Synthetic Gypsum Application

This past week, MCC applied gypsum (CaSO4/2H20) to its fairways, aprons and problematic areas of the intermediate rough.  Gypsum is applied to alleviate the effect that sodium bicarbonates (NaHCO3) have on soil structure.  In high enough concentrations these bicarbonates will "crust over" the soil, significantly limiting water infiltration and root penetration.  Sodic soils are uncommon in Michigan but MCC's irrigation source does have a high level of sodium bicarbonates, and when the irrigation system is used extensively (as it was in the summer of 2012) negative effects on the soil are noticeable.

Specifically in MCC's soils; The Ca is replacing Na (sodium) bonded to clay particles, alleviating poor soil structure.  Also of note, elemental hydrogen is a product of this reaction.  Gypsum is not a liming agent and will not raise pH. 

Synthetic gypsum is a bi-product of pollution control methods utilized at some coal burning power plants.  In an effort to reduce sulfur dioxide entering the atmosphere (a constituent in acid rains), the flue gasses are passed through a slurry of hydrated lime and calcium sulfite is formed.  The CaS03 is than oxidized resulting in CaSO4 (gypsum) and washed with water to filter out contaminants such as Boron and Mercury.  The end product is a fine textured, cheap, relatively pure source of gypsum. 

What advantage does this new synthetic gypsum have over the original mined sources?  A common complaint by turf professionals is that the mined gypsum variation in particle size makes applications difficult. Large particles could not pass through the feeder holes in fertilizer spreaders.  Synthetic gypsum does not have this drawback and applies especially well when a Ty-Crop or Turfco Topdresser are utilized. 
Another point in synthetic gypsum's favor is its small percentage of insoluble residue, less than 1%.  Regular applications of gypsum have a large percentage of insoluble residue (up to 19%) and take a relatively long time to work its way into the soil even with irrigation and rain events.  The residue left behind can become quite messy and is smeared and picked up by reels, carts and even walking golfers.  The synthetic gypsum recently applied by MCC (3 days prior to the publication of this article) has almost all been washed into the soil profile, a huge improvement over the couple of weeks necessary to incorporate mined gypsum into the soil.  Purity is another issue, with mined gypsum having the potential to host a variety of different elements as opposed to the minute percentage of impurities found in synthetic gypsum. 

Even distribution during application

Synthetic gypsum is still a relatively new product, not utilized by many major golf courses and therefore research based comparison is not as available.  However, due to its physical properties and low cost (relative to mined gypsum) there will be a higher demand and therefore more researched performed on the substance.  Empirical evidence will soon follow, and we will keep our readers posted on the subject.  Enjoy.   

Course Update; The Close of the 2012 Golf Season

With temperatures dropping, snow flying and the Lions falling into mediocrity it can only mean one thing...the end of the 2012 golf season at Meadowbrook Country Club.  The crew is glad to see the season go, it being one of the hottest and driest in recent memory.  The fall of 2012 however, was excellent for turf recovery with plentiful sunlight and the golf course is entering winter in good agronomic health.  There are many tasks that MCC's staff has to perform before the true start of winter along with specialty projects, all of which are detailed below.  

