow.  The number of cases hasn't surged to numbers originally predicted and we're now hearing reports from other parts of the country about taking steps to slowly loosen restrictions placed on society.  Also, a few states that originally closed golf have decided to reopen golf which gives me more hope we can continue through to the end - whenever that may be.

 But don't get me wrong, although my optimism grows I am cautious to avoid a false sense of security.  The road ahead is still long and I'm not certain when any of us will get to hear that beautiful sound of a putt falling into the bottom of a cup again.  But at least we're walking between 4 and 5 miles, we're breathing fresh air, we're soaking up warm sunshine (don't forget your sunscreen and yes, it's been cool of late), and we're playing golf. 

 The golf course continues to wake up and more closely resembles mid-May than April for this time of year.  The recent cool spell has slowed the Bermudagrass to some degree (we experienced back-to-back morning lows in the 30s earlier this week) resulting in a reduction of required mowing.  While the restrictions on carts continues to allow those high trafficked zones to continue to improve.  

 Despite the fact I'm writing this during a rainy day, April has been our driest month thus far in 2020.  With nearly all the rainfall occurring last Monday (1.90 inches) when severe storms moved through our region.  Thankfully the course did not suffer any significant damage and we were able to cleanup and remove all debris prior to this past weekend.  
I did receive some additional questions this week regarding the putting greens.  It's funny how when standing on the edge the surface appears fully healed, but upon looking straight down at your ball you see aeration holes.  I can attest they putt better than they look, but all jokes aside the overall rate of healing since aeration has left me more frustrated than you.  The last time I recall a similar situation was ten years ago as we prepared to host our very first Wells Fargo Qualifying tournament.

 Billy Mayfair was medalist that year shooting a five under par round 65 (hole 13 played as a par 4) including three consecutive birdies on his final three holes (he finished on hole 9).  He would go on to lead the Wells Fargo Championship through the first three rounds.  I had the opportunity to speak with him briefly following his round at CGC and he talked about the first thought that went through his mind after reaching his ball on the opening hole was not a pleasant one.  But then he was surprised and pleased after stroking the putt.  I guess sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

 Before I go I want to tip my hat to my coworkers, the Professional Staff at Carolina Golf Club.  They have adapted to this new way of service and I'm proud of what they're accomplishing under the leadership of Mr. Cleveland in the face of this unprecedented challenge!  It is amazing to see so many of you embracing these changes and supporting the club these past few weeks.  I don't think I've ever seen so many folks on a Tuesday in my entire tenure as your superintendent.

Also, on behalf of my team we too thank you for your support.  It means a lot to us to have this opportunity to prepare and maintain your golf course each day.  I'll leave you with the same closing paragraph from last time along with some recent photos you may have missed: 

 From the outset of this situation I have felt golf has the potential to be a beacon of hope for members of the community.  A place to escape the insanity and stress by breathing fresh air and exercising the body and mind.  I hope and pray we are able to continue to provide you with this outlet in the safest manner possible.  
Hole 9
Hole 10
Hole 18

 Here's to brighter days ahead... see you on the course,
Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The Past Twenty Days!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Tuesday, March 31st and so much has happened in the twenty days since my last post!  To be honest, I've wanted to post something the past two weeks, but the situation that surrounds us all has been constantly moving and I was reluctant to post something that may be untrue 24 or 48 hours later.

 Ironically, it was the date of my last post (March 11th) when the president addressed the nation and I realized things were about to change.  Since that time I've closely followed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services twitter account @ncdhhs along with the city of Charlotte @CLTgov to get updates and information.

 I've met with my team daily and stressed to them our first priority is to keep ourselves safe and healthy.  If we're staying safe and healthy then we keep our families safe and healthy, and we also help keep each other safe and healthy.  I've also stressed to them over the two plus weeks that it's imperative they do the right things when away from work to ensure that our workplace remains safe and healthy.

Everyone on the staff understands they do not have to be here if they feel unsafe.  And we have taken countless measures to eliminate touch points in the Turf Care Center by propping doors open, cleaning and disinfecting our equipment and workplace daily, and adhering to social distancing.  Again, keeping the team safe is priority number one.

