Stanford Golf Course Superintendent's Blog

DRY DRY DRY Winter!

2012-01-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Recent data from the National Weather Service.........

CLIMATE...HERE IS A LOOK AT PRECIPITATION TOTALS FOR VARIOUSLOCATIONS IN OUR AREA. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NORMAL SEASON REFLECTS JULY 1ST THROUGH JUNE 30TH TOTALS..

STATION.......... ...DEC '11.....NORMAL DEC....SEASON TO DATE...NORMAL SEASON
SANTA ROSA..... ..0.09...............5.50...........................4.24...................30.11... KENTFIELD...........0.12........ 9.69...........................6.17...................47.52...
SAN FRANCISCO..0.14...............4.08...........................3.37...................21.21...
SAN JOSE...............0.08...............2.63...........................1.55...................15.83...
SALINAS................0.05...............2.47............................3.63...................14.56...

Compromised Tree Behind #2 Green

2011-12-14T06:34:00.000-08:00

(Click photos to enlarge)

Here are some photos of a Coast Live Oak located behind #2 green. In two separate incidents this year, this tree lost major sections of limbs from similar attachment sites. Now the tree's structure has been severely compromised, making it a hazard to both people and our irrigation controllers. Reluctantly, it has been scheduled to be removed next week........

Climate Change?

2011-09-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

The latest data from the National Weather Service shows how cool the past two summers have been. The Redwood City data is a close approximate of Stanford's climate. 1 represents the coolest ever ranking.

Location/2011 Ave Temp/Rank/2010 Ave Temp/Rank/Years of Recoring
------ ---- ------ ---- --------
MONTEREY 57.4/ 1 / 57.6/ 2 / 62
MOUNT DIABLO JUNCTION 67.1 / 2 / 67.4 / 7 / 58
SALINAS 60.8/ 9 / 60.5 / 6 / 53
OAKLAND 62.9/ 10 / 62.3 / 2 / 41
REDWOOD CITY 66.7/ 13 / 65.8/ 6 / 80
SANTA CRUZ 62.1/ 28 / 62.4 / 34 / 117
SAN JOSE 67.8 / 36 / 67.6 / 33 / 87
SAN FRANCISCO DOWNTOWN 59.7/ 42 / 59.0 / 27 / 137

PG&E Work in Creek at #8 Bridge

2011-09-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

PG&E is set to begin work in the San Francisquito Creek near Hole #8 on Monday 9/12. The work is to determine the integrity of the gas pipeline that runs beneath the creek. They are scheduled to install a coffer dam to divert the creek. Then they will jackhammer and remove the concrete slab in the creek that once covered the gas line.

If the line is sound, they will excavate it and re-coat it, then re-cover the line. The work will be staged along the path between #7 green and #8 tee. The work is expected to last anywhere from one to four weeks.

Why Sometimes Irrigation Comes on Unexpectedly!

2011-09-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Last week we had some sprinklers come on unexpectedly on Hole #11. We had a difficult time understanding why, until we removed the irrigation controller face plate from the satellite. This Alligator lizard found his way into the controller and shorted some of the electronic components. It was probably warm in there, but unfortunately he is no longer with us........

Tree Canopy Raised on Hole #16

2011-08-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

The smaller oak tree left of the driving area on #16 has been raised up. Balls pulled left off the tee could find their way under this tree and into an unplayable position. Now there is at least some way to play out of that position.

Split Oak Right of #6 Fairway

2011-08-17T08:45:00.001-07:00

The big slanting tree in the driving area of #6 lost some large branches last Friday. Unfortunately the main trunk of the tree was damaged badly. The tree is structurally compromised now. My hope is to save the tree for as long as possible using some pruning and lag bolting through the bole.

The tree is a key part of the hole as it is played now, but who knows, actually losing it could make for exciting recovery shots from below the fairway.

(Click photos to enlarge)

New Sand in Bunker #3

2011-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

We've just added some fresh sand to the bunker adjacent to #3 green. The bunker liner was becoming exposed and interfering with play.

