Foliar Feeding

Fertilization is a key component in a golf courses schedule, budget and general health.  With turf being mowed at decimals of an inch, proper soil and plant fertility is extremely important.  You all have probably noticed spray rigs present on the course frequently.  We promise it is not an effort to annoy the golfer but to maintain quality turf with minimal impact on the environment.

Our spray rigs are out so often because, like most golf courses, MCC utilizes spoon feeding (or foliar feeding) management practices.  This implies a light amount of fertilizer applied with a low volume of water that is readily absorbed through the blades or leaves of  the turf plant.  Because the application is light, it has to be repeated frequently (usually every 2 weeks).  With this low level of fertilizer we gain more control over the growth of the plant, which is especially important on greens because of the low mowing height.  Granular (or solid) products do not offer this control because there are so many variables that effect the release of their fertilizer (saturation, distribution, chemical properties).  Spoon feeding products have to be applied more often than granular, but they are cheaper as well. 
How does spoon feeding lessen the impact on the environment?  With less chemicals being applied, the chance of them leaching down to the water table is decreased.  This is particularly important with phosphorous applications because of the dangers involved with this element and groundwater contamination. 

As a side note, golfers and members are sometimes concerned with coming into contact the chemicals we are applying.  The majority of these chemicals are not hazardous to mammals and are not present on the surface for very long.  Golfers would be notified if that is not the case.  We do not recommend eating off the turf but walking through and playing recently sprayed areas is safe.     

Course Detailing

New mulch beds around tree's damaged by herbicide have required the majority of the crews efforts over the past month but with those completed, the existing beds now become the focus.  Neatly edged mulch beds speak for themselves from an aesthetics standpoint and the crew hopes to finish the daunting task over the next few weeks.   

Mulch and pine needle beds serve other purposes besides aesthetics as well.  Exposed soil eventually will turn into a plot of weeds so mulch and pine needles act as a deterrent in that effect.  They also protect tree trunks and limbs from mechanical damage, mowing units do not have to get as close.  Damaging bark at the base of a tree is a sure way of shortening that trees life expectancy.  Finally, double shredded hardwood mulch (the mulch utilized by MCC) decomposes over time, adding organic matter to the soil where the majority of the tree roots are located.  Organic matter will retain water and nutrients in the root zone for longer periods of time. 

600 yards of double shredded mulch will be applied to a numerous amount of beds throughout the course.  Along with 2000 bales of pine straw, the course will really shine on completion of this project.  We hope the members will avoid driving through the mulch beds and enjoy the views. 

 

 

Ball Mark Repair

A superintendents main focus is the greens on the course.  Most of the daily routines are directed towards keeping greens healthy and playable.  However, the golf course crew can only do so much before green repair falls into the golfers hands.  A dedication to ball mark repair by the membership is very helpful and appreciated by any maintenance staff. 

The Brook has just ordered new ball mark repair tools that we hope the members will all use.  The new tool has a different design than traditional models and should be less damaging to the turf.  The traditional tools required a twisting, jabbing motion that severs roots and shoots alike.  The new GreenFix repair tool involves only a light push around the edge of the ball mark and a soft pat-down with the putter.  With the use of the GreenFix tool we expect to see a shortened recovery time for ball marks. 

The GreenFix tools will be distributed this Saturday, June 25th during the Member-Member Tournament.  For a detailed, instructional video please check out the link below.  Enjoy and thanks. 

GreenFix Ball Mark Repair Tool Instructional Video

PONDering Aquatics

Bodies of water are common on golf courses and in numerous landscape developments.  They demand strategic play on the course and are appeasing to the eye in a landscape setting.  However, our ponds and lakes are fragile ecosystems and can easily become a problem if not monitored and managed properly. 

We have placed fountains and air bubblers in the ponds on 1 and 4.  These fixtures are not only pleasant to look at but provide an important function. Disrupting the surface tension of the water is essential in algae control.  Algae blooms can quickly cover a standing or stagnant body of water.  This especially holds true around golf courses, where larger than usual amounts of phosphorous are being applied.  Phosphorous is the limiting element in aquatic settings, and when in large quantities can lead to rapid algae blooms.  The spray technicians at MCC take special care when applying fertilizer around our ponds and brook. 

To control weed populations, golf courses use dyes.  These dyes (usually blue or black) limit the amount of sunlight that aquatic plants receive.  High populations of weeds and algae can lead to fish kill and sediment build-up at the bottom of ponds (from increased organic matter decomposition).  This build-up can eventually lead to shallower, less appealing bodies of water. 

