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Superintendent's Blog
In an effort to provide the membership with the highest quality golf experience the Grounds Committee has developed a communication program. The goal of this program is to provide you with the means to obtain information about the golf course, and how the maintenance operation will affect your ability to enjoy the golf course.
The superintendent's blog will offer descriptions and explanations of current conditions and coming maintenance practices. If there are issues that you would like to see addressed in this manner, please feel free to contact us with suggestions regarding the content and format of this page.
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April 30, 2008
For those of you who check this feature regularly, I apologize for the fact that there has not been any new material to read in a while. The reason is that we have been extremely busy finishing our winter projects, completing spring cleanup, and getting the course in good playing condition.
You may have noticed that the weather has been a little on the dry side this month. We usually spend the month of April struggling to keep carts available, identify potential drainage projects, and hopefully keep the course mowed between rain storms. This year we are hurrying to get the irrigation system up and running and worrying about potential fire hazards.
The rain yesterday was much needed and will make the course a bit more forgiving, especially on the greens which have been a little on the firm side for the past two weeks. I thought Stan was going to start selling pool cues in his shop instead of putters. Hopefully we can get the irrigation bugs worked out and those days will be behind us.
It has been great to see so much activity at the club this spring as the warm weather has made the course more accessible and inviting. We hope this continues right into the summer and throughout the golf season. I have recieved a number of questions this year from members which has inspired me to add a frequently answered questions feature on the web site. Click on the link every once in a while to see if there may be an answer to a question that you may have but never had a chance to ask. Also I will be developing a lawncare resources feature to address the many questions people have asked about how to take care of their lawn (obviously these people have never seen my lawn at home or they would probably be more inclined to ask Tanner). It will be a while before I can get this completed, but you can find information about common 4 step programs at your local garden center, or GOOGLE the Connecticut Agriculture Extension Service for more resources. Without too much trouble you will find plenty of information about soil testing, pest control, and for those with green hearts as well as green thumbs there is a great Integrated Pest Management resource.
We have completed the 9th tee project and the new sod and plant material should be established in the next few weeks. You also may have noticed the new plantings around the 2nd green area including the Bradford Pear tree planted last fall, and the lilacs planted along the cart barn last week. These plantings complete the beautification projects funded by the first 9, wine, and dine from last year. We will be looking to plan the next phase of the beautification program which will likely include plantings along the entrance to the club as well as the area between the putting green and the 1st hole.
Now for the bad news. Finally the greens are smooth and healthy which means it's time to punch holes in them, and yes, we will be using the same size tines as last year. The good news is that I have chosen to use a more aggressive fertilization strategy to help the greens heal faster. The only variable we are worried about is the weather. They are calling for a chance of rain early in the week which is great for the fertilization but may slow down the cleanup and topdressing process. I will keep you posted on the status of the aeration and what we should expect as the greens begin the recovery process.
Thank you for your patience and support this season, and we hope that you will be able to get out and enjoy the benefits of all the work we completed so far this year.
(Posted 4/30/2008 by grounds) |
April 5, 2008
It was great to see so many of you at the Opening Night Cocktail Party last night. The excitement and enthusiasm filled the room as old friends reconnected, and new friends were introduced. Being relatively new to the club, I was very moved and impressed by the emotion shared during the dedication of the Sam Orr Pro Shop and the Ahrens Family Dining Room. It is very rare today to find members that are able to dedicate so much of their time and energy to their club, and to have the club play such a vital role in their lives. I am proud to be associated with a club that remembers the families that built and supported this club for many years, and that they will forever be recognized for their contributions.
I enjoyed speaking with so many of you again, and especially meeting many new members for the first time. Your support and encouragement means a lot to all of us in the maintenance department, and it was great that Rod and Joe were able to witness your support and appreciation first hand. I was especially excited to hear that someone is actually visiting the website. I hope to make this the focus of our communication program, and I promise to provide updates more often now that I know my wife is not the only one who reads it.
