Friday, July 17, 2015

Course Update, Junior Campers, Staff Update, and The Open!

Hello and welcome to "The Greenkeeper"!  Today is Friday, July 17th and second round of the 144th playing of The Open Championship at St. Andrews is back underway after a lengthy weather delay this morning.  But before we talk about The Open I want to bring everyone up to speed on recent course projects, our irrigation water supply, a fun experience I recently had, and introduce you to our new Equipment Manager.

 Over the past two weeks my team and I have topdressed all fairways and approaches with 10 tons per acre of sand.  This is just the first of many applications over the coming years.  It is our intention to only make these applications during the active growing season for bermudagrass (June-August) with the goal to apply a minimum of 30 tons per acre annually.  
Over time the sand will accumulate making a well drained layer sustaining our fairways and other closely mowed areas.  Another benefit with regular topdressing is the smoothing of the surface as minor dips and other imperfections are slowly smoothed out with sand topdressing making for a tighter, firmer playing surface.

 During the same time span we core aerated all tees and collars.  We removed the cores, fertilized, and topdressed with sand.  The removal of cores is to alleviate the compaction from these high traffic areas in an effort to promote new growth and deeper rooting.  These cultural practices are key components to building stronger, healthier turf in advance of next winter.

It doesn't take a meteorologist to figure out we haven't received much rainfall in recent months.  One needs only to look at your neighbor's lawn, I know mine looks like toast!  Since the end of April we have received less than 3 inches rain here at Carolina.  Considering the warm temperatures we have been experiencing this summer, it is no surprise to see the lower irrigation pond level.  
Cove Right of Number 2
The cove running along the right side of number 2 fairway is actually shallow (about 5 to 6 feet).  The bulk of our water supply lies in the main body where depths range from 12 to 20 feet deep.  As of today we have used approximately 14 million gallons water irrigating the golf course year-to-date.  To put things in perspective we only used 18 million gallons total in 2014!  
Current Water Level at Spillway
If you were not present during the construction and grow-in during 2007 and 2008 it would be easy to be alarmed by the current water level.  My team and I have been and continue to be very conscious water users as we have been implementing conservation methods all season (hand watering, reduced run times, wetting agents, etc.).  The reality is there is more water remaining in the lake than used to this point and although it may be less attractive, the purpose of constructing this lake was to supply water to the golf course when needed.  The good news is my sources indicate a significant change to our current weather pattern could be in store by the first of next month trimming temperatures and increasing our chances of some beneficial rainfall.
  
Last week the Golf Professional Staff conducted the second of this summer's three Junior All Sports Camps.  I want to thank the Golf Professional Staff, and especially Steve Stahl for inviting me to address last week's participants.  
It was truly a thrill for me to have the opportunity to speak to the campers and provide a little "show-and-tell" with some of the tools of greenkeeping.  Hope to do it again someday!

 You may recall I announced on June 1st Bob Hall, formerly of Skybrook Golf Club had accepted the offer to become Equipment Manager of Carolina Golf Club.  Bob originally hails from Andes, New York (in the Upstate) and is a 1995 graduate of SUNY, Delhi with a degree in Turf Management.  Prior to moving south Bob worked at both SUNY Delhi Golf Course and Ouleout Creek Golf Course.  He and his wife Maria relocated to the Greater Charlotte area in May 2001 when he started with Skybrook Golf Club.  
Placing Fairway Unit on the Lift
Checking Height of Cut and Sharpness
They reside in Kannapolis and have a 5-year old daughter named Abby.  When not ensuring our fleet is in top condition Bob enjoys Abby's baseball games and is a devoted family man!   

 In the beginning I mentioned a significant weather delay at this year's Open Championship.  In case you were not yet awake here is a highlight.
As an avid golf historian I am pulling for Jordan Spieth to do something that has only been done once before (Ben Hogan, 1953) but there are many great players in the mix and regardless of who wins I am certain the conclusion to this most cherished championship will be thrilling.  I sincerely hope each of you enjoys The Open!


See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS
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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

One Down and Two to Go!

Hello and welcome to "The Greenkeeper"!  Today is Wednesday, July 1st and the first month of meteorological summer is now in the rear-view mirror, and what a month it was!  June 2015 goes into the Charlotte record books as the 10th hottest June ever.  Several new record high temperatures were established along with a streak of consecutive days 95 F or above (13 days). 

