A Gift That Will Definitely Pay For Itself...

John Slade, Laurel Creek Country Club, Mt. Laurel, NJ:

"As we head towards the holidays, you're probably thinking more about snow than about watering your lawn. However, if you want to get a jump on things for next year, you really should check out this gadget from Toro. This device is called the Xtra Smart Precision Soil Moisture Sensor, and it has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of water you use to irrigate your lawn.

While all home irrigation systems should have a rain shut-off device of some kind attached, most of these are triggered by conditions in the air, not the ground. Because of this, one warm day after a rain storm might be all it takes for a rain sensor that relies primarily on evaporation to turn the irrigation system back on. However, the new Toro sensor is measuring the moisture level in the ground, and turning the system on or off based on this.

Water is saved, money is saved, and your lawn is healthier...it doesn't get much better than that!

Think about it: traditionally, rain sensors are placed up high where your irrigation water won't trigger them. So, once the rain sensor allows the system to start running again, it will keep going on your programmed days until the next rain event. In contrast, with the Xtra Smart Sensor placed in an irrigated area of your lawn, it will prevent the system from running until the soil moisture conditions indicate you need irrigation. Only when the sensor indicates water is needed, will the irrigation controller then be allowed to water.

One important note: It is critical that the sensor be installed in an area of the lawn that is representative of the entire system. An example of what not to do would be to locate the sensor in a shady area that always stays wet. Doing this would prevent other areas of the system from ever running.

The new Toro moisture meter is similar to the ones we have on the golf course, which provide us with valuable real-time information about what is going on in the greens, tees, and fairways. The bottom line is that, when installed and calibrated correctly, this type of device is less likely than a traditional moisture sensor to have the system run when it doesn't need to. Water is saved, money is saved, and your lawn is healthier...it doesn't get much better than that!

So, if you're looking for a great gift for the holidays, this might be something to consider. Like most things, it's available at Amazon.com, or for more information simply click here.?"

Visit John's blog at laurelcreeksuper.blogspot.com

Wrapping up the Greens for the year!

Donald Cross, CGCS, Skokie Country Club, Glencoe, IL:

"With Christmas and the traditional annual wrapping that occurs during this time of year just around the corner, we're beginning a different kind of wrapping on the course, that is Greens Covering. Yes, the time has come to 'put the greens to bed for a long winter's nap'! This practice, that we've done for 23 years now, is happening a few days ahead of normal, but with the forecast indicating cold settling in next week, now is now the right time.

Covering has provided several important benefits over the years including:

• Protection against a potentially open (little snow cover), windy winter period that could severely desiccate and injure the greens.

Yes, the time has come to 'put the greens to bed for a long winter's nap'! This practice, that we've done for 23 years now, is happening a few days ahead of normal...

• Protection against damage from geese, wildlife, snowshoe walkers, and cross country skiers when traffic on frosted and frozen greens could otherwise lead to damage.
• Ability to aerate (with larger, deeper aeration equipment) much later into the fall / early winter period without concern of leaving large open holes exposed to potential desiccation. Covers minimize this concern.
• Enhancement of early spring shoot growth and greening and the ability to get greens in top form ahead of normal.
• Enhancement of spring root growth and development as, in the spring, the covers will raise the soil temperature of the greens, thawing them earlier (if they do freeze), and bringing optimum temperature for root growth (50-65 deg) earlier.

The covers we use (permeable) certainly do not solve all potential winter issues. They are porous and so will allow water (from rain or snow melt) to infiltrate and this can of course freeze. So they do not prevent ice damage issues should environmental conditions become favorable for ice accumulation. They do not prevent winter snow mold diseases such as Microdochium Patch or Typhula Blight (Pink and Gray Snow Mold) and other potential winter diseases.

Floating a cover into place on #16 green. It takes about a day and a half for 6 crew to install on all greens and several tees. Staples placed every 5-6 feet around cover perimeter.

...we may pull them off for brief periods, then put them back on if temperatures so dictate and this 'Cover Shuffle' may happen a few times in early spring.

