Summer is winding down, kids are back in school, and football has started. That usually means a decline in golf. With these events kicking back in, the golf course usually has wide open tee times in the afternoon making for a great round with great weather!
Next week we will be aerating the tees. This shouldn't alter play and should be healed fairly quickly.
We have the County Tournament coming up on September 12th and 13th with Miami Shores kicking the tournament off on Saturday the 12th and finishing up at Homestead Golf Course in Tipp City on the 13th. Good luck to all who are competing.
On September 14th in the afternoon, starts our greens aeration. The back nine will be open all day and then on the 15th, we will be doing the back 9 starting in the morning with the front open all day. Aeration is a necessary operation to keep greens from being compacted and allows air exchange to the roots which is critical as well.
As always if you have questions or concerns feel free to stop by the office down at the maintenance barn and talk with me or the turf staff.
Ryan
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Half way through!
We are almost at the halfway mark for the year and we have been busy on the grounds.
The bunker renovation was completed a few weeks and all the bunkers have white bunker sand that is sure to eat a ball. It took many extra hours to complete this job in the amended time frame but we got it done. Thanks to all the crew's hard work to make sure this project was completed. To the left is one of the bunkers from drain to finished product.
The turf is growing so quickly, it is difficult to keep up. We are currently mowing at an early spring schedule when the turf is coming out of dormancy and going through a flush of growth. Normally, we have backed the frequency of mowing down by this time to match the growth rates. Disease is a constant threat as well. Thankfully, due to the savings throughout the past few seasons, we will not have a shortage of chemicals to combat the pests.
We have also started another project on the grounds. We are in the process of replacing our irrigation well head. The current one is upwards of 50 years old and worn out. The new one should last just as long as the old one before needed replaced again. Please be mindful of the large hole near the maintenance barn until the work is completed.
As always if you have any questions, I have an open door policy. I will make myself available to any of those that would like to discuss golf course business.
Ryan Leach, Superintendent.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Welcome to the 2015 season at MSGC
Welcome to the 2015 year at MSGC!
We have a lot of updates for everyone, so hold on tight!
MSGC purchased a new fairway mower this year to complete the fairway equipment rotation. The old one that was replace had over 5000 hours on it which is the equivalent to 300,000 miles! It was a piece that was desperately needed and we are grateful to get it.
Our bunker project came to an abrupt halt when we had to stop work in December and the plant was not processing sand in these cold temperatures. When the weather breaks, we will continue to finish these bunker renovations. At this time there is no time frame on when these will be completed.
MSGC has tuned, fixed, rebuilt, sharpened, and maintained the equipment this winter for the upcoming year. It is always a large task to do these jobs but the savings is monumental. Doing these maintenance practices in house versus sending them out is a savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars. We could not be happier with the staff diving into these intricate machines without prior experience or knowledge. It takes dedication to learn the ins and outs of these units. A few pieces of equipment did need to go out as we could not fix them to the standards they need to be.
We have a few surprises for the patrons this year. I won't go any further with that but we would like feedback on the changes.
As for this years pest control, it is extensive. I have implemented plans to apply pre-emergent weed control to the entire course. This is change from previous years as we have never applied pre-emergent weed control to the rough. Added applications to the tees and fairways have been implemented. This is in major part to shopping for best prices on products and saving copious amounts of money so we can better use spray programs on the course. MSGC staff will also be making an extra grub control application as 2014 showed us our weaknesses in the fall grub flush.
As the year goes on we are planning to change any old irrigation heads with new more efficient heads, permanently mounting ball washers into small concrete pads to prevent theft, finishing the bunker renovations, prune trees when time permits, put fresh gravel down where needed, etc.
On that note, we will be closing the cart path on top of the levee to #14 green. The trees have undermined it along with ground burrowing animals. It is safer and more economical to put the path along the left side of the hole at the bottom of the levee.
As always we would like feedback, comments, and questions. You can email me at ryan.leach@troyohio.gov or call us at 937-339-4078.
We have a lot of updates for everyone, so hold on tight!
MSGC purchased a new fairway mower this year to complete the fairway equipment rotation. The old one that was replace had over 5000 hours on it which is the equivalent to 300,000 miles! It was a piece that was desperately needed and we are grateful to get it.
Our bunker project came to an abrupt halt when we had to stop work in December and the plant was not processing sand in these cold temperatures. When the weather breaks, we will continue to finish these bunker renovations. At this time there is no time frame on when these will be completed.