Please be aware that a few plugged lies may result in the next few weeks until the new sand settles.

Please Welcome New Employee Bobby Kempainen!

2011-08-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Robert "Bobby" Kempainen as the new Assistant Superintendent in Training at the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. Bobby is a native of Minnesota and comes to us from the University of Wisconsin -Stout. Bobby has worked at Hazletine National GC and for the PGA of America in preparation of the 2009 PGA Championship. I hope you will join me in welcoming Bobby to Stanford!

Losing Big Branches on Oak Trees

2011-07-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

The heat of the summer has finally arrived. It has been a long, wet, and mild winter where our oak trees have put on a lot of new growth. This new growth adds weight to the ends of the limbs especially when the weather heats up. When it is hot, the trees take up a lot of water. This additional weight often causes large limbs to drop from the oaks. We have experienced this on quite a few oaks this year. Below are photos from the large limbs that recently fell from trees along #7 fairway and #9 tee. Unfortunately, the tree alongside #9 tee will have to be removed for safety concerns.

(Click photos to enlarge)

Blue Stakes = Irrigation Valve Markings

2011-05-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

We've started marking our irrigation valves in the native grass areas with blue plastic stakes. We formerly used small irrigation flags but had trouble with the plastic flags detaching. It is important that we mark the valves in the high grass so we can find them when needed. Oftentimes the valves get covered over by gopher mounds or become obscured by the long grass. The blue stakes just signify where there is an irrigation component.

If you happen to need to remove a blue stake to play a golf shot, please replace it. Thanks!!!

Path Replacement at #10 Tee

2011-05-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

(Click photos to enlarge)

The asphalt path from the lower clubhouse parking lot to #10 tee is being replaced this week. The old path had deteriorated and was crumbling following the water line installation/construction over the winter. The new path has 6" of compacted base material and redwood headers. This should be a good path for many years to come.

High Grass!

2011-05-19T09:15:00.000-07:00

The early and abundant rainfall this year has resulted in some extreme growth in our naturalized areas. This photo was shot right of #6. We've worked really hard trying to keep the naturalized areas weed free. Hopefully this will pay dividends in the upcoming years as the soil gets slowly depleted of weed seeds.

Pirate, one of the luckiest dogs anywhere.

Rainbow from Last Weekend

2011-05-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

(Click to Enlarge)

One of the best parts of my job is getting to see the golf course in many different lights. This is a picture from last weekend, shot from #3 tee.

New Benches #8 Tee, #10 Tee

2011-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

We've put some new benches out on the course at #8 and #10 tees. They are constructed with recycled plastic so should last longer, be easier to clean, and not require painting every year.

New Trees Planted on #2

2011-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Seven new coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) were planted last week on #2 near the new water tank. They should grow fairly rapidly to help screen off the SVGTC water tank and pump station.

The USGA on frost issues

2011-03-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a pretty good animated message on frost from the USGA........

Click the link below:

The USGA on frost issues

Bunker Face Reshaping #1

2011-03-08T15:12:00.001-08:00

(Click photos to enlarge)

Bunker Face Reshaping #6

2011-03-03T12:05:00.001-08:00

The old bunker before re-shaping

Ten buggies of sand were removed from the lip, exposing the original contours.

The new, nearly completed, bunker face.

New Old

We are re-shaping the faces of the bunkers with excessive sand buildups. This minor re-shaping is being done to extend the bunker's life. It will also keep the greens from becoming severely sloped on the edges, thereby losing good pin placements. In addition, aesthetics; playability; and ease of maintenance will be vastly improved. Bunkers at #7 green, #1 green, #5 green and #8 green will be done next. The bunkers at #19 will be the last to be done in this project.

Work Starting On Bunker Right of #6 Green

2011-03-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

Here are the "before photos" of the bunker on #6.

This photo shows the preliminary digging used to find the old soil lines of bunker edges. This bunker was last re-built in 1994. In some places, we found sand accumulation reaching two feet above the old grades.

Peeling off the accumulated sand to reveal the original bunker contours.

