We are doing a few projects on the golf course.
Bunker renovations is the big one.
We are stripping the old sand out and digging straight down until we hit gravel (pit run). Once we hit gravel, we know that the water will flow freely to the water table. After the drain is dug, we fill it with stone so the water can easily drain. After that, we compact the clay in the bunker to insure there will be no erosion. Finally, we add sand to USGA standard depths. Doing renovations this time of year allows the sand to settle over winter and if we need to apply more in the spring we can do so.

We are also going to spray the rough this coming year for weed control. It is something that we normally do not do but many requests have prompted us to do so. I will update after the new year with the procedure for that.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for playing golf at Miami Shores Golf Course!

Wrapping up the year; Part 1

It has been a quick growing year and it's time to wrap it up.

The posts have been lacking due to my mind being elsewhere on the course. I enjoy updating everyone on the courses events however, I was focused on large changes on the course.

The summer came and went in no time. Some could say there was no summer.
Abundant rain, cool temperatures, and good growing weather, made the course look great. The weeds were not a factor in the playing areas but the rough was a nightmare. Dandelions, clover, and crabgrass were numerous in these areas.
We normally do not treat these areas as they are large and cost significant amounts of money to maintain however, this coming year we will be applying a pre-emergent for over 95 broad leaf weeds including dandelions. Please keep in mind, as large as our infestation is, it will take a few years to get the weeds below our acceptable threshold. Weed seeds are very persistent and can stay dormant for years to centuries. It has been found in Egypt that wheat seeds over 2000 years old still germinated when planted in good soil.

Crabgrass will more than likely be an issue in the rough again. If we have left over pre-emergent, we will apply it to the heavy playing areas in the rough. It costs roughly, $55-65 per acre and to spray 70-75 acres is a large expense with minimal response. Sure, we will get some control but without a proper fertility program and abundant mowing schedules, it will be a waste of money and man power to try to control this weed. Also, with thinning turf, no irrigation, and no plans to slit seed; crabgrass is at least green in the summer. It is certainly not the mentality we wish to have but the alternative is simply not an option at this moment.

Disease was not an issue this year as weather decided to stay calm with little to moderate temperature swings. I did a fraction of the spraying than in normal years. A tee and fairway spray program will be implemented in 2015 due to chemical savings and left over from this year.

I will update again before Christmas with a few announcements about some projects we are doing.