Courtesy of Brad Panovich (@wxbrad)
We even managed to reach the century mark (100 F) five times in the month of June, and that typically only occurs four times in an average Charlotte summer (June-August).

 So why am I bombarding you with these weather statistics?  You see, five years ago we endured something very similar.  In fact June 2010 still ranks as the 8th hottest June ever in Charlotte, and it was definitely the most difficult and trying period of my professional career.  As this year's heat wave approached a few members that remember 2010 all too well voiced some concern, but the lessons learned from that experience led to adjustments of our agronomic programs and we picked up some new tools along the way.

 When the heat wave of June 2010 arrived there were three fans on the golf course (1, 12, and 16).  We quickly realized the need for better air circulation along the perimeter of the golf course property and acquired five additional fans later that summer (located on holes 7, 8, 11, 13, and 14).  In 2012 we began using soil moisture meters (CLICK HERE) to help us better manage water applications to the putting surfaces.  I now have three of these devices and they are used daily.  In 2013 I changed wetting agent chemistry and since we have enjoyed drier, firmer surfaces.  In other words, there are numerous differences between now and then, each of which playing an important role in allowing me and my staff to produce more desirable conditions today.

 Here's a look back at the ugly that was 2010 compared to where we currently stand with two more months of summer to go:
8 Green July 2010
8 Green July 2015




8 Green July 2010














8 Green July 2015














7 Green July 2010














7 Green July 2015














7 Green July 2010













7 Green July 2015















Professional turfgrass management can be a very humbling profession.  Despite numerous advances in science and technology Mother Nature always wins.  I am very proud of the work we accomplished over the past month, but I am also smart enough to realize we caught some breaks along the way.  Being dry was the best thing that could have happened to us during this year's heat wave.  Many of you always comment to me during wet summers, "You must be loving all this rain!"  The answer is no, no I don't.  If it is going to be 100 degrees then I want to be in control of moisture, because nothing kills bentgrass roots faster than saturated soils on a hot day.  Summer is by no means over and we still have longer to go than what we have endured, but I am very pleased with where we are and I sincerely hope you are too!

 See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS
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Thursday, June 18, 2015

The U.S. Open and a Letter to the GM!

Hello and welcome to "The Greenkeeper"!  Today is Thursday, June 18th and the 115th United States Open finally starts today!  I am excited and looking forward to watching the best players in the world undergo the sternest examination in championship golf.  Chambers Bay Director of Agronomy Eric Johnson, Golf Course Superintendent Josh Lewis and their team of 177 staff and volunteers from all over the world have given the USGA the firmest golf course since the Open Championship was contested at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) in 2006!  After browsing some of the information being shared via social media the past few evenings, the next four days of this championship are shaping up to possibly be a thrill ride! (see what I did there).


But enough about Chambers Bay and the U.S. Open, the reason I am writing today is to share with you a message I sent earlier this morning to our General Manager and Greens Committee Chairman.  The past few days have seen Mother Nature really crank up the heat and I know some of you are probably wondering what impact the temperature coupled with the lack of rainfall may have on the golf course.  I assure you we are doing everything we possibly can to preserve and protect your golf course here at Carolina Golf Club.

Memo
To:          Roger Wolfe, CCM
From:     Matthew Wharton, CGCS
Cc:         Stephen Woodard, Greens Chairman
Date:      June 18, 2015
Re:         Course Condition Update

I want to take this opportunity to update you on current course conditions and the measures my staff and I are taking as we continue to manage the golf course under difficult and challenging weather extremes.

Although we were not completely unscathed by winterkill, compared to our neighbors in other parts of North Carolina we were very fortunate.  As of this time we have replaced exactly 25,000 square feet of bermudagrass turf with new sod (15,000 in and around the putting surfaces in early April and 10,000 two weeks ago in the fairway and rough of holes one, nine, ten, and seventeen).  We still need to replace approximately 5,000 square feet more in the rough of holes four and fourteen, along with a few bunker slopes affected by Spring Dead Spot and some random cart path edges.  We will do this work next week.