1. Snow Mold Applications: There are two main types of fungal diseases that present a threat over the winter, Pink and Grey Snow Mold.  Pink is the most common with symptoms appearing even in the spring in fall with wet conditions.  MCC treats greens, tees, fairways and green complexes for snow mold prevention.
2.  Dormant Fertilizer Application: A late fall fertilization of the fairways, rough and tees took place on the 19th of Novemeber.  A readily available source of nitrogen was utilized to ensure uptake before the plants go dormant.  Most of the benefits of this application will be seen in the spring, in terms of an earlier green-up, increased turf density and resistance to spring fungal diseases.  The process is contracted out to a company that can complete the entire task in 4 hours, a vast improvement on the 2-3 days required by fertilizing in-house.
3. Green Complex Sodding: Last fall, eight complexes were re-sodded and another six have been completed this fall.  This projects purpose is to eliminate the large amounts of annual bluegrass and bentgrass in the green surrounds, grasses that when mowed at a higher height of cut do not allow for consistent or fair lies.  There has been a overwhelming positive response to the newly sodded green complexes and it is the hope of the crew to not only complete the remaining greens, but eventually re-sod the intermediate and fairway bunker complexes, resulting not only in consistent playability but in defined, stylish aesthetics on each hole.  
4. Green Topdressing and Aerification: At the close of each season, MCC applies a heavy layer of topdressing sand to each green (over 2.5 yards of sand/green).  After, the greens are aerified at the smallest spacing available resulting in the largest percentage of surface area effected.  While seemingly counterintuitive to stress the greens so late in the season, it actually provides protection from winter damage, deters crown hydration and negates the need to aerify greens again in the spring.  The majority of the heavy topdressing is worked into the greens in the spring, further improving surface drainage and firmness throughout the golfing season.  
5. Green Covers:  Despite the heavy topdressing application, some greens due to specific environmental conditions (northern wind exposure and snow build-up) need further protection.  Seven of MCC's greens are covered with large strips of bubble wrap (to allow air flow and resist the build up of toxic gases) and massive tarps to repel water and snow from the vulnerable plant crowns.  This is a labor intensive process but it beats the alternative of covering the greens with bales upon bales of hay. 
6. Pumphouse Maintenance: Two of the pumps that feed the irrigation system have been pulled from the pumphouse for maintenance.  These pumps are over 12 feet long and extremely heavy, making a crane necessary to remove them from the pumphouse.  Further information on this subject is forthcoming in a future article, once diagnostics and repairs have been completed.
7. Tree-Care: The chemical Imprelis did extensive damage to a significant number of evergreens around the course.  Some of the trees are too injured to recover and are marked for removal, which will be an ongoing process over the winter.  Other trees are in desperate need of pruning, not just for architectural aesthetics, but to prevent safety issues and improve tree health.     

The crew hopes that members enjoyed the 2012 season, which was an excellent year for golf.  Articles will still be posted throughout the winter months so we hope our reader stays tuned.  Enjoy. 

Deep Tining

Aerification is a general term used by turf professionals in reference to any cultural practice that punches holes in a stand of turf.  There are various types of aerification (coring, solid tining, needle tining etc.) but the specific type utilized recently on MCC's greens is deep tining.  Most aerification events only effect the top 3 inches of the rootzone.  These practices would be sufficient on USGA spec'ed green, were the sand-based layer is over a foot deep.  At old courses, before the USGA specifications were in existence, it is beneficial to use an aerifier that can penetrate deeper into the soil and open up channels into the subgrade (the native soil layer beneath the desired sand-based layer).  These channels, usually 6-8 inches in depth, will move water away from the surface of the green, keeping the surface firm after heavy rains or heavy irrigation.

 The following slideshow illustrates the process of deep tining in its entirety, from the topdressing of the greens to actual aerification and working the sand into the exposed holes.  Enjoy.  

Tree Inventory

Over the next several weeks, a certified arborist will be documenting the entire tree population at Meadowbrook CC.  Julie Stachecki, founder of Site Specific Inc., is performing the inventory, which was previously done in 2000.  Julie has Bachelor of Sciences in Horticulture and Park & Recreation Planning, coupled with a Masters in Agronomy and is a certified arborist.  She was a member of the MSU extension team and was the head of the 2-year associate degree in Nursery and Landscapes. 
Site Specific was founded in 1995 and has done arboreal related work at numerous clubs within the area including Oakland Hills, Pine Lake, Plum Hollow, Stonycroft and Bloomfield Hills Country Club.  Needless to say, Julie Stachecki is a well respected and knowledgeable member in her field. 
The goal of the arborist when performing a tree inventory focuses around the best way to allocate resources to trees that are most in need.  This begins with documenting every tree on the property in terms of species, size and health.  This inventory will provide a glimpse of diversity within the population and allow each tree to be individually assessed.  With this information, superintendents can identify trees that are potential problems and apply resources and finances appropriately.
Members may have noticed numbered, metallic tags appearing on trees around the course.  These numbered tags correspond with a field sheet that has specific information pertaining to that individual tree.   The field sheet will tell the species, size and general health of the tree.  It also provides the arborist's recommendations for care of said tree (if any).  These recommendations can include, but are not limited to, pruning, ways to combat disease and insect threats and trees that pose safety issues due to poor structure.  These trees that pose safety issues have the potential to fall or drop heavy limbs, and should be removed.  Pruning, while seemingly a trivial task, is a very important cultural practice especially on young trees.  Pruning a young tree gives one control of the future shape (or architecture) of the tree.  Branches that will later prove to be a problem can be removed easily and safely. 
It is hard to place an exact dollar amount on a tree population, but with one that plays such an integral role on the golf course like Meadowbrook's it is important to provide the trees with the best growing environment as possible.  Mrs. Stachecki's work will allow us to do just that.  Enjoy the colors. 

