Yesterday was a great day on the golf course for the staff to get caught up on lots of small projects and processes. We applied preventive fungicides to the fairways. We aerated several low spots on the greens to help them prepare for the upcoming heat. We cut down some aggressive reed by the 4th red tee box, that were blocking views. We fixed several broke irrigation sprinklers. We redistributed the sand at the chipping area. And finally, we mowed all the grass that we could not get to last week during the heavy rain. 

The past two weeks have brought us some of the best conditions of the season so far. Unfortunately, there is significant rainfall in the projected forecast. The greens core aeration is being modified to a solid tine and a verticut because of inclement weather. This shift in agronomic strategies should net a similar plant health response for the upcoming dog days of summer. Working around the heavy rains may delay our completion of these processes, but I am confident that the greens will be rolling true by the weekend.
 
On the course, the dry weather has allowed us to get caught up on most of our mowing and the rough finally seems under control. With the irrigation pond lowered, we plan on using this week to fix some of the rock walls that have fallen in, specifically 14 and 17.
 
At the clubhouse, improving first impressions for our members and guests will continue with the addition of more perennial flowers, plus some haircuts for the bushes and shrubs before the summer heat sets in.

Today, we aerated a section of the fifth green. This was done to alleviate the black layer that was developing in the low spot. Black layer is an anaerobic soil condition cause by excessive moisture. All of the spring rain allowed this condition to begin. The aeration performed today allowed gas exchange and will quickly improve the area. Unfortunately, this section of 5 is prone to collecting water, so please bear with us as this will be a common occurrence if the wet weather continues.