MSGC has tuned, fixed, rebuilt, sharpened, and maintained the equipment this winter for the upcoming year. It is always a large task to do these jobs but the savings is monumental. Doing these maintenance practices in house versus sending them out is a savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars. We could not be happier with the staff diving into these intricate machines without prior experience or knowledge. It takes dedication to learn the ins and outs of these units. A few pieces of equipment did need to go out as we could not fix them to the standards they need to be.
We have a few surprises for the patrons this year. I won't go any further with that but we would like feedback on the changes.
As for this years pest control, it is extensive. I have implemented plans to apply pre-emergent weed control to the entire course. This is change from previous years as we have never applied pre-emergent weed control to the rough. Added applications to the tees and fairways have been implemented. This is in major part to shopping for best prices on products and saving copious amounts of money so we can better use spray programs on the course. MSGC staff will also be making an extra grub control application as 2014 showed us our weaknesses in the fall grub flush.
As the year goes on we are planning to change any old irrigation heads with new more efficient heads, permanently mounting ball washers into small concrete pads to prevent theft, finishing the bunker renovations, prune trees when time permits, put fresh gravel down where needed, etc.
On that note, we will be closing the cart path on top of the levee to #14 green. The trees have undermined it along with ground burrowing animals. It is safer and more economical to put the path along the left side of the hole at the bottom of the levee.
As always we would like feedback, comments, and questions. You can email me at ryan.leach@troyohio.gov or call us at 937-339-4078.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Spring has sprung
We have started mowing, mowing, and more mowing. The turf is growing quickly and thick.
We have applied our crabgrass pre-emergent, seed head suppression, and multiple applications of fertilizer. Here in the next week, we will be attacking the broad leaf weeds and Dandelions.
This month we have had 5.9 inches of rain at the course and it has kicked the growing season in gear.
The greens were aerified on April 18th. Wehrkamp Enterprises Inc. did a great job with the annual deep tine to a depth of 8" and bi annual core harvest to a depth of 4-5". We applied our topdressing sand and the greens are healing nicely.
I will be posting speeds of greens starting in the second week of May and those speeds will be located on the bulletin board at the pro shop. The goal is to maintain a speed of 7-9 throughout the year.
The restroom behind #13 tee is open and available for use at anytime during the operating hours.
As of April 28, we have a few clutches of Canadian Goose goslings roaming the turf near the pond. They are a sight to see and fun to watch.
The bunkers are being worked on a few a week to get sand back to the depths they should be. Please be patient as this takes time and a lot of man hours to complete.
Our irrigation will be getting worked on in the days to come. Please be mindful of the technicians working on the gray irrigation boxes as safety is a priority. The flood we had on December 23 did significant damage and there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done to repair the system to working order.
Enjoy the course and as always, we are available for discussion in the maintenance barn about concerns or improvements.
Ryan Leach, GCSAA
Groundskeeper
We have applied our crabgrass pre-emergent, seed head suppression, and multiple applications of fertilizer. Here in the next week, we will be attacking the broad leaf weeds and Dandelions.
This month we have had 5.9 inches of rain at the course and it has kicked the growing season in gear.
The greens were aerified on April 18th. Wehrkamp Enterprises Inc. did a great job with the annual deep tine to a depth of 8" and bi annual core harvest to a depth of 4-5". We applied our topdressing sand and the greens are healing nicely.
I will be posting speeds of greens starting in the second week of May and those speeds will be located on the bulletin board at the pro shop. The goal is to maintain a speed of 7-9 throughout the year.
The restroom behind #13 tee is open and available for use at anytime during the operating hours.
As of April 28, we have a few clutches of Canadian Goose goslings roaming the turf near the pond. They are a sight to see and fun to watch.
The bunkers are being worked on a few a week to get sand back to the depths they should be. Please be patient as this takes time and a lot of man hours to complete.
Our irrigation will be getting worked on in the days to come. Please be mindful of the technicians working on the gray irrigation boxes as safety is a priority. The flood we had on December 23 did significant damage and there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done to repair the system to working order.
Enjoy the course and as always, we are available for discussion in the maintenance barn about concerns or improvements.
Ryan Leach, GCSAA
Groundskeeper
Monday, March 10, 2014
Fore The Golfer: Why Bunkers Are Not Consistent
This is a great video about bunkers and bunker quality. We try our very best to give the golfers the best playing conditions in bunkers however, there are times that we cannot get to them and the USGA does a great job explaining why.
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