 We've also been doing everything we can possibly think of to help keep you safe and healthy.  The removal of bunker rakes, drinking coolers, and divot sand bottles are again an example of eliminating touch points.  We even inverted the cups to ensure your ball doesn't fall completely below the surface when holing a putt to allow you to retrieve it without touching the cup or flagstick.  Yes, golf looks different from what we remember but at the same time the course does look good with less clutter, just saying.  ;)

 Despite the fact Covid-19 has closed much of the world, one thing it cannot stop is Spring.  The golf course is waking up and according to growing degree days it's more than three weeks ahead of schedule.  With each passing day the work load increases as the turf areas wake from their winter sleep, okay so maybe it wasn't the deepest of hibernations this year, but you know what I mean.  I will admit I've been frustrated with the putting greens as this year we've had some of the best post-aeration weather ever experienced (nearly 2.5 inches rainfall and several 80 degree days).  

But A1/A4 bentgrass has historically always been late to wake up, like trying to get a teenager out of bed.  Truth is the grass responds more to soil temperature than air temperature so even though we've enjoyed some warm days we're not where it wants to be.  But, despite my impatience the greens are still ahead of most other years by comparison.

 It was good to see so many of you this past weekend out enjoying the course.  I received several nice comments of gratitude via text, email or a verbal thank from a safe distance.  I can tell you the team was happy to hear your kind remarks during our morning briefing yesterday.  Everyone in life needs a purpose, and your agronomy team's purpose is caring for your course.

 One thing you may not be aware of is the effort some folks are going to so you may continue to play golf.  As the Immediate Past President of Carolinas GCSA I remain an active member of the Board of Directors until our next annual meeting in November.  As a result, I have been privy to a courtesy copy of emails exchanged between our executive director and the other allied groups in both North and South Carolina.  

 The biggest reason Mecklenburg County and Governor Cooper agreed to include golf as an approved outdoor activity was because of the incredible effort of two state lobbyists and the leaders of the North Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, Carolinas Club Managers Association, Carolinas GCSA, Carolinas PGA Section, Carolinas Golf Association, and South Carolina Golf Association.

 Whether you knew it or not there are a lot of people working hard behind the scenes so you may have the opportunity to play golf.  That's why it's imperative that you do your part too.  Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines and other rules in place.  We're all in this together.
That's all for now.  A few things to consider on the bright side.  When this is over the range tee will be perfect and divot free and the fairways will be in their best shape with the elimination of cart traffic stress.  Yes, fairway divots are becoming an issue since you are no longer able to fill them, but my team will be making a conscious effort to address starting this week so we don't fall behind.  

 From the outset of this situation I have felt golf has the potential to be a beacon of hope for members of the community.  A place to escape the insanity and stress by breathing fresh air and exercising the body and mind.  I hope and pray we are able to continue to provide you with this outlet in the safest manner possible.
See you on the course... from a safe distance,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Aeration Recap!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Wednesday, March 11th and I'm happy to report our spring greens renovation is complete.  Over the past two days my team and I executed an aggressive deep, solid-tine and shallow, hollow-core aeration and topdressing plan.  Coupled with the addition of two soil amendments we've now set our greens on a successful path for the upcoming season.  This was the first core removal performed on the putting greens since March last year, removing nearly 10% of the surface area. Core Aeration  

 If you reviewed the linked article above you noticed 20% surface area impact is the recommended annual goal.  We will reach this with our second aeration (solid-tine only) in early June. This was the second consecutive year we incorporated the deep, solid-tine process in advance of core removal.  Our soil physical properties continue to perform like new in the deeper regions of the root zone, and the creation of channels connecting the upper and lower portions aids in water penetration, which based on recent rainfall patterns are direly needed.  Here's a look at some of the action.
Core Removal on Heels of Solid Deep-Tine
The reason the tweet above states "obligatory" is because we have a rule in the world of Turf Twitter, no slo-mo or it didn't happen.  With the recent time change (Spring forward) the team was forced to work well into the evening and we cleared the final green slightly after dusk.
A Full Day
With all 22 greens (122,607 square feet) aerified and cores removed, Day 2 began by rolling multiple times, followed by the application of soil amendments, applying nearly 50 tons sand topdressing and brushing in.  This was followed with some hand brooming to touch-up, followed by another roll and irrigation to help settle the sand topdressing.
We unfortunately were delayed for approximately two hours just shy of midday when light rain moved across the Queen City.  The rainfall amount wasn't much, but it slammed the breaks on applying kiln dried sand successfully.  Thankfully the weather cooperated much better once the rain cleared as we enjoyed a cool, drying breeze and near perfect conditions to complete the process.
Final Green!
Finished Product!
It's always a relief to wrap up the spring greens renovation.  Hats off to the agronomy team, six of whom weren't with us at this time last year.  In the coming days we will continue to roll the greens to smooth any tire marks, treat with soil wetting agent, and fertilize to aid recovery.  I am also planning a light verticut in two directions early next week to help move the sand deeper into the canopy and hopefully pinch the holes slightly.  

