Westfield Greens

The Weather Of 2010...A Hot Topic

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 Cooling a fairway by syringing

Above average temperatures across the midwest and mid atlantic states have reaked havoc on many golf courses.  The loss of turf on golf courses has been caused by excessive temperatures, rainfall and heavy disease pressure.

Although it is challenging to manage turf under these conditions, below are a few rules most golf course superintendents follow to minimize turf loss on greens, tees and fairways:

• Cooling the turf by syringing (see picture above) during the hottest part of the day
• Mowing in the morning only
• Controlling cart traffic with directional signs or stakes
• Venting greens (see June 14th post)
• Good Drainage...remove surface water immediately after an afternoon downpour to prevent scalding

If you'd like to read more about how the weather is affecting golf courses throughout the United States, click on the follwoing links:

 USGA Special-Notice---July-2010

Planalytics Weather for Agricultural

Buckeyeturf.

Preventing Heat And Sun Related Injuries

Cooling Down In The Summer Heat 

Being at the pool on a hot summer day can be a great way to cool down from the summer heat. Other outdoor activities, whether work or play, can be risky if proper precautions are not taken.  It is important prevent exposure to the sun and heat if at all possible...if it's not possible, the following tips from the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Red Cross will help protect you and those you are with from injury.  

Skin Safety

Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here's how to Be Sun Smart^®:

• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreenwith a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (EVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.

• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.

• Protect children from sun exposure. Be sure to play in the shade, use protective clothing, and apply sunscreen. For more details please click on the link below

Protecting Yourself From The Sun

 

Heat Related Illnesses

The American Red Cross Has identified Three injuries related to working or recreating in the heat:

• Heat Cramps

are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen caused by exposure to high heat and humidity and loss of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are often an early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.

• Heat exhaustion

typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.

• Heat stroke

(also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself.

For more details on heat related injuries and their treatment click on the link below

Recognizing Heat Related Illnesses

Photo Courtesy of Westfield Group Country Club

Golf Course Venting...just another form of greens aeration

WGCC North Course after a torrential downpour in August of 2008
 

Have you ever played a round of golf after summer thunderstorm? If it's been dry, everything drains fairly well and within an hour or so after the rain stops, most of the water has been absorbed in the soil. 

If it rains a few days in a row...the water becomes a nuisance, because it affects the playability of  the course.

If the rainy weather lasts for a week or so, it becomes problematic, because it impacts the long term health of the turf, particularly the greens which are mowed at less than 1/8".

As most have experienced, the weather in Northern Ohio the past week or so has been extremely wet. Our on course weather reports indicate seven rain events over a 14 day period for a total of 3.43 inches of precipitation. This weather has us implementing contingency plans so that we can minimize turf health issues that could arise in July and August.

Problems resulting from play and regular maintenance on soils that are saturated, may not be immediately recognized.  If wet conditions persist for too long, it's easy for the greens soil to become compacted and resulting in long term problems.  Saturated soils affect the playability, aesthetics and overall turfgrass plant health the following ways:

Playability

• Balls plugging in the fairways
• Slower ball roll speed
• Longer rounds of golf due to having carts on paths more frequently

Aesthetics

• Off color turf (yellowish) because of poor carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange,
• Effective height of cut is lowered because mowers sink into wet soil, causing scalping (see picture below)

Agronomics

• Compacted soils have reduced air space causing an anaerobic conditions
• Moist soils and warm weather are a great combination for increased turf disease incidence
• Available nutrients are reduce by flushing through the soil

Discolored, scalped turf during the summer of 2007 

Even though our spring aeration went just as planned in April, it is important we continue to focus on the most challenging part of the season agronomically...July and August.

As part of the focus, Today we "vented" the South Course greens.  With a weather forecast that includes more rain the next few days and warmer temperatures (high 80's) this weekend, we took advantage of the opportunity.