The month of April brought near record rainfall as we accumulated almost six inches (5.89”) in twelve measurable events.  You recall the near daily golf car restrictions and the difficulty we endured just trying to mow the golf course as the bermudagrass emerged from hibernation.  May dawned with a drastic change in our weather pattern bringing much needed warmer temperatures but little rainfall.  The golf course only received 0.11 inch rain the entire month of May and only 1.03 inches has fallen in June thus far.  This lack of sufficient natural rainfall is slowly beginning to take a toll on the golf course.  Traffic from golf cars is something my staff and I have to monitor much more frequently.  I would like to remind everyone the club’s posted policy regarding golf car use states golf cars are to be operated only in the fairway.  Please avoid the rough during play of the hole after entering the fairway. 

We have been irrigating nightly to keep up with plant needs, but irrigation alone is only supplemental and isn’t capable of replacing natural rain.  Wetting agent is something we use regularly throughout the year with putting green management, but recently we applied a wetting agent to all tee complexes.  We have used approximately 8.5 million gallons of water on the golf course over the past 50 days (< 200,000 per day) to maintain plant health, and the course is playing firm and fast with limited turf stress for now.

The past several days saw a return of the dreaded dome, a high pressure system sitting over the southeast pumping extreme heat and humidity into our region.  Yesterday was the third consecutive day the high temperature in Charlotte reached 99 degrees (the first two of which set new records) and we may finally reach the century mark today.  In order to preserve and protect our bentgrass putting greens fans are in place, we are closely monitoring soil moisture levels multiple times daily, hand watering when and where necessary, monitoring canopy temperatures and syringing when and where needed, and closely monitoring soil temperatures.  Also, I raised the height of cut and we are spraying preventatively for increased disease pressure.  

It is my understanding this current unseasonable heat wave is expected to remain in place for another couple weeks before we may see significant relief.  Thus far the mood in my department is upbeat.  We are pleased that despite all we have endured in 2015 we currently have a golf course that presents itself very well to our members and their guests.  It is not my intention today to be alarming, but merely remain out front with regards to member communications in case we are forced at a later date to make difficult decisions with regards to golf car use, course accessibility, or water supplies.

Thanks,


Matthew Wharton, CGCS 


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Monday, June 1, 2015

The Month of May and a Tearful Goodbye!

Hello and welcome to "The Greenkeeper"!  Today is Monday, June 1st and an extremely busy day on your golf course.  It's been just over a month since my last post and believe me I never would have guessed after the deluge that was April (7th wettest April in Charlotte history) May would be so dry (3rd driest May in Charlotte history).  Important to note these weather records for the city of Charlotte go back 136 years!  Here at Carolina Golf Club we received 5.89 inches of rain in April (12 recorded events) and only 0.11" in May (2 recorded events).  In fact, May ended up being the single driest month in my tenure (previous was October 2013 with 0.50").  But enough about the weather let's talk about the golf course.

When last we got together bermudagrass was struggling from the prolonged winter and many areas of the course were unacceptable (CLICK HERE FOR LAST POST).  I met with the Greens Committee the first week of May and explained to them the two main issues at play.  One, prior to May the weather (sorry) had not been conducive for bermudagrass growth and development.  The colder than average temperatures were limiting the turf and making it impossible to accurately predict what areas may or may not fully recover.  Two, we had a very busy month of golf activity scheduled with Member-Guest, Member-Member, and several lucrative outings. Based on these factors I believed our best course of action was to be patient and allow warmer temperatures an opportunity to give the bermudagrass a fighting chance.  Also, from a playability perspective the winter injured turf areas were more playable than new sod roped off and kept wet.  Thus the decision to wait until the completion of the May tourney schedule was agreed to.  

 Good news is the Month of May was above average temperature wise.  The warm conditions made a huge improvement in encouraging bermudagrass regrowth in slow to recover areas.  Unfortunately the lack of rain has meant we've had to rely solely on our irrigation source as bermudagrass needs water in addition to warmer temperatures in order to grow and spread laterally.  As you can see from the photos below each of the most severely affected areas have demonstrated great recovery (some more than others).  We can now accurately predict what does and does not need replacing.
Rt Side #1 Fairway (5/24)
Rt Side #1 Fairway (Opposite View 5/24)



Rt Side #10 Fairway (5/11)
Rt Side #10 Fairway (Opposite View 5/11)




















Left Side #18 Fairway (6/1)
Left Side #18 Fairway (Opposite View 6/1)




















With tournament golf now in our rear view mirror we can begin to encourage these areas over the next several weeks even more with a little aeration, topdressing, and fertility.  Areas like those depicted above on holes 10 and 18 will continue to improve with little turf replacement necessary.  As for number one, the task of replacing dead bermudagrass turf from winter kill commenced today.  Earlier we began to strip and remove dead turf from the right side of number one fairway.  Sod has been ordered and we are expecting delivery later this afternoon.
And finally some sad news as we said goodbye last week to Equipment Manager JR Bailey.  JR had been a very loyal member of my team since 2008 and he was one of the most talented turf equipment technicians I have ever encountered. 