Shaping of Range Bunker - Finishing Up

2011-03-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

(Click Photos to Enlarge)
Old Varsity bunker photo from 2006

Another photo from 2006

Sand buildup removal and bunker re-shaping 2011

Video of excavator pushing back bunker sand after re-shaping

Work Commencing to Lower Problematic Bunker Lips

2011-02-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

(Click Photos to Enlarge)
Buildup of Sand between old varsity bunker and green.

Using an excavator to lower the bunker lip at the old varsity area.

Sand buildup on green side of bunker due to heavy use

Beginning to scrape off the sand build-up

At this point in the bunker, about two feet of sand has accumulated on top of the old lip. Shown is the old soil level.

Following the work at the range, the work will proceed to greens #6, #7, and #8 where we have similar problems. #19 green will be the last one to be done.

Friday's Images - The Good, Bad, and Ugly!

2011-02-25T15:06:00.000-08:00

(Click Images to Enlarge)
Rainbow over #2 Green

#5 Green

#13 Green

Fallen Coast Live Oak Between #12 and #13

Same tree between #12 & #13. It was weakened as half of the main trunk had split off two years ago. With the open wound, decay was able to attack the heartwood weakening the tree.

Some of the soft, rotten heartwood of the fallen tree. Termites are visible, further breaking down the wood.

Another broken limb from a Coast Live Oak left of #7 tee.

Winds reached 50 mph this morning.

How Bunker Sand Becomes Contaminated

2011-02-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

(Click photos to enlarge)
Washouts like this one from heavy rainfall contribute to bunker sand contamination. Each successive washout carries underlying silts and clays into the sand in the bottom of the bunker. This is a big reason the bottoms of the bunkers tend to firm up. Deep cultivation is often required to improve playability.

Fortunately when doing new bunker construction, there are now many choices available to seal off the underlying soils. Most methods use polymers to lock the soil into an impervious shell, sort of like a swimming pool bottom.

This photo shows the darkening in the bottom of the bunker where the silts and clays have been deposited. Over time, these will inhibit drainage and create puddling from even the slightest rainfall or irrigation event. Unfortunately, the only way to completely correct this contamination is by removal of the sand, sealing the bottom of the bunker, and then adding clean new sand.

Frost Damage on #3

2011-02-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

This photo shows some recent tracking to the right of #3 green. A cart drove over the turf when it was frozen. Luckily the frost wasn't severe and the damage is primarily cosmetic. But it illustrates why we can't allow carts out on frosty mornings.

Drainage Additons on Holes #16 & #17

2011-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

(Clicik Photos to Enlarge)

New French Drains were added recently on #16 & #17. Drains are left open to the surface for maximum effectiveness. The grass will slowly grow over the gravel. I don't like to sod over drains because it adds an layer of soil and organic matter on top of the gravel, slowing the infiltration.

Free relief from French Drains is given in the Rules of Golf. It is nearest point of relief, then drop within one club length, no nearer the hole.

Link To Power Point Presentation on Bunkers

2011-02-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Please check out this Power Point presentation on the challenges facing the maintenance staff with the bunkers on the Stanford Golf Course.

http://www.stanford.edu/~golfsupt/2010-2011%20Bunker%20Issues.pptx

Addition of Tightly Mown Areas Around Greens

2011-01-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

#6
(Click photos to enlarge)

#2

In preparation for the Men's Pac 10's in April, we are in the process of adding some tightly mown areas around the greens. These tightly mown areas are meant to enhance the interest of some pin placements that will be used for the tournament. The areas will look thin and off color for a few weeks while the grass adapts to the lower mowing height. Mowing these areas shorter requires more labor-hours every week, so we may or may not keep them beyond the tournament.

Why I Don't Like Spike Cleaners On The Course

2011-01-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

(Click photos to enlarge)

Spike Cleaners may be effective, but an unsightly mess always follows! I recommend that players simply use a golf tee to clean their shoes while waiting for others to hit.