Comparative view of vented vs. non-vented surface on putting green

 
Close up view of green with venting holes in comparison to dime

Venting is basically poking holes in the soil profile with 1/4" solid tines (about 4" deep) on an standard greens aerator. This allows good exchange of oxygen/carbon dioxide in the soil profile which creates an environment conducive of good root growth, which will improve plant health, which will create a high quality putting surface.

Greens Venting Video Part I

Greens Venting Video Part II

After we vent the greens, they are rolled with a standard greens roller, mowed and are then ready for play.  Heal in time will be two to three days, with minimal impact to ball roll smoothness or distance. Typically this process is done two to three times a summer.

Employee Safety Training

Golf Course Operations staff after completing chainsaw training exercise

Recently, the Golf Course Operations staff at Westfield Group Country Club went through a chainsaw safety training exercise with Scott Lerman from Bryan Equipment, a distribubtor of Stihl chainsaws and equipment.

Although staff had previous classroom training, with the amount of tree work brought on by the Emerald Ash Borer, we felt it very important to have a solid combination of classroom and hands-on training for our full time staff and interns.

 

Our stated objective for the day was to enhance our understanding of safe chainsaw operations and tree felling techniques.

 

 Our training session included three parts:

1. Classroom Review
   • Chainsaw operating parts, safety features and adjustments
   • Personal Protective Equipment
   • Emergency response and first aid
   • Tree Felling Techniques
2. Tailgate Instruction - Conducted on truck tailgate
   • Reveiwed and inspected all PPE
   • Reveiwed and inspected chainsaws and other equipment used
   • Review of emergency plan
3. Field Demonstration
   • Identify hazards
   • Review tree felling target procedures
   • Specify cutting angle on tree
   • Drop tree

Instructor Scott Lerman demonstrating proper cutting angle

After the tree was dropped, we identified and evaluated ground hazards and how to safely remove them.  Scott demonstrated proper cutting techniques for relieving stress points on branches.

Identifying stress points on branches

Once all stress points were relieved, Scott required all staff to demonstrate proficiency in the cutting techniques used to fell the tree.  All participants were coached on how to make the cuts and successfully completed the tasks

 Staff member Brent Cherry using bore cut technique

All in all it was a great experience for our staff and we now have the level of experience and training that aids in making tree removal at Westfield Group Country Club safer.

*Photos courtesy of Mark Jordan and Scott Lerman

Severe Weather Evacuation Plans for Golf Courses

Have you seen this picture before?  Well, maybe not the exact same picture, but you may have seen one similar to this...reflecting the randomness of a lightning strike.  The picture below was taken at Westfield Group Country Club after a storm in 2008 and occured between holes 10 and 18 on the South Course. Fortunately, the courses were evacuated prior to the strike and the only loss was the Locust tree, which was removed three months after the incident. What you don't see is the splintered shrapnal of the tree which was cast out approximately 25 to 30 yards, evidence of the high energy a bolt of lightining carries.

 
 
Lightening is the main reason for course evacuation, but impending severe storms require us to evacuate as well.  The evacuation procedure is not only for members and guests, but for employees as well. 

Our course evacuation program at WGCC includes the following protocol:

1. Monitor daily weather forecasts to determine level of severe weather probability
2. If severe weather is forecasted for the day, staff continually monitors weather radars through out the club facilities.
3. If radar indicates severe weather exists in the region, and staff monitors the lightening detection system and if the system indicates a course evacuation value, the course evacuation siren is sounded with three long blasts.
4. At this time golfers and employees are required to evacuate the courses and go to assigned safe areas on the golf courses including; The Clubhouse, Blair Center, Halfway House or Cart Barn.
5. During the period of inclimate weather, the staff continues to monitor weather conditions and at the point of when the lightening detection system indicates all clear, three blasts will sound again to resume play.

Where ever it is you may be playing, if there is potential for severe weather, ask about the course evacuation plan and make sure you understand where to go seek safe shelter.