Short Game Facility & Range Tee

The driving range tee, an area of 25,000 square feet, does not meet the demands of the golfing membership here at MCC.  Expansion is needed but land is at a premium as it is at most old courses where towns and cities have grown up around them.  In these scenarios proper land management is essential so MCC has employed the services of Natural Course Design.  The architects there proposed the following designs (displayed below) which not only increases the size of the range tee to enable golfers to hit from natural grass all season, but also provides an additional practice putting green, short game facility (an excellent area to practice) and the removal and relocation of the maintenance facility that has limited land usage since its establishment.  As with any construction project, it begins with site preparation.

Site Preparation:

To enlarge the range tee and build the short game facility the area behind the current range has to be prepped.  Two residential houses, the storage barn of the maintenance staff and a large amount of trees, brush and compost has to be cleared and removed.  Power and telephone lines will have to be rerouted as well.  After these projects have been completed, construction can begin on the short game and new maintenance facility.  Expanding the range tee and remodeling the range floor has to be a later phase of the project or the danger posed to the grounds crew and golfers on 15 fairway is too great. 

Short Game Facility and Maintenance Buildings:

The current maintenance buildings are insufficient in terms of space needed to hold the 1.4 million dollars worth of equipment that is required to maintain the golf course.  Almost 11,000 square feet is needed while the current buildings can only house 7,000 square feet of equipment.  The current buildings are also old, decrepit and do not meet today’s standards.  As you can see from the proposed plan, the new maintenance facility is out of the way, has over 11,000 square feet and will provide easy access for delivery trucks.  New tree plantings will screen the buildings and surrounds from members and guests.  The current facility lies well within range of golf shots from the practice tee while the proposed facility will house crew and equipment safely.  The proposed short game facility will feature two practice chipping greens surrounded by practice bunkers, a rough chipping area and a large area of fairway and approach that will have undulations so golfers can practice above and below the feet shots.  Another poa annua putting green is planned for the southwest corner of the facility, allowing every short yardage shot to be practiced from one area.  Due to demands of short mowed turf, drainage and irrigation will have to be installed in this area as well.  To protect the short game facility from big hitters on the new range tee, 40 trees will be planted around the perimeter making the area safe for golfers.  So members can access the facility, a proposed 1700-foot cart path will be installed with mound work and 70 large tree plantings lining the path to protect against errant shots from 15 tee and the range tee. 

Range Tee & Range Floor:

Once these phases of the project are completed, and after the MCC Invitational, the current range tee will be closed and construction can begin on the new tee and range floor.  The proposed range tee is 2.5x larger than the current one, increasing the total area to 64,000 square feet.  Members could potentially hit from natural grass the entire golfing season, as opposed to hitting off of artificial mats 2 days out of the week.  More golfers could use the tee at the same time also.  Currently there are only 23 hitting stalls while the proposed tee would have 34. 

The proposed range floor will be designed with target greens at spaced intervals and fairway cuts of turf to better allow golfers to judge their club distance and ball roll.  Because of these additions, the range floor will have to be re-graded and irrigation installed.  These practice greens and fairway will draw shots towards the center of the range, alleviating some of the potential dangers to 8 mile and 15 fairway.  Besides the practice greens and fairways, the surrounding 6 acres will be sodded so the range can open quickly in the spring (if construction on it begins the previous fall). 

It is important to keep in mind that all of the above are proposed ideas and the entire concept is dependent on a membership vote.  Meadowbrook, in the author's not-so-humble opinion, is a premier club in the area and all aspects of it should reflect that, including areas outside of the course itself.  A full view of the proposed plan is available at the following link;   Proposed Range Tee and Short Game Facility PDF.

Fall Projects

Cool temperatures herald the approach of fall and the staff is pleased to put the summer of 2012 behind us.  Demands of the turf have resided for the most part, allowing the crew to focus on the ambitious list of projects we hope to complete by winter. 