Keep an eye out for new features such as Frequently Answered Questions and the Lawncare Resouce page that I hope to add soon. Your participation and feedback will guide us as we add and update features of the this page in an effort to keep the membership educated and informed about the maintenance operation. Our hope is that our efforts will make your experience at the club more enjoyable and that you will be inspired to play an active role in the care and maintenance of your golf course.
Thanks again for your support and we look forward to seeing you again on the golf course.
(Posted 4/5/2008 by grounds) |
March 27, 2008
It feels like Spring has finally arrived. The sun has been vey strong and the daytime highs are closing in on the 50 degree range. The recent weather has allowed us to open the course on a conditional basis. We ill be reviewing the conditions each morning to determine if the greens are dry enough to recieve approach shots. The overnight lows are still near or below freezing which causes the surface of the greens to freeze. While the turf is frozen or thawing it is very susceptible to damage so we will delay opening the course until late morning on days when the lows are in the low 30's.
As long as favorbale weather conditions exist we will try to keep the course open, but the long term condition of the course remains our top priority. We hope you are able to get out and enjoy an early round or two, but please check the web page daily before heading out to the course as conditions can change rapidly.
In the event that the course is not accessible you might want to check out the rules quiz found on the USGA website. If you can't challenge yourself on the course you can at least test your knowledge of the game. There are also some interesting videos explaining some of the rules in more detail. You can find these by clicling on "Turf Links" on the GROUNDS page of the website.
Thank you again for your patience and I look forward to seeing you at the Opening Night Cocktail Party on April 4th.
(Posted 3/26/2008 by grounds) |
March 17th
Happy St. Patricks Day.
Hopefully you recieved an email from Bob Shea this weekend regarding the opening of the golf course. The weather has been favorable over the last week and the guys have done an excellent job getting the course cleaned up. We still have quite a way to go but are working diligently so that we can be ready as soon as conditions allow us to open the golf course.
I thought I would share a few points with you that will help you understand what is happening to the golf course and what factors influence our decision to open. The most important factors are weather, the position of the sun, and how these combine to affect soil moisture. With each passing day the attitude and intensity of the sun increase and the shadows it casts become shorter. This results in longer, warmer days which will remove any frost that still exists in the ground, and the increasing intensity will drive air circulation which will help evaporate excess moisture from the soil. Bright, sunny days like today will be very helpful in getting the course ready to open. Unfortunately this is not the case on cloudy days that are so common in March, especially if it rains.
This time of year the sun has a very strong influence on daytme temperatures that will reach into the fifties very soon. Unfortunately it has little effect on the low temperatures at night which remain below freezing. Until the nighttime temperatures remain above freezing the water in the soil will move very slowly and it will take a long time for the course to drain, especially in the shade. It will be these shaded (1st and 9th greens)and low lying areas that become the limiting factors for playability and we will be monitoring them closely on a daily basis.
The weather patterns will also have a significant impact on the condition of the course, especially if we recieve heavy rain or even snow which is the forecast for the middle of the week. One year ago today we were under a 2" blanket of fresh snow which delayed the opening unitl early April. Hopefully we won't have to worry about that this year.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we go through the the difficult process of getting the course ready for play. I understand that there are other courses that are open, and some even are allowing carts. I ask that you remember that each course has its own unique characteristics and priorities, and that our priority is providing the membership with superior playing conditions throughout the golf season.
Thank you again for your patience and we hope to see you on the course soon. If you have any questions regarding this decision making process, or work that we have been doing over the winter please click on the 5 QUESTIONS link on the GROUNDS page and we will be happy to provide you with an answer.
(Posted 3/17/2008 by grounds) |
March 6, 2008
It is finally starting to feel like spring. The high temperatures this week will be nearing the 50's and the sun is noticeably stronger. The warm weather and heavy rain has melted the majority of the snow that blanketed the course, which is the first step toward getting the course ready for the 2008 season.