JR Inspecting Mowing Quality 2014 NC Amateur

Arghhh!
JR decided to pursue other interests in the field of manufacturing, but he left an indelible mark on this course and my department, he will be missed.  We wish JR the absolute best in his future endeavors. My search for his replacement received some good news just a short while ago when Bob Hall of Skybrook Golf Club accepted my offer to become Carolina Golf Club's next Equipment Manager.  I hope to have more information to share about Bob Hall in a future edition of The Greenkeeper.

 See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

For The Hundredth Time!

Hello and welcome to "The Greenkeeper"!  Today is Wednesday, April 29th and according to blogger.com this is my 100th post!  When I began putting all the information together for this update a few days ago, I didn't realize it would be such a momentous occasion.  That is not to say there is any added pressure, but nobody really wants to reach the century mark blogging about frost delays or ball marks.  No, for an occasion worthy of the Roman Numeral C we need a topic that is a real "hot button issue".  We need dead turf!

Rt Side #1 Fairway
Rt Side #1 Fairway (Opposite View)


















Rt Side #10 Fairway
Rt Side #10 Fairway (Opposite View)



















Left Side #18 Fairway
Left Side #18 Fairway (Opposite View)



















There, that should do it.  These areas and a few others are quite indicative of bermudagrass on the heels of a cold winter.  You may recall I posted earlier this year about how the 2014-2015 winter was actually colder than 2013-2014, and how February 2015 was the coldest since 1978.  If not I've linked it HERE for your convenience, but suffice to say courses throughout our region are dealing with this natural phenomenon.  Recently I talked with my counterpart at Hendersonville Country Club, Craig DeJong.  We discussed fairways, winterkill, ring of death, and ferrous sulfate applications to name a few.  I saw Craig's blog post from Sunday and thought he did an excellent job defining the numerous possible causes of winterkill along with the need to give Mother Nature a little more time to definitively determine what will and will not make it.  With Craig's permission I am sharing his blog HERE for those interested.

I know ultimately what is really on everyone's mind isn't so much why, but rather you want to know what is the plan going forward.  There are tournaments coming up on the calendar and you want to know what to expect.  I can tell you we have been doing what we can where we can, and I am still waiting patiently where I need to.  You see not all affected areas are caused by the same reasons as some are shade issues, traffic issues, and wet issues.  The wet areas became engrossed with algae following the eight consecutive days of rain earlier this month.  We ended up spraying those areas to kill the algae and then verticutting them to break up and remove the algae.
Now the turf in these areas can breathe and with a little warmer weather they should fill-in to everyone's satisfaction.

 The areas impacted by high traffic and shade I am still waiting for Mother Nature to turn on the heat.  We need to see what happens in these areas once we finally experience consistent weather conducive for bermudagrass growth because there are signs of life.
Signs of Life?
New Leaves Emerging
Call me optimistic but with new leaves emerging we will be better served in the long run if we give what can make it time to make it.  Yes we will need to replace portions of these areas with new turf in the form of sod, but we will replace a lot less a month from now than if we start today.  The good news is we allocated funds in the maintenance budget for winter related turf loss and adequate funds are still available even after the sod work performed earlier this month on the collars.

 Speaking of the collars the new turf has taken root and today we topdressed these areas with the same sand we use for patching divots on the range tee (yesterday they were fertilized with an organic fertilizer).  This topdressing will help blend the seams and permit us to mow the turf in the smooth manner required for turf adjacent to putting surfaces.    
Going forward I plan to speak with the Greens Committee during our regularly scheduled meeting next week about the possibility of taking steps to alleviate some of the shade causing culprits.  Tree removal can be a difficult subject on golf courses, but with two consecutive harsh winters and shade negatively impacting fairway turf survival, maybe it's time we more closely examine the situation.  Otherwise it is safe to say we will probably revisit this topic again next year in some capacity.  By the way, did I mention the greens are perfect right now.  At least we've got that going for us.

See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS
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