New Drainage Added At #3 Tee

2011-01-20T10:17:00.001-08:00

New French Drains were added at #3 tee

Tree Removal at #15 Tee

2011-01-19T14:35:00.001-08:00

(Click photos to enlarge)
The tree on the right was removed last Monday. It was very dangerous with very large dead branches and rot in the main bole. Its proximity to the tee made it hazardous. The stump is scheduled to be ground down this coming Monday 1/24/11.

Creek Erosion # 4

2011-01-11T13:20:00.001-08:00

View from Bridge #4 on 1/11/11 (Click Photos to Enlarge)

San Francisquito Creek undercutting part of the creek bank on #4

Not Quite!

2011-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Click photo to enlarge

Please be courteous to your fellow players and do a good job raking the bunkers. The Maintenance Crew only rakes the green-side bunkers Tuesday - Friday in the wintertime.

Banana Slug Bonanza

2010-12-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

The mild damp weather has brought out the Banana Slugs!

I got close to them so you don't have to......

These were taken near the lower cart path at tee #17.

It's Fall!

2010-12-14T09:50:00.001-08:00

#10 Tee Green 12/14/2010 (Click to Enlarge)

Find the cup!

Driving Range Kikuyugrass

2010-12-01T08:53:00.001-08:00

(Click photo to enlarge)

Q: Why is the driving range turf so yellow?

A: Frost and cold temperatures have caused the kikuyugrass to go into dormancy. "Kikuyu" is a warm season grass, best known from its presence at golf courses in Southern California. But it actually grows quite well here. It can be wiry and problematic in rough and around greens, but works well in low maintenance areas like our driving range. Look for a green up of the kikuyu around Feb. - March.

Frosty Fall Images 11-29-2010

2010-11-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

It has been unseasonably cold the last couple weeks, with temperatures down to 29 degrees. Frost delays have been frequent........

#3 (Click photos to enlarge)

#13

Frost Information From the USGA

2010-11-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

With the early and persistent frost this year, here is some helpful information from the USGA Green Section: http://www.stanford.edu/~golfsupt/FROSTINFOfromtheUSGA.doc

Images From Pipeline Work #10 - #12

2010-11-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images of the recent pipeline work by the Stanford University Utility Dept. Preston Pipelines is the subcontractor. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Map of Water Project At # 10 Tee

2010-11-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Here is the link to the map of the water project that is starting at #10 tee this week. The red line shows the proposed route of the water pipeline.

http://www.stanford.edu/~golfsupt/GolfCourseLakewatermainVer2.pdf

Stanford Water Project #10 tee - #12 tee

2010-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

The Stanford Water Department is planning on installing a new water pipeline this week. It will serve the golf course's upper pump station. The work will begin on Tuesday 11-16 at the bottom of the clubhouse parking lot by the pump house. Trenching and pipeline work will go from there across #10 behind the blue tee, along the path between #11 and #9 greens, then over to the area in front of the red tees on #12. They will be connecting the pump station to a newer University Lake Water line that comes from Felt and Searsville lakes. This work should provide the course with a larger and more dependable water service. The current service comes from a hundred year-old pipe which will eventually be abandoned. A map of the work will be posted in the Golf Shop. Some detours around the work may be necessary. Completion is slated for Wed. 11-24.

Spike Cleaners - Ideas Needed

2010-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

I'm getting lots of requests from players to install spike cleaners throughout the course to clean grass from their spikes. I really do not want to do it because it creates a continual unsightly mess of rotting grass, creates a wear pattern back and forth, and is another item for us to trim around. It is becoming difficult to hold my ground because players are claiming it is a safety issue. Does anyone have any suggestions on spike cleaners? I'm trying to find the best way to implement them while addressing the above issues. I've also posted this on the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America web forum.......

Any help would be appreciated!

0.02" Rain Last Night

2010-11-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Monday night's rain totalled .02". That followed 0.42" of rain on Sunday. The course is a little wet, but there are no cart restrictions at this time...........The upcoming week looks to be clear with seasonal temperatures........