Unfortunately it has created some drainage nightmares throughout the property. We went out to check on some problem areas and found significant flooding along Muddy Brook and Clay Creek, as well as supersaturated soil in areas where the ground has thawed. This makes it impossible for us to get out and start to clean up the mess that we (and Mother Nature) have made. We will be focusing our attention on addressing the areas that we can access, all the while monitoring the condition of the course as it begins to break dormancy.
I have already been asked when I thought we might be able to open, and I have told people I am hoping we can be ready in early April. The ability to open sooner will depend on weather patterns, how fast the course dries, and when the greens are firm enough to recieve shots. I will be having the discussion more often in the coming weeks, and I assure you the decision will be made based on observations made on the golf course and not from the office window.
We are all looking forward to another successful enjoyable golf season and we hope to see you on the course soon.
(Posted 3/6/2008 by grounds) |
February 23, 2008
As I look out the window at another beautiful New England winter landscape it is hard to imagine that the golf season is right around the corner. The maintenance staff has been working diligently this year to prepare for the 2008 season.
While we were trapped inside for much of the off season we worked hard to invest Repair and Maintenance resources to improve the condition and extend the life of our equipment fleet. In addition to routine sharpening and seasonal maintenance we rebuilt the deck of our rough mower. This unit was very worn and was a top priority for replacement at a cost of $25,000. We also considered replacing the deck for $10,000 since the drive unit was still in good condition. We invested $1000 (and countless skinned knuckles) and refurbished and replaced the worn parts and are confident that we will be able to extend the life of this unit for at least two more years.
When we were able to get outside we were able to complete numerous tree maintenance projects. We removed a number of dead trees throughout the property, most notably on holes four and five. We also spent a considerable amount of time and energy pruning the oak trees throughout the property. While this work will have minimal affect on the playability of the holes it should enhance the aesthetic beauty considerably.
We have not been able to take down the oak tree on the eighth hole due to access problems. We will be evaluating a number of options and will take action when we are confident that we can safely remove the tree without causing unneccessary damage to the rest of the course.
I hope to make this site more informative and interactive this year and would love to hear your comments about the topics covered on the site. Please continue to check us out from time to time and drop us a line now and again so we can make the web site more effective.
I have added an update about the decision to open the golf course and hope to add other features soon. Enjoy the rest of the winter and we hope to see you on the golf course very soon.
(Posted 2/23/2008 by grounds) |
November 1, 2007
We are approaching the end of a very successful golf season. The weather and leaves have finally changed and we are trying to keep the course as playable as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding and hope you are able to get out and enjoy some of the finest golf of the season.
The next few weeks will be rather busy as we try to juggle leaf cleanup, completing projects on the course, and getting the course ready for winter.
Behind the scenes we are already preparing for next season. Developing budgets, reviewing cultural and maintenance programs, and looking for opportunities to build on the lessons learned this season.
We are very excited about the future and are eager to provide the membership with a satisfactory return on the resources invested in our department through the capital fund drive. We will keep you posted on where the money is spent and how it will benefit the golf course for years to come.
Please feel free to send along your comments and constructive criticism regarding the past golf season to superintendent@suffieldcc.com.
Thank you again for your continued support.
(Posted 10/31/2007 by admin) |
October 3, 2007
Thank you for checking the superintendent's blog. I have recieved a few comments from people that have read previous entries but I am interested in knowing how many people are stopping by, and how often. I would apprecieate it if you would click on the CONTACT US section of the GROUNDS PAGE so we can monitor the activity. While there we would like to know if you find the information provided on this page useful and informative, and what additional information you might be looking for.
Now, on to the golf course.
We have been extremely busy over the past six weeks. I remember planning the calendar early this year thinking that we would be able to catch our breath after Labor Day. September was the busiest month I have ever spent on the golf course. The work we completed is remarkable and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor well into next season.
