So Far So Good
When will you open is the most frequently asked question i hear in early spring. The better question is why are we not open?
One of the answers is frost. Until the frost is gone and the soils are settled it would be detrimental to allow play. The playing surfaces would get lumpy and bumpy and require more time and labor to smooth out the surfaces. Presently the frost heaves are slowly disappearing and i expect with a few more warm days they should be gone.
Another deciding factor is that the turfgrass is still dormant. In a "normal" spring the turfgrass at our course is just coming out of dormancy the week of the Masters. This also coincides with the frost leaving the ground and we have the property relatively cleaned up and presentable. Mother nature and our staff are right on schedule this year and i hope to open the course next week for walkers.
The LHS golf team came out one afternoon to pick up sticks and fix bunker washouts. They did a tremendous job! Thank you and good luck to Coach Gollow and the LHS golf team!
Yesterday the greens were mowed and then rolled with our 1/4 ton "brutus" roller. This really helps smooth out the frost heaves and firms up the soil. Every spring I focus on plant health and developing deep roots. To encourage deep rooting on the greens they are cut at 3/16th of an inch. Increasing the photosynthetic leaf tissue translates into more energy and deeper roots. The downside to this is that they will putt a little slower than normal. In a few weeks time i will lower the cutting height a 1/16th of an inch. Thanks for understanding and your patience as we strive to give you excellent year round playing conditions.
The tee shot on the 8th hole just got a little more difficult! Please do not get too close to the river banks. The soil is undermined and it is possible you could find yourself in the river.
I have some good news about the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf which i will share in a detailed post next week. If you are unfamiliar with the core principles and benefits of the program you can read up on old blog posts labeled Audubon. Another option is to reach out to myself, Fran Devlin, or Vince McDermott for more information. As always we are looking for members to get involved to help reach our yearly goals.
Lastly with the warmer weather approaching you may have questions about your home lawn. Im happy to field questions and give you some basic advice to get your home lawn in great shape. Please feel free to email litchfieldcc1892@gmail or call and leave a message. I also make home visits as a professional courtesy.
Im looking forward to warmer weather and spring golf! See you out in the fairways!
One of the answers is frost. Until the frost is gone and the soils are settled it would be detrimental to allow play. The playing surfaces would get lumpy and bumpy and require more time and labor to smooth out the surfaces. Presently the frost heaves are slowly disappearing and i expect with a few more warm days they should be gone.
Another deciding factor is that the turfgrass is still dormant. In a "normal" spring the turfgrass at our course is just coming out of dormancy the week of the Masters. This also coincides with the frost leaving the ground and we have the property relatively cleaned up and presentable. Mother nature and our staff are right on schedule this year and i hope to open the course next week for walkers.
The LHS golf team came out one afternoon to pick up sticks and fix bunker washouts. They did a tremendous job! Thank you and good luck to Coach Gollow and the LHS golf team!
Yesterday the greens were mowed and then rolled with our 1/4 ton "brutus" roller. This really helps smooth out the frost heaves and firms up the soil. Every spring I focus on plant health and developing deep roots. To encourage deep rooting on the greens they are cut at 3/16th of an inch. Increasing the photosynthetic leaf tissue translates into more energy and deeper roots. The downside to this is that they will putt a little slower than normal. In a few weeks time i will lower the cutting height a 1/16th of an inch. Thanks for understanding and your patience as we strive to give you excellent year round playing conditions.
The tee shot on the 8th hole just got a little more difficult! Please do not get too close to the river banks. The soil is undermined and it is possible you could find yourself in the river.
I have some good news about the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf which i will share in a detailed post next week. If you are unfamiliar with the core principles and benefits of the program you can read up on old blog posts labeled Audubon. Another option is to reach out to myself, Fran Devlin, or Vince McDermott for more information. As always we are looking for members to get involved to help reach our yearly goals.
Lastly with the warmer weather approaching you may have questions about your home lawn. Im happy to field questions and give you some basic advice to get your home lawn in great shape. Please feel free to email litchfieldcc1892@gmail or call and leave a message. I also make home visits as a professional courtesy.
Im looking forward to warmer weather and spring golf! See you out in the fairways!
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