Deer Casualty on #9

2010-11-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

With regret, we found a dead deer on #9 fairway this morning that had been hit by a car on Junipero Serra overnight. It was such a beautiful animal, I thought I would share a photo. But it should also be a reminder to use extra caution driving on JSB from dusk to dawn.

Work at #2 Tee

2010-10-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Click photos to enlarge.....

We are installing the water service to the new tank at #2 tee. The red tees are temporarily closed and traffic is being detoured around the work. Please excuse the inconvenience!

BTW, we received 0.36" of rain last week. They are predicting the first frost of the season for tomorrow, Wed. 10/27 and more rainfall later in the week.........

First Rainfall of the Season

2010-10-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

Nice to see some rain finally fall on the golf course. Although it wasn't much, 0.02", it did allow us to turn off the entire irrigation system for at least two nights!

Now On Twitter!

2010-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've just set up a Twitter account. You can follow my posts about the course at http://www.twitter.com/SUGolfCourseSup

SVGTC Water Tank Progress

2010-10-01T06:59:00.001-07:00

Construction of the water tank on hole #2 is substantially completed. Work that remains is connecting it to the water source (non-potable University Lake Water) and installing the electrical service for the pump station. The water service connection will impact Fremont Rd. and the red tees on #2 in the next two weeks. The timetable for the electrical connection is unknown, and dependent on PG&E. Our hope is that everything will be completed by mid-November.

This water tank is required to remove the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex (SVGTC) from the golf course's irrigation system. The course's irrigation system was never designed with enough capacity to handle an additional 30 acres of irrigated turfgrass. It is an extremely complicated juggling act to irrigate both properties in the current configuration. When it gets hot, daytime watering must be done which hampers golf players and is inefficient due to wind and evaporation. The tank will allow us to take water during the daytime hours from the Lake Water pipeline (at a low time of use.) We will then fill the tank during the day, and pump from it at night on a completely separate system from the golf course. Since the SVGTC is built on a six-inch sand cap soil material, this will allow us to irrigate lighter and more frequently, reducing the loss of water out of the bottom of the rootzone.

Below are some photos taken during construction of the tank (Click to Enlarge) :

Tee Aerification Underway

2010-09-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Tees before scraping - click to enlarge

This is the time of year when we do our fall preparation work on the golf course tees. We did a vertical mowing (verticut) on the tees last week. This helps reduce the thatch and minimize the lateral growth (runners.) We are aerating (plugging/punching) the tees this week . This helps reduce the thatch (sponginess.) We will follow the aeration with an overseeding with perennial rye grass and a shot of fertilizer. By mid-October, the tees should be looking really good and fully recovered from the work. Please excuse any inconvenience during the next few days!

Course Conditions, How to Fix a Ball Mark

2010-09-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

The golf course is responding to the fertilizer that was applied last week. The turf is very green and lush with growth. This growth is necessary to provide a good playing surface going into winter. But the rapid growth is making the rough very difficult to play from, especially in the mornings. Mowing is taking place but the clippings are not dispersing well. Clippings are sticking to shoes and cart tires, often falling off on the putting surfaces and cart paths. Extra effort is being made to clean up the mess using blowers. We are trying to get around to clean things up, but it is impossible to follow every group. Please excuse the mess for the next week or so........

Here is a link on how to properly fix a ball mark using the Green-Save tools we provide:

http://www.greensave.com/How%20To%20Repair%20Graphic.pdf

Check Out This Hail Damage in Wichita, KS!

2010-09-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this damage from baseball sized hail hitting the Auburn Hills GC in Wichita, KS!

Maybe the ball marks at Stanford are not too bad after all.........

Here is a link to the video:

http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/gci-video-whichita-course-hail-damage.aspx?List_id=29&email=kkwilliams%40stanford.edu&key=

Memorial for Jason Oliver 1985-2010

2010-09-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Jason Oliver 1985-2010

Please join us for a celebration of Jason's life on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 3:30pm at the Siebel Practice Facility. His remembrance celebration will be lead by Reverend Scotty McLennan, Dean of Religious Life.