The greens aeration was a tremendous success and I am looking forward to excellent playing conditions for the rest of the year. We also aerified the fairways and are in the process of applying the fertilizer that will prepare the turf for the coming winter months. We hope to put the finishing touches on the process by the beginning of next week.
We are currently preparing for three very important tournaments next week including the Fall Pro-Pro, the Member-Guest, and the Pro-Member. The golf course should be in fine condition for all of these events and we encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy the best golf of the seaon in the coming weeks.
The next couple of months we will focus our attention on fall cleanup and preparing the golf course for the winter so that we can get a fresh start next year.
Please take a moment to reflect on a very important golf season for Suffield CC and let us know what you liked, and what you think we could do better in the future.
(Posted 10/3/2007 by admin) |
September 15, 2007
The greens aeration is now complete and the greens are ready to begin developing the roots and energy reserves that will sustain them through the heat and stress of next summer. A similar process of aeration and fertilization will be completed on the fairways later this month.
The coming weeks will be very busy for the maintenance staff as we continue to get the course ready for winter in addition to routine maintenance and fall leaf cleanup. We would appreciate it if you would do your part by repalcing/filling divots on tees and in fairways and especially repairing your ball marks on greens.
You may have noticed the divot mix containers on many of the tees. Please take a few seconds to fill and smooth your divots. It will greatly improve the condition of the tees this fall and throughout the coming season.
I would like to thank everyone that has participated in the "Adopt a Hole" program. It is a great opportunity for the membership to take ownership of the golf course and will improve the playing conditions for years to come.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the condition of the golf course or the maintenance operation in general please feel free to forward them to superintendent@suffieldcc.com. We appreciate your support and encouragement and look forward to seeing you on the golf course.
(Posted 9/15/2007 by admin) |
August 31, 2007
It has been a long time since I last updated this feature and I offer my most sincere apology. I am happy to report that the golf course has faired rather well through the hot,dry conditions this summer as a result of the dedication and hard work of the greens staff and the grounds committee members.
I imagine it has been a long time since anyone has mentioned the investment in the irrigation system, but this is the year that you have really gotten your money's worth out of that investment. Please remember this when it comes time to discuss future capital investments for the maintenance department.
While there are still a few months left in this golf season, our focus will be shifting from maintaining the golf course to preparing it for next summer. This includes fine tuning the fertilizer and cultural programs as well as developing the budget to ensure that we will be able to maintain the level of quality that you enjoyed this season. A few things that you should take note of are the fall greens aeration (week of September 10th), fairway aeration (September 24th), and fertilizer/chemical applications that will prepare the golf course for the winter months.
I encourage all members to get involved with the "adopt a hole" program and participate in the "Nine,Wine, and Dine" tournaments. These are both excellent opportunities for you to take ownership of your course and to show that you are proud to be a member of Suffield Country Club.
Again I would like to thank you for your cooperation and support this season and we hope to have continued success well into the Autumn months.
(Posted 8/31/2007 by admin) |
June 23, 2007
I would like to thank everyone for their support and positive feedback this season. It really makes our job more enjoyable knowing that our work is appreciated, especially heading into July and August.
The best examples I can share are related to the response to our requests in newsletters and emails regarding cart traffic and communicating with the staff members. Most of the golfers seem to be following the cart signs and it has made a big difference around the greens and tees. Please continue to keep all carts, motorized and pull carts, a safe distance from green and tee banks. It will continue to preserve the condition of the rough now that we are heading into the heat of summer.
I have already noticed a number of golfers taking time to alert us to their presence when we are working on the course. This is a positive sign that we are all working together to achieve a common goal...a safe, enjoyable golf experience at Suffield CC.
Thank you for your continued support. Continue to visit this site to keep up with what is happening on your golf course.
(Posted 6/23/2007 by admin) |
June 13, 2007
We have finally caught up with the irrigation repairs and greens aeration is complete. The greens are healing nicely and we hope to be able to work on putting quality in the next week or so.