Some articles of interest regarding Lightening Safety:

On Course Lightening Safety Tips

National Golf Foundation Article "Don't Play Through"

 2009 Lightening Fatalitiy statistics

*Staff Photo

National Golf Day Highlights Positive Economic Impact of Golf

The National Golf Day (NGD) was held last Wednesday in Washington D.C. As a member of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association Governmental Relations Committee, I had the honor of participating in the NGD, National Golf Day, as well as committee meetings the previous day. The two day experience included discussions with golf industry leaders on the We Are Golf Coalition, We Are Golf , fellow GR committee members from around the country, and staff  from Senator George Voinovich, Sherrod Brown and Congressman John Boccieri's offices.

 

 
The GCSAA Governmental Relations Committee, a blue ribbon panel, hand selected by the Information and Public Policy Group at GCSAA, included participants from Florida, Arizona, California (3), Colorado, Long Island, New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Montana and Ohio.  A diverse and well rounded group representing virtually all facets of golf; public, private and resort facilities.

 

On Tuesday April 27, committee meetings were held at Reed Smith Law offices in D.C and discussion focused on industry legislative issues in the states represented. Topics of discussion focused on water conservation and pesticide legislation. Some specific points of discussion: Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Restoration program, current legislation on natural disaster funding (HR 4213) and the economic impact of the game of golf in the United States.

 

Tuesday night, we attended a dinner at the Capitol Hill Club that included We Are Golf Coalition members Joe Sternka - CEO PGA, Mark Woodward - CEO GCSAA, Jim Singerling- CEO Club Managers, Mike Hughes - CEO Golf Course Owners Association, Joe Louis Barrow Jr. - CEO First Tee, Steve Mona - CEO World Golf Foundation and PGA Tour Player Corey Pavin...quite an influential group.

 

Wednesday was National Day of Golf and the industry "Day on the Hill".  Our goal was to create an awareness of the positive impact the golf industry has on the nation, as well as the state.  Here are some interesting facts from the discussion points:

Economic Impact of Golf:

Golf Industry - National

• $195 billion in total direct and indirect economic impact
• 2 million jobs
• $61 billion in total wage income

Golf Industry - Ohio

• $4.8 billion in total indirect and direct economic impact
• 68,000 jobs
• $1.5 billion in wage income

We then reviewed the national issues discussed in the GR Committee meeting the previous day, as well as the following state issues:

• SB 199 - Golf Course Property Taxes
• Federal support of the research and extension programs at The Ohio State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Strip mining near Clearview Golf Course in East Canton

We closed with discussion on the historical significance of Ohio in the golf industry.  All in all, it was a great opportunity to create an awareness of the positive influence the golf industry has on the economy and environment at all levels.

*Photo courtesy of Jason Pitt, Staff Assistant, Office of Congressman John Boccieri
 

It's been a busy spring!

The rain over the weekend was absolutely perfect for the golf course and the landscape...unfortunately it was good for the weeds too...particularly the dandelions.  Total rainfall for the weekend was approxiamtely .70" which brings the total for the month to 1.02" which is 2.12"below the average April monthly rainfall of 3.14".  As a comparison, in April 2009 we had 3.33" of rain for the month.  We still have a few days to go, but after today the forecast looks sunny and mild. 

Aeration

Last week South Course greens and the Practice Facility were aerated, topdressed and fertilized (click on the video link) and this week we are completing the North Course. 

Greens Core Aeration . The spring aeration schedule was earlier than normal this year and since mother nature is cooperating with us, the greens will heal in earlier than normal.

 

Projects

Updates on Project around the club...

Front entrance of the clubhouse - Because of severe winter damage, a brick planter box was removed and new drainage, gravel and topsoil was filled in along with new drainage in the landscape bed.

Tunnel wall

 
 

Because of hydraulic gournd pressure last few winters, we are replacing the northeast wall of the tunnel under Greenwich Road.  Work should be completed by the end of this week
 

Opening Day...

The view from #1 Tee North this morning at 8:55....Wish you were here?