They also require a good bit of manpower to install in early winter and then again in spring when we may have years where we have to perform what I call 'The Cover Shuffle'. This is when the warm days in spring may come sporadically and briefly and are then followed by sharp temperatures drops. We have to manage the temperatures so as to not let too much early spring growth to occur too soon, and also not uncover them too early and cause a fallback in the progress (enhanced growth, greening) made to that point. Therefore we may pull them off for brief periods, then put them back on if temperatures so dictate and this 'Cover Shuffle' may happen a few times in early spring. Last year was ideal. We pulled them off for the first time on March 13th and we didn't have to recover at all. This was certainly an exception to normal!

Overall though, the benefits have outweighed the negative aspects and for our mixed stand of bentgrass and perennial poa annua, the covers have performed rather well. They are indeed not for every course as each has it's own unique needs. Courses with the newer improved varieties of bentgrasses would likely not want to use covers. Courses that aerate much earlier than we do (allowing time for the green surfaces to heal) would perhaps not have the need to protect the surfaces. Remote courses would perhaps not have wildlife and/or skiers to protect against. Again, every course has it's own unique needs.

All wrapped up!

And so today the greens close. They have recently been deep tine aerated, sand topdressed, treated with snow mold disease prevention products, fed with a late season nutrient blend, and are now covered. It's bedtime! For those diehard players that may want to play on nice days during the next few months, temporary cups are in place in the approach areas. Hoping for a nice winter's nap for the greens!

Now that most of our project work is completed (or at least for this year) I soon hope to put together a blog recapping our last several week's activity including; bridge renovation, range tee expansion and re-sodding, chipping area expansion, and more. I've tweeted about all of these projects but for those whom would rather read the blog instead of follow twitter, I'll recap soon. "

Visit Don's blog at skokieturf.blogspot.com.

Bunker Project Update

Chris McKernan, RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve, Phoenixville, PA:

"We received a little more snow than I was expecting, but that didn't hinder our progress on #5 bunker.

Late Tuesday afternoon as the snow was winding down the crew went out and shoveled the sod-cut area around the green and bunkers in preparation for a sod delivery Wednesday.

Until this snow storm arrived, we've actually been quite dry through November. This usually doesn't matter during late fall, but with temps in the 60's arriving early next week and our scheduled irrigation blow-out coming up, we needed to get the sod laid while still having access to water on the course."

Visit Chris's blog at rivercrestgolfclub.blogspot.com.

Geese...

Steve Cook, CGCS, Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, MI:

"Canada Geese are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the guidelines set forth by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 making it unlawful to kill, sell, hunt, disturb nests and eggs, or purchase and possess migratory birds unless permitted by the Secretary of the Interior.

One of the ways to reduce the number of visits from these 'rats on wings' is to destroy the nests so they don't return the following year. This requires a permit from the DNR. We have participated in this program the last three years.

One of the ways to reduce the number of visits from these 'rats on wings' is to destroy the nests so they don't return the following year...

Geese prefer open areas like golf courses because they get nervous about predators when they can't see at least 10 meters around themselves. Most golf courses are mowed low enough that the geese can see long distances and that is why so many courses struggle with these pests.

During the winter, we routinely harass the geese to keep the courses clear of these pests."

Visit Steve's blog at ohccturf.blogspot.com.

Removing underbrush for playability...

Patrick Daly, CGCS, Framingham (MA) Country Club:

"We have been working at removing some underbrush around the course. There are many reasons why this is an ongoing maintenance practice. The brush moves into the playing corridor, decreasing the area that players need to recover from misplayed shots. It also restricts air flow and when composed of vines, can kill desirable trees. The following photos shows some of the work that was completed on 18 and is ongoing on the 14th hole.

New green expansion on 14. Notice shade and limited area for recovery from errant shots.	Same hole looking from the front of the green.
Removing brush and vines to the property line. Area will be grassed to allow for recovery shots.	The rough is thinning here. Increased sunlight and dispersed traffic will improve the turf.
Brush already removed to the left of 18 tees.

Ryan plugging and spike seeding thin areas on greens.

We are also doing some additional late season overseeding on the greens. Although the grass will not germinate and grow with the colder temperatures we are experiencing now this seed will germinate under the covers in the early spring and will fill any voids once we remove covers and open the greens next year.

We are closing the greens for the year starting on Monday December 10. It has been a long season with the greens opened this year on March 16. The light snow on Saturday hung around longer than expected and with the ground is beginning to get colder we may get locked in for the season if we get hit with a decent snow storm. I am also finding that the grass is not actively growing right now and damage from foot traffic and ball marks is not recovering.