Greens aerification was done the week of Labor Day and the punched holes have started to fill in.  As the members have noticed, fairway aerification is underway.  The sheer amount of traffic (from crew and golfer alike) over the season puts a large amount of stress on the fairways and opening up channels for air exchange, thatch removal and new root growth is essential in preparing the plant for winter.  While most are just aerified, some fairways will be topdressed as well.  Topdressing an entire fairway is expensive so only the ones that display the worst surface drainage and poorest soil quality are attempted.

In November, MCC's greens will be deep tined.  This process, similar to solid tine aerification, is done to allow better drainage.  Deep channels of sand, 7-8 inches in depth, move water away from the surface and out of the rootzone, making MCC's greens relatively firm and playable after heavy rains.  A few weeks after deep tining, the crew prepares the greens for winter and the closing of the course.  They again will be aerified with solid tines and buried by at least a quarter inch of topdressing sand.  This topdressing sand protects the crowns of the turf plant over the winter by moving water away from the surface, where freezing and thawing can have a devastating effect on plant health.  An added bonus is the greens have a large amount of sand applied that will work its way into the rootzone, always a desirable thing. 

Trees, trees and more trees.  Dupont's herbicide Imprelis severely damaged numerous white pines on the course.  When evaluating these trees, other issues involving different species were brought to light.  These issues namely involve some extensive pruning, which will hold the focus of some crew members through the month of October.  Certain damaged white pines will also have to be removed as they present safety issues.  A few will even have to be replaced because they protect tees from errant golf shots, but this is best done in the winter.  The heavy equipment used to remove and replace a tree will cause less damage once the ground has frozen over.  Another tree inventory will be performed in the month of October as well.  This assessment will evaluate the current state of damaged white pines, provide information on the future health of these trees, give recommendations for pruning and ways to better improve the tree population of MCC.  Trees can often take a back seat in the mind of a superintendent but at a course where they play a definitive role in many holes it is important to provide them with an environment that they can thrive in. 

Re-sodding of green complexes will continue as well.  8 green complexes were stripped and replaced last year and the results and comments have been overwhelmingly positive.  The crew has lost some of its man power from last fall but they hope to complete as many as possible.  Not only does this process result in excellent aesthetic value, it improves the playability around the green.  Poa and Creeping Bentgrass mowed above 2 inches turns into a puffy, tangled mass that is difficult to get a club under.  A consistent stand of Kentucky bluegrass will allow for a better lie, rewarding a good shot that just didn't make the green. 

These projects are labor intensive and are coupled with the day-to-day operations of maintaining a golf course in the fall (i.e. leaf removal).   However, the MCC staff does a good job of keeping the course playable and we encourage the members to come out and enjoy one of the best times of year for golf. 

Homeowner Update: Fall Lawncare Tips

Fall is an excellent time of year to strengthen, protect and if necessary, repair your home lawn.  After the high temperatures of summer (such as the summer of 2012) the homeowners lawn is in recovery mode and provides an opportune time to prepare your turf for winter and next spring.  The following are guidelines from lawn care professionals to ensure the homeowner does just that.

Mowing/Leaf Control:  Kentucky Bluegrass lawns (the norm for Michigan) are most comfortable mowed at a height of 2.5 to 3 inches.  A shorter lawn, while possibly more aesthetically pleasing, puts undue stress on the turf and requires a significant amount of maintenance.  Leaves and grass clippings are unsightly but should be mulched (or mowed) into the lawn.  Removing these sources of carbon weakens the microbial population of the soil and will damage your lawn in the long run.

Irrigation: The heat is over but irrigation is still required (in the absence of rain).  An inch of water a week is a good standard to follow.  Golf courses preach frequent, light watering but this is not ideal or very feasible for the homeowner.  Your inch of water should be spaced out into two .5 inch irrigation events.  These heavy, infrequent watering will encourage deeper rooting of the turf. 

Fertilization:  Amounts of fertilizer are measured in pounds of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet.  A good goal is to apply 2 lbs of Nitrogen in the fall, spaced into two applications.  The first of which can be done in early September and the latter in early October.  It is essential to not over-fertilize, this will lead to lush, young growth that can die off and damage the plant in winter. 