 In other news we finally managed to complete our spring crabgrass pre-emergent herbicide application.  Mother Nature really made it a difficult challenge this year with the saturating rains.  There were days when the course was simply too wet to tolerate the weight and traffic of the sprayer.  If you haven't yet applied crabgrass preventer on your home lawn, the clock is ticking.  You do still have time, but I would get the application complete before next Friday (March 20).  

 With aeration and preemergence in the books, next up for my team is some selective, post-emergent herbicide applications where needed, mulching of all landscaped areas (golf course and clubhouse grounds), and hopefully mowing some grass soon.  Despite the mild winter conditions as measured by temperature, it certainly felt like a long, dreary one with all the rainfall.  Everyone on your agronomy team is ready for spring and green grass!

 On a final note, I'll leave you with this.  Tomorrow is the beginning of The Players Championship.  Recently, Connor T. Lewis, host of the Talking Golf History podcast had former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman on as a guest.  To learn about the history of how The Players Championship came to exist and its early days you can listen by clicking HERE.  Enjoy!
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020

How Do You Like Your Eggs!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Tuesday, February 11th and it's raining again.  Forgive me, I don't mean to lament the weather but this current pattern is enough to drive a person mad.  I mean, let's just examine the events of last week alone and you will see how Charlotte experienced "multiple seasons" in less than seven days.

 Monday, February 3rd was by far one of the nicest days all winter.  It was sunny, warm and the temperature climbed all the way to 73 degrees.  You can definitely say it felt like spring.  By Saturday, February 8th we reached a morning low of 28 degrees, the high temperature only made it to 39 degrees, and for a couple of hours just passed midday large snowflakes fell across the Queen City.  Definitely a winter day.

 And this time of year, it is impossible to transition from one set of conditions to the other without experiencing severe weather.  Thursday, February 6th saw over three inches of rain fall on Carolina Golf Club and the National Weather Service has confirmed seven tornadoes touched down in various parts of the greater metro area!
We were very fortunate to not encounter any major tree or structural damage related to the storms.  Our good friends at Carmel Country Club unfortunately were not and lost many trees (I've heard estimates near 300) on both the North and South Courses combined as they were in the direct path of one of the confirmed tornadoes.  My heart goes out to Brannon Goodrich, Director of Greens and Grounds Agronomy and the entire team at Carmel CC as they clean up and repair the damage.  Many of you long-term members may remember the famed Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1994 and the impacts to Carolina Golf Club as we were in the path.
In other weather related news.  January brought us 5.11 inches rain.  This was the third time in the past four years our rainfall total in January exceed five inches.  We've already received 4.50 inches rainfall this month and it's expected to rain most of today and there's an 80% chance Thursday.  And we all thought madness was reserved for March.  ;) 

 So, how do a group of greenkeepers maintain their sanity during weather like this.  Well, writing is certainly therapeutic which is why I am updating the blog.  Continuing education is another good way to step away from the course and stimulate the brain.  I spent four days in Orlando, Florida the last week of January attending the Golf Industry Show (more on that later).  Today assistants Matthew Miller and Matthew Rollyson are attending an Irrigation Troubleshooting Workshop at Smith Turf and Irrigation.  Next week Matt and Matt will accompany Senior Assistant Eric Sosnowski to the North South Turfgrass Association Education Meeting at Tega Cay.  There they will hear from two N.C. State University professors, Dr. Jim Kerns - Optimizing Fungicide Efficacy for Root Diseases and Dr. Travis Gannon - Preemergent Herbicide Options and Application Timings.  

 One of the great things about greenkeeping is the ever changing nature of the business.  Whether it's environmental changes, regulatory changes, technological changes and more, there is always a need to stay educated and abreast of what is taking place within the industry.  The Golf Industry Show held annually and presented in partnership by the GCSAA, ASGCA, and GCBAA is the single largest education conference and trade show in the world for those in the business of designing, building and maintaining golf courses.  This past GIS was my 19th overall and 18th consecutive, and one of my busiest as I packed a lot into four days.

 On Day One I was honored to co-present the Master Greenkeeper Workshop with Course Manager David Langheim, MG of Wimbledon Park Golf Club before attending two education sessions later that same day.  On Day Two I had the good fortune to join an illustrious panel that included Anthony Williams, CGCS from Four Seasons Los Colinas, Andrew Wilson from Bethpage State Park, Lukas Harvey from Atlanta Athletic Club, Josh Heptig from San Luis Obispo and moderator Bob Scott from Irrigation Consultant Services, Inc.

