Mid Season Update

The golf course is entering into the toughest part of the year and I thought it beneficial to provide an update on where we are and where we are going in the next few months.

Reflecting back a year ago, the changes that have been made at golf course maintenance are remarkable. New turf, new irrigation control system, a lot of new equipment and a complete change in management level staff.  These changes have resulted in a much more efficient operation that has stood up well to the challenges of maintaining the course.

The 16th hole July 11th showing good color

One of the biggest challenges we have is keeping the Poa annua from becoming the dominant turf species. The strategy in place was to utilize all known means available at this time to combat the Poa. Every golf course is different and what works at one area course may not work at La Rinconada because of a difference in soils, water, and climate. One of the common chemicals in use by all the area courses has turned our roughs off color. Essentially, we have applied this growth regulation chemical to the level that the grass has stopped growing and with heavy traffic, and a dry firm golf course many areas are thin and off color.  The fairways have not been affected because of the sand profile.

The 9th hole July 23rd 

To get these areas growing again we will be applying more water and fertilizers in the next few weeks. Just today we applied a spray mixture of enzymes and hormones that will signal the plant to come out of its regulated state.  Additional fertilizer and nutrient applications are planned to continue to push growth, and the amount of growth regulators will be reduced.

The 4th hole July 23rd

Now that we have found the threshold level for this specific growth regulator for our course, we will apply below this amount in the future.  The color and density will return to the roughs in the next 2 weeks, and the course will be maintained as firm as possible without compromising the recovery.


Kevin