Just a quick note on some of the results of winter work.....

Root Pruning.....Was it worth the time and effort?

I'd say absolutely.  We have done nothing more to these areas other than the root pruning.  Now that the turf is under summer stress it is very obvious that the tree roots were really negatively affecting our turf.  Dark green and healthy where the roots were pruned, suffering to survive where the roots remain.   No Brainer.


Carts on Path = Better quality Turf

Along with massive root pruning on the left side of the first fairway, the fact that we have reduced cart traffic and damage has improved this fairway dramatically.  We will continue to keep the carts off the fairway throughout the summer in an effort to keep quality up.  Please help by keeping carts off this fairway at all times.

And...How are we doing with Protecting the Environment???  We are very careful to use only the safest products in our battle against turf diseases & weeds.  We use IPM (integrated pest management) whenever possible.  Treating only when necessary.   If we were not as careful as we are our ponds would not be loaded with bullfrogs, which are highly sensitive.  We would not have the large amount of Foxes that we do. We would not have wildlife, to feed our ravenous red tail Hawks.

And we certainly would not have this Monster Snapping Turtle here for an estimated 60+ years according to NYS DEC officals that visited our course last year.


Thanks for checking in........
John

(Oh, by the way our Assistant Superintendent's name is PHIL not Tim.  not sure where the Tim came from....but, he is definately PHIL - Thanks)

Just an example of a bad tee shot?  Notice how far from the  tee the divot is....... and yes, there is another divot on the left.

            Wait a minute....this picture was taken where???

       Say it ain't so.......# 13 GREEN. 
     Divot heading towards the Sound.

         Saturday 6/16 late afternoon.

                             Very Sad.

Responsibilities ???

We are clearly responsible for working as hard as we can to provide these beautiful conditions as in the photos above.   But, what about these photos below......???  who?

The Marlboro Light Person.....Oh, they are EVERYWHERE!!!

The Ball Mark Person?  PLEASE REPAIR YOURS !!!

The Garbage Person...?

The Run Over the Sign (instead of following the message) Person ???

Please Help us to Keep IHCC looking and playing it's best!!!

Sorry for the lack of updates...we've been very busy.

Our latest project has brought a nice bit of color to a bit of an eyesore.  The "Triangle" as we call it, the area between 9 & 16.

The area had failed a few times over the years mainly due to lack of irrigation.   This time we just geared up and got it all done in a matter of hours.  New irrigation and a new landscape, hopefully this will now be an area that we all enjoy when we pass it....instead of cringing.  The tree in the center is a Red Canadian Cherry, surrounded by yellow knockout roses.

 
                                                       MUCH BETTER NOW !!!

Thanks for tuning in....JohnnyP

It's been a while since I have been in the office long enough to update my blog...been on the course working with all this great weather.

Our Greens Drainage program started right on time yesterday.  Golf Preservations from Kentucky is currnetly wrapping up work on #1.  To say their work is meticulous is not giving them enough credit.

The greens are first surveyed to be certain of the flow of water.  Sod is stipped off the green, carefully laid to the side to be replaced exactly where it came from.  The material is then trenched out of the green onto plywood and removed from the site.  New, clean properly draining material or greensmix is then added to the 15" trench after a 2" diameter pipe has been installed in the bottom of the trench.  The material is packed, the sod re-installed and tamped.  Green will be open again once all trenches are completed and the green is clean and ready for play. 

 Another project completed this week was a newly landscaped entrance way to the course from the road between the practice greens.  Looks good from the road, the clubhouse and as you head over to start your round.

We also did a new planting by the clubhouse cart area.  Massed in with Native ornamental grasses as well as the pro shop entrance area with many new plants including the popular "Knockout Roses".

 Another project this week...
"Spaghetti mat" - a slip free walkway is the new surface covering the bridge to the 14th green.  Our mechanic, Pat, lead the way with this one by first jacking up, leveling and then securing the bridge.  The mat was then installed and secured with siderails.  Rain is coming tonight so we will paint the support rails and siderails next week.

Yet another project....

The Leyland Cypress trees were installed near the chipping/practice area.  These trees can grow up to 3 feet per year and will provide an excellent screening of Breeze Hill Road and give the practice area a much more private feel.













The weather has been exceptional and we are about 3 weeks ahead of normal out on the course, everything is coming together very nicely for the early season.  Hope you enjoy some of the changes out there.    Stump grinder just arrrived so next week we will be knocking that off the list as well.

See you on the course soon!   JohnnyP


Had to add this too....of course, very proud.

Nick Paquette receiving MVP award from SWHS Basketball Coach McKillop

My thoughts for the day in a photo tribute to to all Superintendents....thanks to Cinnibar Hills Supt. Boyer for sharing this seemingly realistic collage.

Almost go time......

With the weather forecast looking as it does...we can anticipate opening the golf course next week (March 7th).  Joe Pro and staff will be open on weds, and if all stays as is, the course will be open then as well.

We quad tined and over seeded the greens this week.  Pencil sized solid holes, barely noticeable.  Last falls major aeration has healed up completely already due to this crazy "winter" weather.  

We are just getting our staff back now so the amount of cleanuup and course prep to do is extensive.  Please be aware that there is a lot of work going on for the next 6 - 8 weeks in preparation for the season.  Having said that, you will still be able to come out and play to all 18 greens and enjoy some VERY early season play. 

It is extremely critical to the health and playability of the greens that players are diligent about ball mark repair.  Last year our greens were devastated by unrepaired ball marks.
Right now there is not a single ball mark on any of our greens, please do your best to keep them in this condition.  Grass is not growing now, so if the greens get clobbered with ball marks they can not heal.

If you do come out and play Please abide by the 3 basic rules of golf etiquette, this will ensure the others playing get to enjoy the course too -  And, the course conditions will not deteriorate.

PLEASE................

1) REPAIR ALL BALL MARKS ON GREENS

2) REPLACE DIVOTS (no sand available ) put divots back in place

3) RAKE BUNKERS


Thanks for checking in.....see you out there soon!!!
-JohnnyP



There is a limited supply of nearly dry split firewood available at the maintenance area.  If interested please call ahead (757-0555) to let us know you are coming.  I was able to burn some of this over the weekend with only minor "sizzling".