We discussed Irrigation Renovations with a large audience swapping stories from our collective experience.  Day Three was the trade show which meant there were lots to see and many people to meet before attending our chapter reception that evening.  I started Day Four as a volunteer Turf Bowl grader.  What a fun experience to sit between Lee McLemore, CGCS from the Country Club of Birmingham and Alan Fitzgerald of Ledgerock Golf Club in Pennsylvania and pour over dozens of written essays.  I was thrilled later that evening when my alma mater, Virginia Tech managed a Top 10 finish.  Go Hokies!

Following the Turf Bowl grading session I made my way back to the trade show floor where I was invited by the Toro Company and Andy Johnson, host of The Fried Egg Podcast to appear on the podcast live inside the Toro booth.  We had a small audience and were joined by Edric Funk, Director of the Center for Technology, Research and Innovation for Toro.  
Photo Courtesy of Ian Daniels, GCS Teugega C.C.
The three of us had a fun conversation about some challenges we face in the industry and how some emerging technologies may help bring a solution to those challenges.  If you don't subscribe or listen to podcasts on your mobile device you can listen on Andy's website. CLICK HERE 

 For those of you familiar with Andy's podcast this will be different as we stepped away from the normal discussions about great golf course architecture.  Ironically Andy approached me about being a guest last fall when he and one of his colleagues traveled to North and South Carolina visiting Old Town Club, Roaring Gap, and Palmetto Golf Club to name a few (check out episodes 158 and 159).  Unfortunately I wasn't available as that coincided with my trip to Ireland, so Andy will just have to make the trek to Charlotte some time this year to experience Carolina Golf Club.  Then we can set up the mics in my office and talk Donald Ross, Kris Spence, restoration and all the other good nerdy stuff we're accustomed to.

 Well, that's all for now.  Looks like we've got a small break in the rain so time to get the team in action.  Hopefully this update will find you warm and dry, and hopefully this wet pattern breaks and we can enjoy some golf at Carolina Golf Club soon.

 See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG

  
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Thursday, January 23, 2020

Dynamic Viscosity!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Thursday, January 23rd and our fourth consecutive morning with temperatures below freezing.  Prior to this cold snap's arrival we had endured 29 consecutive days with above average temperatures dating back to before Christmas.  In fact, our Bermudagrass tees and fairways began to show signs of waking from their annual winter's slumber.  Yes, the color you see and enjoy is natural, nothing has been applied.
Brad Panovich, WCNC
We are also in the midst of our driest stretch this winter (since Dec 1) with only 0.14" rainfall in the past eight days.  Unfortunately our area is forecast to receive more than one inch of rain starting sometime late tomorrow.  Also, we have already received 9.46 inches rainfall this winter (since Dec 1) which is well above average.  The record winter rainfall total is 19.46 inches set just last year (Dec '18-Feb '19).

 It has rained 119.03 inches on Carolina Golf Club since Jan 1, 2018!  And that total is approximately equivalent to three years average rainfall, but in just two.  I tell you this only to give you a greater perspective and understanding to the unusually wet conditions of late.  For those curious the most recent wet winter prior to last year was four years ago (Dec '15-Feb '16) when we received 15.48 inches.

 Needless to say, during periods of extreme wet weather we receive comments about drainage.  And the information I'm sharing is not meant as an excuse, the committee and I are always evaluating the golf course, playing conditions and our resources to determine the best ways to improve and enhance your experience.  I'm merely trying to help you better understand the context of why things are softer and slow to dry this year and last.

 The golf course is built on native Piedmont clay soil and is mostly surface drained, that was a strong suit of Donald J. Ross.  We added a modest network of inlets and below ground drains during the restoration, and have added and modified that network over the years.  We've also sand topdressed fairways the past five years in an effort to modify the soil profile and improve water infiltration.  

 In the summer months Bermudagrass is actively growing and takes up plant available water through the roots.  Long days and warm temperatures help promote evaporation.  In the winter months the turf is dormant (hibernating) and the short days and colder temperatures greatly reduce the rate of evaporation.  But there is also another phenomenon that negatively impacts the removal of water from our clay soils - viscosity.  

 Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to flow and everyone understands liquids such as motor oil, molasses and honey are much thicker and have a greater viscosity than water (the higher the viscosity value the more resistance to flow).  But viscosity is not static, and temperature alters the viscosity of liquids, including water where flow is reduced in colder temperatures.
Chart Courtesy of Cale Bigelow, Ph.D.

 Another question I've been fielding lately is why the wet area on No. 8 fairway seems to defy gravity and is on the slope.  For starters it doesn't help the area in question is shaded (see pic below), but that's not all.  In the book Practical Drainage for Golf, Sportsturf and Horticulture by Keith McIntyre and Bent Jakobsen, Chapter Four, The Capillary and Lateral Movement of Water in Soils provides two key factors.  First, the lateral movement of water in soils is extremely slow.  Second, the downward force of gravity on water is reduced once it reaches where the slope begins to flatten.  The slower rate of lateral movement then causes the water to back up and we encounter the phenomenon that seems to defy our logic.
Wet Area Marked by Small Stakes

Hopefully this update gives you a better understanding of how the changing seasons impact our daily conditions, and lately the seasons have been a little extreme.  In the meantime you can help by exhibiting caution and avoid the lower lying and wetter areas with your traffic.  All traffic compacts wet soils and the increase in compaction slows even more the internal movement of water.  We will continue to examine the needs of the course and make improvements when and where possible, and I encourage you to reach out to me and/or members of the Green Committee with your questions and comments.  All feedback is helpful. 

 That's all for now.  Next week I'll be at the annual Golf Industry Show where I'll be co-teaching a seminar on Monday and participating in a panel discussion on Tuesday.  Looking forward to networking and collaborating with my peers, and catching up with Matt Claunch!
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Serve Pro, Links Gems, and DJR!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Tuesday, January 7th and I thought I would share a few interesting finds as we close out the first week of 2020.  Wow, can you really believe it's 2020!  That means we are less than a decade away from CGC's Centennial in 2029!  But I digress.

 I certainly hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season with their families, friends and loved ones!  As much as we enjoy some time away from the course with those nearest and dearest to us, I always look forward to the new year and seeing the team reunited.  Everyone is refreshed and ready to get after whatever is necessary to make Carolina Golf Club the best it can be.

 Yesterday was our first Maintenance Monday of the new year and we wasted no time in prepping the greens for the expected rains today.  A quick vent with needle tines followed with a roll left the surfaces smooth yet ready for more precipitation.  
Before Roll
Smooth Roll
After Roll


































Speaking of precipitation, if anyone was wondering our rainfall total for 2019 was 57.20 inches.  Just 1.40 shy of the 58.60 inches that fell in 2018.  That's nearly three FEET above average for the two-year span!

With that much excess water it was a good thing the team installed an interceptor drain near the walk-on/walk-off area of the Blue and Black teeing areas on Hole 6.  Our aim here is to capture the ground water before it surfaces at the toe of the slope and transport it to an existing subsurface pipe making for improved traction and appearance. 

 The team really came together on this project, most likely working hard to shed a few new pounds gained over the holidays. ;) I was extremely proud of their efforts and attention to detail.

















You can see from the photo in the above tweet how the drain runs parallel to the Blue Tee before wrapping in front.  We attached our new drain to an existing pipe behind the left, greenside bunker on No. 7.  Here's a couple more photos of the project as the team buttoned things up!
Almost Done

Like it Never Even Happened





































In other news, those of you on the social media channels Twitter and/or Instagram may know of Links Gems.  Jon Cavalier is a lawyer by day, or maybe by night as he takes amazing golf course photos by day!  He's based out of Philadelphia and travels the country sharing photos of some of the best golf courses ever designed.  

 Anyway, Jon was recently a guest at Carolina Golf Club and had some nice things to say about our beloved Donald J. Ross design.  Hope you enjoy!
It was nice of Jon to utilize Black and White considering our mostly dormant appearance, made for some rather interesting looks.  My understanding is his Instagram page receives even more traffic, you can find links to both on his website linked above.

 Segueing into a little more about Donald J. Ross, I posted this yesterday evening taken from Keith Cutten's book, The Evolution of Golf Course Design. 

"Seamlessly into the existing terrain" I believe accurately sums what Kris Spence was able to recapture during our restoration a little over a decade ago.  In the business we commonly refer to this as "tie-ins" and I think this is what separates Kris, his team, and the team from Golf Course Services from others, they nail the tie-ins.  

 Anyway, that's all for now.  Welcome to 2020 and a new golf handicap as the World Handicap System goes into effect.  Here's hoping we all manage to shave a stroke or two this year!
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG

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