Mother Nature has given us a spectacular week to manicure the course for the 2010 Opening Day, Although much preparation went into manicuring and primping  the course for today, The real preparation truly began last November...so I thought it might be interesting to provide a high level overview of what has gone on since last November:

Tree Work - We removed over 70 trees from both the North and South Courses primarily due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, Please see the page posting for Emerald Ash Borere for more details.

Equipment Repair - There are 88 mowers on both courses combined to maintain and repair.  A stringent preventative maintenance plan is executed throughout the winter months whihc includes service to the engines, hydrualic systems, and sharpening of the reels and bedknives of the  cutting units (see picture below).  There are also 25 utility vehicles (John Deere Gators etc...) and many other peices of equipment  that have preventitive maintenance performed.

   Greens Mowing Cutting Unit - Reel/Bedknife/Roller

Agronomic Programs - Review and evaluate feritlizer and other plant health care programs used on th course.

Employee Training/Safety Program - This past winter our managment staff met with Westfield Insurance Loss Control Department to develop a comprehensive safety training program for the green staff.  This included OSHA requirements, Job Safety Assessments and Facility Safety Audits.

Operational Efficiencies - Review resources and processes to improve efficiencies in many parts of our operation, from equipment routing to communicating day to day practices with the Cart Barn and Pro Shop.

Projects - New irrigation lines were added around #15 South Green for perimeter watering.

Snow Removal - The staff combines efforts with Westfield Group's Facilities Management team in maintaing parking lots, side walks and building egress points.  Suffice it to say, we had a very busy January, February and March.

Three Days and Counting...

 
No this isn't a mirage...but it should be the picture we see this Friday/Saturday/Sunday morning.  As most of you know by now, the club management staff decided to open the course on Friday of this week instead of Saturday…with the forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the weather is looking like late-May instead of April 3^rd…Sunny and high in the mid 70’s.   After last week’s weather 1.25” of rain Monday – Sunday along with the 2” of snow Thursday night, we are entitled to some summer like weather.

The staff is busy preparing the course for the opening.  With the inclimate weather last week we were unable to mow anything, so in order to get make sure we are ready to go on Friday Assistant Kyle Smith the work week is shaping up like this:

 
    Picture of #7 North greenside with sand washed from bunker face  

 

Tuesday

Prep Bunkers by pushing sand up to wash out areas

Course Accessories

• Ball Washers
• Trash Receptacles
• Bunker Rakes (120)

Debris clean-up

Finish edging flower beds around Clubhouse and North Course

Wednesday

Mowing

• Fairways, Short Rough, Rough
• Greens
• Tees

Thursday

Rake Bunkers bottoms and edges

Roll Greens

Mow Rough

Set Pins

Set out yardage markers, tee markers and mark water hazards

Friday

First Tee Time 9:00

• Mow Greens
• Mow Tees
• Mow Fairways

 It should be an interesting week, we'll keep you posted on the course activities.

The first mowing of 2010...

The smell of fresh cut grass is in the air!

  

With the great weather we've had this week and the bleak weather forecast for the beginning of next week, we mowed greens and tees today for the first time this season...Greens mowing video 

Believe it or not, with the snow cover we had over winter, the grass is somewhat ahead of where it typically is at this time of year. I've had some people ask how we know when it's time to mow the greens and tees. 

Unlike your home lawn (go ahead...wait until as late as possible), the greens, tees and fairways need to be mowed soon after growth has been initiated.  Rough and home lawns,are traditionally mowed between 2" to 3", the areas mentioned above are mowed at 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" respectively, so it is important not to put off the first mowing too long. Excessive leaf tissue removal will affect the long term health of the plant.

Club Projects- Week of March 15th

Clubhouse Pavers - JTS Landscaping repaired pavers on the Pro Shop Terrace

 
  

Main Line Water Repair at Pool House - City water line ruptured on Wednesday of this week...The water line was approximately 6' deep. For those who use the pool quite a bit, you'll see that the locust tree at the front gate had to be removed.