Seeding:  Autumn is an excellent time to seed damaged areas of your lawn.  It is important to select a seed mixture based on the environment you intend to grow in (i.e. shaded or saturated areas).  These recommendations can be found on the bag of seed.  To ensure a large percentage of germination, make sure that the areas you intend to seed have been raked clear of the dying turf.  Aeration is also helpful in this regards, giving the seed the necessary seed-to-soil contact needed for successful germination.  September 1st through October 1st is the best time to perform seeding when using your basic seed mixtures. 

Weed Control:  When plants are actively growing, like they are in the spring and fall, is the best time to apply herbicides.  Early September applications are effective in controlling broadleaf weeds for the current fall.  However, studies at Nebraska, Purdue and Michigan State show that acceptable control can still be achieved when applying herbicides late into autumn (post October 15th).  Immediate results will not be as visible as early applications but long term control into the spring can be achieved. 

Insect Control:  The most common insect pest of home lawns in Michigan is the European Chafer.  The larvae (or grubs) are the metamorphosis form that cause damage and are at their biggest and most active in the fall.  The grubs could be the cause of weakened turf stands but it is important to scout the area first.  Pull back the damaged turf and if the number of grubs is greater than 5 per square foot an insecticide application is probably required (especially after this dry summer).  When purchasing your insecticide look for the active ingredients of carbaryl or trichlorfon.  Because the target is beneath the surface of the ground, water in your application with rain or a half inch of irrigation. 

Men's Invitational Update; Teamwork

Meadowbrook received approximately 2 inches of rain on the opening of the Men's Invitational.  Normally this amount would almost close the course to carts at least, but the event will push on as scheduled.  The crew worked through the rain yesterday afternoon to set the course up for saturated conditions.  Low areas of fairways with standing water have been roped off and a white line has been painted from tee to green on each hole, for carts to follow.  The line will take golfers on a safe route that won't damage the course.
There are over 200 golfers that will play 18 holes a day during the Invite.  The rain limits the amount of carts that can go out, which means that caddies become even more essential.  Thanks are due to the staff of the first tee who organizes such things and without communication between the two departments (first tee and grounds), today's event would not be possible.  Also of note, the culinary department and pro shop were effected by the adverse conditions as well.  New pin placements were needed for greens with soft areas and the kitchen staff had to scramble to accomodate the mass amount of people in the clubhouse.  As always, communication is KEY, and each department deserves recognition for a job well done. 
We hope that members and guest alike enjoy the course and respect the traffic barriers that are in place.  Crossing your fingers for no more precipitation would be appreciated as well.  Enjoy.

Course Conditions

7th Green

Over the course of summer, temperatures in Northville have breached 90 degrees over twenty times, coupled with little precipitation.  The greens and green surrounds however, remain in good agronomic health.  The putting surfaces are firm and the staff has been able to maintain green speeds in between 11 and 12 feet.  The crew has achieved this by constant monitoring and if necessary, syringing of the green surfaces and hand watering the banks. 



14 Tee & Complex



The tees, at one point a definite eye-sore due to a sudden thunderstorm and the fungal disease pythium, have recovered well.   There are minor spots on certain tees that display a loss in turf density, but considering the severity of the conditions, the staff considers them to be in good health and Men's Invitational-ready. 



Fairways are another issue.  There are 27 acres of fairways at Meadowbrook and 26.8 of those are at an acceptable aesthetic level.  The remaining .2 acres, which stick out like sore thumbs, show poor color and losses in turf density because they have faced a variety of problems, as explained below.

• Heat: Obviously high temperatures have a negative effect on plant health and lead to a plethora of other problems.
• Drought/Heavy Rain Events: Like any organism, turfgrass needs water to survive.  The irrigation system is essential in this regard but does have limitations as discussed in the previous article.  On the other hand, heavy rains can lead to soft unplayable fairways, compaction and standing water (a death sentence to turf when combined with high temperatures). 
• Compaction: Heavy cart traffic and saturated conditions will compact soils, especially in peak season when everyone wants to enjoy a round of golf.  Compacted soils limit plant roots and can seal off the surface of the ground, making watering difficult.
• Shallow Roots: All of the above problems are magnified by shallow rooting.  Poa annua, a magnificent plant in most aspects, is a notorious shallow rooter.  With a small root system the turf cannot derive the necessary water and nutrient requirements to withstand traffic.  
• Summer Patch:  Magnaporthe Poae is a fungal disease that can appear from June through September.  The disease is exacerbated by weakened roots, high soil temperatures and saturated conditions.  Initial infection occurs in the spring but symptoms will not appear until certain environmental conditions are met.  Once this stage is reached, chemical control of the disease is very hard to achieve. 