Jason David Oliver, a resident of Palo Alto, California, died on August 20, 2010 in Palo Alto. He was 25 years of age. Jason was born on July 16, 1985 in Portland, Oregon and was the son of Bob and Linda Oliver. He was raised and educated in Portland and graduated from David Douglas High School in 2003. He went on to graduate from Oregon State University in 2007. Jason resided in Palo Alto, California where he worked as the Assistant Superintendant for Stanford University Golf Course. Jason is survived by his parents, Bob and Linda Oliver of Portland, brothers, Ryan and Christopher Oliver, as well as his fiancé, Lindsay Frankfurt.
Here is a link to Jason’s memorial:
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Jason-Oliver&lc=7392&mid=4367169

What Others Are Saying About Jason Oliver

2010-08-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

From Northern CA Golf Course Superintendents Assn. President Thomas Bastis, CGCS:

On behalf of the GCSANC board of directors it is with a deep and profound sense of loss, I must inform you of the sudden death of Jason Oliver, Director GCSANC, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Stanford University Golf Course. Nothing is quite as painful or tragic as the premature death of a young, vibrant man with such a promising future.

In addition to his responsibilities as a dedicated assistant superintendent at Stanford University Golf Course and its golf-training complex, Jason was an ardent supporter of the profession serving on the GCSANC board of directors as the association’s assistant representative. He liked being involved and was an exceptional advocate for fellow assistants.

During his recent board tenure, Jason devoted his talent and eagerness to any task he undertook for the association. He directed the reshaping and updating of the web site. His latest task, the addition of member oriented “swap, trade and sell craigslist concept" will be opened in the future for membership use.

Remember this young man each time you visit this site, I know we shall.

Jason we love you and we will miss you greatly. Find peace with your Lord.

Thomas Bastis, CGCS

From David Phipps, CGCS, Stone Creek GC and an early mentor of Jason:

http://stonecreeksuper.blogspot.com/2010/08/remembering-jason-oliver.html

The Passing Of Jason Oliver

2010-08-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

It pains me to report the sudden and unexpected passing of Jason Oliver, Assistant Superintendent at the Stanford GC. Jason was 26 years old. He was charged with overseeing the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. Jason was a dedicated employee with an incredible passion for the golf industry. He had enormous potential and often stated his goal of someday being President of the Golf Course Superintendents of America. We will miss Jason and hope he is somehow in a better place.

Ball Marks Are Avoidable - But it Takes Some Effort!

2010-08-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

(Click to Enlarge Photo)

One difficulty with bent grass greens are their susceptibility to ball marks. It takes three to four weeks to heal an improperly repaired ball mark. If just ten people per day don't repair their marks correctly, that is 70 bad ball marks/week or 210-280 total per green. Hopefully you can see the importance of repairing every single ball mark, every single day!

It is very important that the ball mark is repaired correctly. When repairing a ball mark, think like a gardener, not a golfer. Take your time and do a good job gently kneading the turf back together. The repair, when done correctly, should look like no damage ever occurred there. There should be no brown showing and the repair should be tapped flat. This will allow the damage to heal in a day or so - as opposed to weeks.

If we could all do a better job with our ball marks, the greens would play much better for all involved!

Green Speeds

2010-08-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the slow greens speeds this time of year. Hopefully my explanation below will give you a better understanding of what is happening on our golf course. Although many courses around the country are suffering from extreme heat, we have actually enjoyed a cooler than normal summer here in the Bay Area.

Our green speeds are slow due to the extra fertilizer we apply to the greens in mid-summer. I have a different program than most courses because we are trying to keep the favored bentgrass as the dominant turf type in the greens, instead of the dreaded Poa annua. In California, it is very difficult getting bentgrass to out-compete the Poa annua. Since this is the only period in the year when the bent is growing and the Poa gets stressed out, I hit the greens with a lot of fertilizer to help the bentgrass push out any stressing Poa. So the greens are slow due to the aggressive growth of the bentgrass I’m shooting for. And though this is great for the greens in the big picture, I realize it is sort of annoying to the day-to-day player. I promise we will be back to better green speeds in the next couple weeks as the fertilizer fades.

