Finally some rain!!

The weather has pushed the turf very hard this season.   Like I said in a previous update it is certainly no time to be a hero and push the turf over the edge.  That being said, I am very please with the condition of the golf course and am proud of the way it has held up so far this summer. 

Finally with some much needed rain it gave us an opportunity to open up some of the playing surfaces.  This lets much needed oxygen and water down into the root zone of the turf. 

Greens were pencil tined

Another Top Dressing of Sand was applied

Tees and Approaches were sliced with this unit

Fairways were sliced with a more aggressive unit

The Fairways needed to be rolled afterwards.

So all and all it was another busy week here at the Parkway.  Hopefully with this extra work, rains and the weather predicted to be nice for the remainder of the week the turf will regenerate enough to get through the rest of the summer.

As always if you have any questions or concerns feel free to e-mail me at kendalllindsay@hotmail.com

Cheers Kendall



Surviving the heat!

Last week was one of the hottest in memory for me.  I don’t ever remember it being this hot, for this long, this early in the year.  Last year, there was a stretch of 21 days where the weather was similar.  But, that started on July 20^th.  We are now wrapping up our 3^rd major heat wave of the summer on July 8^th.  Most of the turf has survived quite nicely.  Dollar spot is showing it’s ugliness on the fairways and tees.  Greens, tees and fairways were sprayed last week.    



This is where we missed applying fungicide to an area. 



Pythium showed itself early in the week on 15 and 16 fairways.  When we see this we stake off the area, to avoid traffic through the area and the chance of spreading the disease.   When the night time temperatures are as high as they were last week, Ruth and I spend the morning looking at the turf and searching for any signs of disease.

Staking of area infected with Pyhtium

Even though the afternoon rains caused for the outbreak of the diseases, last week.  The rains did wonders for greening the playing areas up.  It just shows you how much more a rainfall can do in a short period of time, compared to the irrigation system.          

Cheers Kendall

Dog Days Are Here!



Last week was the beginning of summer.  We have been hot and dry ever since.  The Irrigation system has been and will be working a lot of overtime.  With the heat you will see a lot less work going on in the afternoon.  Staff will be in early and out early as well.  The rough has slowed right down and turned a nice brown colour.

It is official the Dog Days of Summer are here!

Canada day for me was spent babysitting the turf.  But, the last two nights the temperature has dropped low enough for us to water at night.  This has allowed us to catch up nicely, getting some much needed moisture back into the soil.  With the upcoming heat you will start to see a lot of morning watering, with the sprinkler heads and you will also see a lot of hoses being dragged around the property putting down a little extra water for the areas that need it.  The tees are certainly showing stress right now.  They will be receiving extra attention this week. 

Number one green has showed signs of stress for a while now so for the last five days we have been walk mowing it, along with the putting green and fourteen green as well.  Pins will be moved daily to keep the foot traffic spread out.  There will be days where the greens will not be cut and just rolled.  With the heat it is unfortunate that the greens will slow down.  Firm and fast greens are great, but now is not the time to be a hero.  The turf needs to be watched very carefully to get it through to Labour day weekend alive, and if you haven’t noticed that is a ways away.    

Last week we held the Pink Flamingo Tournament.  It was a great event for the golf course.  It was a lot of fun preparing the golf course for this event.  I appreciate the members patience in allowing us the time to make the golf course as good as it could be.          

These boys helped with the Flamingo raft!



It is not everyday that you have a Hot air baloon on your golf course!

Until next time, stay cool and shaded

Cheers Kendall