 

Here at MCC, we take a keen environmental interest in our ponds and water features.  Not only do we want them to be viewed as a benefit to the landscape, but also as healthy, life-supporting systems.

A bit of MCC history

Chick was one of America's golfing greats. He won amateur and professional, national and international championships.  Chick was the 39th golfer elected to the PGA Hall of Fame. We are Honored that Chick served as the Golf Professional  at Meadowbrook Country Club from 1946 - 1960.

 

1935 - The youngest player at age 20 to compete in the U.S. Open

1937 - Won the Michigan Open at Arbor Hills

1939 - Invited to play at the Masters in Augusta GA, as an amateur

1941 - First PGA Tour Victory, Texas Open, which he won in a playoff against Ben Hogan

1942 - Enlisted in the Army-Air Corps. Reserve, was seriously injured in 1945, and discharged in 1946

1946 - Became the Golf Professional at Meadowbrook Country Club

1947 - Made it to the finals of the PGA Championship at Plum Hollow

1949 - Was a member of the US Ryder Cup Team in Scarborough England, his 4-3 victory over opponent Sam King, ensured the Team a victory, which was captained by Ben Hogan

1952 - Made it to the finals of the PGA Championship in Big Spring at Louisville, KY

1954 - Won the PGA Championship at Keller Golf Club in St. Paul Minnesota, against fellow Detroit area Golf Pro, Walter Burkemo

1955 - Named Captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, he won his only match and led the U.S. to an 8-4 victory at the Thunderbird Golf and Country Club in Palm Springs, CA

In later years Harbert continued to win tournaments, including a wide variety of International Events. Particularly active in advancing the game in the Caribbean and Central American countries. Moreover, Harbert was also known for being the longest hitter of his time; having won 42 official long drive contests. In a contest held in Havana Cuba in 1950, his winning drive measured out at 358 yards!

 

 

The Chick Harbert Tournament

Saturday, June 11th / Tee Times 

at Meadowbrook Country Club

The Art of Syringing Greens

Syringing is a practice used by all golf courses in the heat of summer.  When temperatures spike above 80 degrees, all cool-season turfgrasses (i.e. annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass) are in danger of heat stress.  The turf will wilt and if temperatures stay hot enough, it will eventually die.  Superintendents have few weapons against heat but the most effective is syringing.

Greens are the most susceptible to high temperatures because of the low mowing height.  With so little biomass the plant cannot sustain the heavy injury that turf at higher mowing heights can withstand.  Also, with the reduced canopy, the soil is more exposed to the atmosphere and can heat up and dry out quicker (putting roots in danger as well).  High temperatures can damage many important tissues and functions within the turf.  The plant has natural defenses towards these events but a green is an unnatural setting.  At this point the maintenance crew has to step in. 

Syringing implies a light application of water to the green surface in its entirety.  It is not an adequate amount of H2O to sustain plant life, but more of an effort to reduce soil and plant tissue temperatures.  Timing is a key factor in deciding when to syringe.   At points during the day when temperatures rise is often when the golfer will see the crew syringing (late morning and mid-afternoon).  This simple yet important process has saved, and will save, numerous greens.  We apologize for the inconvenience it may cause, but know that we would not do it if it were not important. 

Click here for an in-depth USGA Green Section Article regarding handwatering.

ET

ET. ( EVAPO-TRANSPIRATION ) is the measurement of the combined loss of water by evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the plant.  The weather station which is linked to the irrigation software gives us this information .  In the past two months there has been no reason to look at this measurement due to all the rain.  The saturated soil that we have experienced deprives the roots of oxygen and without oxygen the roots decline.  With a shallow root zone and the weather pattern changing to a high pressure system, golf course superintendents will be keeping a close eye on ET and irrigation systems will be used sooner and more frequently than previously thought.
Watering golf course turf is much more difficult than watering your home lawn.  Golfers like a firmer surface for shot-making and further ball roll. Superintendents compensate for this by applying just enough water to keep the turf alive one day at a time.  There is an art to irrigating the golf course but ET measurements have put an exact science to work in respects to course conditions and playability.



Weather Station at MCC - Reports ET



GOLF CARTS

This is the weather we have been waiting for, sunshine and lower humidity.  We are allowing golf carts today, Wednesday June 1^st but we need your help.  The golf course has several wet areas so please follow the painted white line, obey green and white stakes around green complexes and stay on the cart paths on par three’s.  You can make a difference keeping damaged areas to a minimum.

The green staff has been working very hard to get the golf course back in playable shape.  Extra hours have been spent on getting the course mowed, especially rough and fairways. Please be patient and we will have the course looking good by the weekend.