Fortunately, people start their vacations and the golf course play goes down a bit in August. So it does give me a chance to feed and promote the bentgrass. Not only is the bent a far better putting surface, it thrives in our summer heat. Best of all, it uses far less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than Poa annua. And we’ve been able to maintain the bentgrass without core aeration, which is a regular disruption on most Poa courses.

Work Finally Begins on SVGTC Tank & Pump Station

2010-07-23T10:52:00.001-07:00

Permits have finally been secured for the SVGTC water tank and pump station. Site clearing work has commenced along hole # 2. A 300,000 gallon water water tank and VFD pumping station will be installed. This project will finally give the SVGTC an independent irrigation supply. It is currently irrigated using an undersized supply from the golf course, causing numerous issues including daytime watering.

Hooray, The New GM Has Started!

2010-07-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

I'm really glad to see that Shannon Sweeney Donlon has started as the new GM. Although things have run relatively well in the interim period, we have missed having a true advocate for the golf course and its constituents. Shannon will be an important part of the Golf Advisory Committee and have a direct link to senior management of the Athletic Department.

I think everyone will enjoy her personality and her "open door" attitude. Hopefully you will get a chance to say hello to her in the upcoming weeks!

Aging Oak Tree - #15 Tee

2010-07-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Decaying Coast Live Oak - #15 Blue Tee (click to enlarge photo)

There are numerous oak trees around the course that are finally reaching the end of their living life. Some trees last longer than others. The long-lived trees usually have better locations, soil conditions, micro-climates, branch structure, and pest resistance. The shorter-lived trees usually have some stress from irrigation, paving, compaction, golf impacts, wounds and natural decay.

The tree above has reached as stage where its removal is eminent. It has dead and decaying branches which could be hazardous to people using the course. The tree probably grew naturally in this rocky location, but was impacted later by a cart path, a heavily irrigated tee, and numerous tee shots striking it. The bark has decayed severely and the heartwood is no longer protected. Rot of the internal hardwood will now progress and the probability of the tree falling is increasing. Unfortunately, this tree is slated for removal due to its location. If it was located out in the tall grass away from players, it would probably be left alone for nature to take its course.

Fairy Rings

2010-07-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Fairy Ring on #6 Fairway - click to enlarge

Some people have asked me about the dark green rings seen on some of the greens this time of year. The circular pattern is caused by the Basidiomycete group of fungi that inhabit the soil. These fungi digest organic matter in the soil left behind by the turfgrass. As the fungi breaks down the organic matter, nitrogen is released. This nitrogen is taken up by the turf and results in a green up in the areas where the fungi are working. The pattern starts small and may grow to many yards across. I choose not to apply fungicides for this issue, since this pattern is primarily cosmetic. On occassion, severe drought can occur in the rings or the fruiting bodies of the fungus (mushrooms) pop up. It is a natural process and the turf normally recovers well in the middle of the rings.

Clubhouse Roof Repairs

2010-07-07T07:35:00.001-07:00

Repairs are being made this week to the Clubhouse Roof. Leaks had developed around the ventilators and roof tiles were damaged by the fallen oak tree. Fortunately, the original roof construction was done with redwood, so most of the structural components were in excellent shape. Repairs will be completed today, Wednesday 7/7/10.

A Lucky Dog's Life

2010-06-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ken's dog Pirate has quite the life!

#14 Green Before USGA Jr. Qualifier

2010-06-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Oak Tree Limbs Fall on Clubhouse

2010-06-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2010

Last week a large Coast Live Oak broke apart and fell on the Clubhouse roof. The tree was damaged in a way that it had to be removed. Many roof tiles were broken. The roof is scheduled to be repaired on July 5th and 6th. The Grill will be closed on those days, but the Halfway House at #10 tee will remain open.

