TCCC Grounds Blog: Golf Course Closes Friday

Last weekend we received 2.5 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 43 mph. The course came through the storm in good shape except for the Thirlby Tree on 11 again. This was the third time in a year that a huge section of the tree broke off and now there is just a ¼ of the tree remaining. It was a Bradford Pear Tree and dozens of them line the streets downtown where they are more protected by high winds.

We have been busy the past month getting the golf course ready for winter and it looks like winter is showing up this weekend. They are calling for measurable lake effect snow, then highs in the mid 30s for 10 plus days.

On Friday, the course will close for the season. We’ll be spreading a layer of sand on all of the greens. This application helps protect the crown of the plant from wind desiccation and helps provide an insulation layer from other winter conditions. We’ll be bringing in the remainder of the golf course accessories on Friday as well as blowing & sweeping leaves the remainder of this week. Sadly, we are also hooking up the snow plow and salt spreader so we are ready to plow the clubhouse parking lot this weekend. We still have snow fence to install and some brush and tree work to get to next week.

The irrigation systems and bathrooms have been winterized as well as our sprayers since we have finished spraying our winter fungicides on the greens, tees and fairways. All of these areas received an application of fertilizer as well. These nutrients work their way into the thatch and soil over the winter and begin to breakdown so when spring temperatures arrive they can begin feeding the plants for a new growing season. If we have any winter damage this application helps give them the jump start they need to recover quickly next spring.

Thank you for another great year on the golf course and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Steve