THIS PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP THE CHALLENGING WEATHER WE ARE DEALING WITH

http://weatherblog.kshb.com/heat-wave-day-10-cold-front-is-a-day-away/

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

One of the most important components of maintaining quality putting greens is moisture management. Too little water and the plant wilts, too much moisture and the plants suffocate.. There is a delicate balance that we try to maintain. Recently I have been introduced to a tool that many Superintendents have found to be the answer to this challenge. It changes the art of moisture management to an exacting science by calculating the volumetric moisture content in the soil. We know the percentage when the plant wilts as well as the point where the soil is saturated with moisture and we target a moisture level in the middle where the plants thrive and the putting surface is firm and consistent... We have been using these tools at Deer Creek since May and I am completely sold on the concept.. I say it is where Cutting Edge technology and logic collide resulting in awesome tools that change how we manage turf...

AIR MOVEMENT

As we evaluated the 2011 season, many Superintendents in Kansas City determined that air movement was one of the most crippling environmental stress related problems of the season as it relates to consistent and healthy putting greens.. We were not immune to this problem at Deer Creek.. Our lower lying greens suffered from poor air movement symptoms... We are prepared to remedy this problem with new fans. We researched the topic and have determined the specific needs of our toughest micro climate. We recently purchased 5 50" precision fans and we are in the installation stage of the project now... The project is scheduled to be completed by the 15th of July. Just in time for the humid "dog days" of summer to settle in.

PREPARE FOR THE HEAT

June 27

We are using needle tines to vent the greens as the heat sets in for the 2012 season. We follow the aerators with a roller to smooth the surface. The end result is a small open hole in the he green that allows air exchange that helps the plant breathe and the root zone to percolate water and provide a firm dry putting surface.

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT

This is a video of #10 fairway.  It is covered in mud and sand from the flooding.  This is how we remove the mud from the fairways.  We wet the material and push it off with bunker rakes and hand push squeegees until the turf is exposed.  We then run irrigation water on top to wash the excess mud off the leaf blades and believe it or not the area should recover 100% as long as it doesn't get extremely hot or flood again in the near future. 

DOWN CAME THE RAINS

Please bear with us as we clear the debris and revive the course from the weekend flooding... We received 2.6" of rain this Sunday evening in less than one hour...

If you are ever curious about the rainfall totals or the creek level you can visit http://www.stormwatch.com/Sites/Daily_Site_Readings.aspx . Be sure to look at the sensor located at Metcalf and the Tomahawk river... That sensor is actually on hole #10... Flood stage for us is 8' so anything above that and we are under water at Deer Creek.  The water level reached 13.2 feet Sunday Night so we had approximately 5.2' of water over many of the back nine holes.

As many of you know, we are really good at cleaning up flood debris.  Unfortunately we have had a lot of practice.  We will have the golf course back in shape for the weekend so don't hesitate to make your tee times now.     

posted from Bloggeroid

WELCOME FORE GOLF MANAGEMENT

I am excited to embrace the new management at Deer Creek Golf Club.  FORE GOLF MANAGEMENT has acquired Deer Creek in their management portfolio.  They bring with them a legendary golf icon Mr. Charlie Staples.  Charlie has a reputation as one of the best operators in the business.  His partner Mr. Michael Miraglia has a tremendous resume as well and I look forward to working with FORE GOLF.  I am sure that their sound leadership will propel us into bigger and better things at Deer Creek.