Although we may get a few more nice days in December those are not the norm and the smart play is to close down now...

Although we may get a few more nice days in December those are not the norm and the smart play is to close down now so that we properly put the greens to bed for the season. Our plan is to spray the greens and approaches starting Thursday once the frost clears and continue into Friday and have members play temporary greens until the material dries on the putting surfaces. This fungicide application is the most important one of the year and we want to reduce tracking from member foot traffic so that it can last until the greens are uncovered next spring. We will begin topdressing greens and covering greens and tees on Monday with the goal of completing by Tuesday. "

Visit Pat's blog at fccgrounds.blogspot.com.

Maintenance Facility Improvements...

Scott Rettman, Walnut Creek Country Club, Mt. Laurel, NJ:

"Over the last two weeks the grounds staff completed some excellent maintenance facility upgrades that will improve organization and cleanliness while also setting a strong precedent for future on course maintenance activities. The work was all done in-house with our current staff for little cost. These positive changes will also aid in recruiting strong student interns in years to come by having a nice working environment.

Lunch/Meeting Room Before

Lunch/Meeting Room Now.

The meeting room floor and shop floor were diamond-ground and thoroughly cleaned followed by the installation of a commercial grade epoxy floor. The walls were repaired where damaged and new drywall was hung. Painting both rooms helped put the finishing touch on the project!"

Maintenance Shop Before.

Maintenance Shop Now.

Visit Scott's blog at wcccturf.blogspot.com.

Year end activities...

Jason Hooper, Quilchena Golf Club, Quilchena, BC:

"Recent drier weather has allowed us to clean up and mulch many of the fallen leaves that litter the course this time of year. This is not an easy task in wet conditions, but they need to be cleaned up and we really can't expect dry weather this time of year. Our Turf Care Team has been reduced down to four crew members on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and only two on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. This does not include our mechanic and horticulturist.

Speaking of our horticulturist, Jacqui has created a new blog that will provide detailed information on what she's up to and what she has planned for the landscaping around the Club. On occasion, she will also be including some gardening tips to help you maintain your home gardens. She is a great writer and I'm sure you'll find her blog to be a very enjoyable read!"

Visit Jason's blog at qgolfclub.blogspot.ca and Jacqui's blog at quilchenaflorafauna.blogspot.ca.

The Lucy...

Joel Kachmarek, Tacoma Country and Golf Club, Lakewood, WA:

"It is impossible to prepare for that inevitable day when you must say goodbye to that very special companion. Yesterday was that day for me and my family. Lucy was not only a golf course dog for 12 years, she was an integral part of my family at home. I met her 14 years ago at the local humane society. She was so little then. You could tell that she hated being there in that cold, concrete enclosure. She was curled up in the corner and all I could see was that she had a very unusual coat.

I saw that she saw me, and honestly she was the only cute dog in the whole place, but I could see that she wasn't adopted because of the sign that hung above the door to her pen. It read... 'Australian Cattle Dog Mix - Possible Parvo'. I asked one of the staff about the sign and said 'I like that puppy, but what is Parvo?' The lady explained that Parvo is a disease that is a dog death sentence, and that they have reason to believe the puppy had come in contact with another dog that died from it.

Lucy had such a sweetness about her that she very quickly became loved and it was just an expectation that if I was around, so was Lucy...

I asked, 'how do you know if she has it or not?' She said, 'If the dog is still alive in three days, then she doesn't have it and I'll call you to see if you still want her.' Well... three days later she did call me and I went to pick up the little, freckled puppy.

I never had any intention of having her come to work with me, but eventually I started to bring her. The membership at Tacoma C&GC was not sure about this as Lucy was the first working dog they had had. Lucy had such a sweetness about her that she very quickly became loved and it was just an expectation that if I was around, so was Lucy.

Our project inspector on the job.

She was very attached to me. This was nice because I never had to worry about where she was. She rarely got very far from me and so I really never thought about her or worried about her. If she couldn't see me, her anxiety got the best of her and she would start to panic and frantically look for me. This made it difficult to go to meetings or events where having a dog was inappropriate. No matter, the membership embraced her presence and so she attended many meetings where she would just lay under my feet and not draw any attention. She was definitely a rare breed. Well I could go on... and on... so I will. Lucy earned this tribute."

Read the rest of Joel's tribute to Lucy (with many more photos) at http://www.tacomaturf.com.