In the coming weeks we will be busy fine tuning the irrigation system, monitoring for insects and diseases, and aerifying tees.
The grounds committee is busy working on developing a course beautification program and we are beginning to plan the first project. Other committee projects include developing a long range plan for capital equipment purchases and developing a hole-by-hole improvement list.
Perhaps our most important project is developing an effective communication plan. We are currently utilizing the newsletter and email system as well as the club web site (as you have obviously discovered).
The latest exercise in the communication program involves the removal of the oak tree on the 8th green. The tree has overgrown its space and we are currently obtaining estimates for its removal. There is a forum on this web page where members can share their opinions regarding the tree. We hope everyone will share their thoughts in a constructive manner so that we can make the decision that is in the best interest of golf course as well as the membership.
Thank you for your interest in the golf course maintenance operation and we look forward to seeing you on the golf course.
(Posted 6/13/2007 by admin) |
June 4, 2007
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The warm dry weather last week was ideal for completing the greens aeration process. We were able to achieve all of our goals with repsect to thatch management, gas exchange, and soil modification. Today's rains are ideal for the healing process and we look forward to enjoying the benefits throughout the remainder of the golf season.
We appreciate your patience and support through our many difficult challenges this season. Hopefully the worst is behind us and we will be able to focus our efforts on grooming and conditioning for the next few months.
The coming weeks will present new challenges with respect to insect and disease control, and water management. It may take me a little while to get used to the geology, topography, and climate, but the experienced crew members have been very helpful with the transition thus far. We will be moving forward with caution so please be patient as we try to provide premium playing conditions without sacrificing the health of the turf.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you on the golf course.
(Posted 6/4/2007 by admin) |
May 22, 2007
The cold wet spring we endured seems to be over and summer is right around the corner. This weekend is Memorial Day and the golf season is in full swing. Ask anyone who has battled the rough and they will tell you that the turf is very healthy and growing rather vigorously.
The repairs to the irrigation system are almost complete and we will soon shift our focus to course conditioning and details. I would like to thank the guys on the crew for their dedication and hard work. We will have repaired over thirty irrigation breaks over the last few weeks and still managed to keep up with the daily maintenance. Please take a moment to let the guys know how much you are enjoying the golf course and that you appreciate their efforts. It is a lot easier to get through the heat of the summer when you know you are appreciated.
You may have noticed that the practice green has been aerified. The remaining nine greens will be aerified the Tuesday after Memorial Day. The course will be closed for the entire day as this is an extremely labor intensive project. We hope to have all the greens aerified and top dressed in one day, and will work to fill the holes as much as possible during the rest of the week. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the nature and necessity of this process in the "5 Questions" portion of the web page.
We will continue to work to maintain premium playing conditions throughout the season, and look forward to seeing you on the golf course.
(Posted 5/22/2007 by admin) |
May 1, 2007
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As many of you have noticed there are many cosmetic changes that have been made to the golf course. We are trying to minimize the amount of trimwork required throughout the property in an effort to maximize the efficiency of the maintenance operation. So far the changes have been very successful. Removing ropes, planters and birdhouses has significantly reduced the amount of string trimming required throughout the property.
We started to fill the irrigation system last week and discovered we suffered numerous breaks to the sprinkler heads. We believe it is a combination of the warm winter months followed by a rapid and very deep freeze in late winter. We are not alone and certainly not the worst off, but it will require a lot of time to make all the necessary repairs.
We have recently purchased a used sprayer for our pesticide applications. The month of May is a very busy time for controlling turf pests including weeds, insects and diseases. Please don't be alarmed if you see the sprayer on the course more than normal as we are trying to control many of these problems in a preemergent and proactive manner.
As always we look forward to seeing you on the golf course, and would appreciate your help by making sure you leave the golf course in better shape than you found it.
Please continue to visit this page and submit your question, comments or suggestions.
(Posted 4/29/2007 by admin) |
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