Photos From The Last Week

2010-06-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

June 7, 2010

Please click on the photos to enlarge.......

Coast Live Oak - #2

Four Point Buck on #5 - Monday 6-7-10

Robin & Stellars Jay #13

Morning Sun -Fescue Grass #3

Divot Mix Tubes Have Arrived

2010-05-30T11:46:00.001-07:00

May 30, 2010

For those of you who walk the golf course and would like to fill divots, we now have small refillable tubes for sand & seed mix. The plastic tubes have a clip that attaches to your bag and are available free of charge in the Golf Shop.

Notes: The tubes can be refilled at the boxes at #8 tee and at #14 tee. Empty containers can be returned to a storage box in the golf cart area after the round.

Birds Seen Yesterday

2010-05-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2010

These baby Killdeers just hatched from a nest behind #1 green. The nest was on the ground in the bark chips. Last week I saw four well-camouflaged eggs. And yesterday I saw all four chicks, so all the youngsters made it! Photos were taken in front of the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex.

A duck swims lazily in the ditch on hole #6. Water from the San Francisquito Creek is being pumped into this ditch at hole #9. The water then flows to Lake Lagunita to provide breeding habitat for the threatened Tiger Salamander.

Spring Observations

2010-05-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

May 26, 2010

We received 0.08" of rain over the last 24 hours which is very welcome at this time of year. The trees are showing incredible growth. Here are a couple of young Italian Stone Pines (Pinus pinea) on hole #4. If you look closely, you can see over one foot of lighter green new growth.

This is the time of year when most Poa annua is visible in the greens. This year has favored the Poa more than usual due to the cool, wet spring. Fortunately, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend looks to finally be warm and sunny. This will definitely help the favored bentgrass in the greens!

One of my continual concerns is poorly repaired ball marks. Poorly repaired ball marks are not only bad to putt over, but they provide a site where Poa annua can invade. This is an example of a poorly repaired ball mark on #4 green. This is not how a repaired mark should look. It is raised up and has dirt showing. A properly repaired mark will have the turf pushed neatly back together without any dirt showing.

Birds around the course have nested and the young are fledging. If you get a chance, walk by the bird box behind #2 green and have a listen. The youngsters are chirping like crazy!

Stellar's Jays seem to be becoming more numerous near the creek on holes #3 and #8. Here is one on bridge #3.

2010-05-21 Cart Path Repair #15

2010-05-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we replaced a section of broken cart path near #15 green. The newer paths on the course are 4" of non-reinforced concrete. The path was broken during maintenance on the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct line last fall. The repair took one cubic yard of concrete to complete.

2010-05-19

2010-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

May 19, 2010

We received 0.33" of rain yesterday. It was a good shot, but not enough to restrict golf carts.

Rain at this time of year is a blessing, as it saves us from applying irrigation water. This results in a budget savings of about $1,500 per night! For the season, we are up to 22.22" of rainfall, about 6" more than normal.

The downside is that the native areas that border the fairways continue to grow. In some places the grasses are five feet tall! And unfortunately, the weeds like thistle and mustard in those areas continue to germinate and grow. Normally those areas are browning out rapidly by now. Expect to see new generations of burrowing animals move from the native areas into the golf course as things dry out in the coming weeks.

Spring growth spurt begins as does topdressing program

2010-05-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

As I write this, the golf course is just beginning its spring growth spurt.
Due to this year's cold and wet winter, we are about a month behind where we
normally would be. We've made our first fertilizer application between the
Men's and Women's collegiate events and the rough is showing its "teeth!"

We've also begun our bi-weekly Monday topdressing program, now that the
greens are growing. The light sand topdressing allows us to keep the greens
relatively firm without the unwelcome core aeration process. Without the
sand topdressing, the greens would become puffy, scalp easily and the
drainage would become compromised.

Play is definitely picking up, so we especially need your help with ball
marks. When done properly, a repaired ball mark should be started at the
tuft in the back, tapped flat, and have no brown showing. Practice it and
see how good you can get at it! Thanks as always!

Ken Williams