To combat the issues brought on by the weather, staff members have been syringing areas of the fairways that are prone to heat stress or water loss.  Aerification of compacted or saturated areas(to prevent anaerobic conditions brought on by water) has been utilized as well.  Throughout the year, fungicides have been sprayed on a preventative basis for summer patch, but in the turfs weakened conditions, the fungus "overpowered" the chemical.  Two chemical applications, at curative rates, have been performed recently and the staff has their fingers crossed for positive results. 



7th Fairway



Overall, considering the weather, the staff is pleased with the condition of the course.  Despite the issues, playability remains excellent and the greens provide a challenging yet fair putting surface.  The summer of 2012 has been a test of nerves but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. 



Irrigation and Syringing

The crew has put the irrigation system to the test this summer, in which heat and drought conditions still prevail.  A necessity on any course, it has definitely proven its worth this season.  The system and pump house put out over 270,000 gallons of water a night, through 1500 odd sprinkler heads and a couple miles of PVC pipe.  With the sheer number of heads on the course and the amount of water being applied, constant checking and maintenance of the system is required.  Breaks will happen and the members have probably seen sections of the course staked off because of soft conditions.  The crew tries to remedy the situation as fast as possible and we appreciate the concern members show when these breaks occur in areas of play. 

Moisture management is key, especially if the demands on the course call for constant firm and fast conditions.  Watering heavily will meet the demands of the turf, but can lead to soft greens and fairways, higher disease pressure from fungal pathogens and compaction (saturated soils compact extremely quickly when traffic is added to the equation).  On the other end of the spectrum, watering lightly will provide that coveted firm surface but one will see losses in turf density, poor color and overall weakened stands of grass.  Light, frequent irrigation is the trend of most golf courses but other factors come into play as well.  Soil types, elevation and amount of sunlight have to be taken into account.  Each micro environment calls for a different watering pattern, and automatic sprinkler heads are limited in this aspect. 

Because of those limitations, hand watering is often utilized, especially here at Meadowbrook.  Hand watering allows a crew member to apply the desired amount of water to a certain area.  Admittedly, accuracy depends on the skill of the crew member but a superintendent will train an employee to recognize areas of wilt and heat stress and to water accordingly. 

Another benefit of hand watering is the ability to syringe the turf.  Syringing involves a very light amount of water to drop the temperature of the grass in times of extreme heat.  Enzymes that facilitate necessary chemical reactions within the cell do not perform efficiently at high temperatures and a cooling of the turf is necessary. 

Once again we would like to thank the memberships patience when the crew has been hand watering greens.  Our concerns are your concerns and with cooperation (and a little help from mother nature) we can keep Meadowbrook looking great.  Enjoy. 

Storm Damage



Missing a limb?



Found the limb



While there was a considerable amount of brush down around the course, Meadowbrook was spared the brunt of last nights weather.  The morning duties were postponed and the crew deployed around the course to pick up debris.  There was no damage to vital areas (greens, tees and fairways) but the total amount of downed limbs and sticks that needed to be picked up was daunting.  For the crew to accomplish this task, and than mow, roll and spray greens is impressive.  Thanks are due to the members as well for their patience this morning with the postponement of early morning cultural practices. 

A word of caution to those in carts; there ARE wet areas on the course so please be vigilant when driving on fairways.   Regular mowing and maintenance practices were delayed because of the rainfall over the past couple of days but the crew has caught back up and we expect the course to shine over the holiday weekend.  Enjoy. 



9th green at 7am



9th green at 9am



Open Mondays

Having an open course on Mondays allows the crew to accomplish tasks that would be impossible with play.  A closed course is a rare thing in todays economic climate, so when one occurs, full advantage is taken.  The following list was completed yesterday in 90 degree temperatures.

1. Verti-Cut Greens and Tee's.
2. Topdressed Greens and Tee's.
3. Sprayed Greens and Tee's with various fungicides and fertilizer.
4. Mowed Fairways. 
5. Mowed Tee's by hand. 
6. Checked every sprinkler head on the course for rotation and amounts.
7. Driving Range Tee tasks:
1. Cleaned Divots and Mowed
2. Seeded and topdressed current hitting line.
3. Fertilized with granular product.
4. Irrigated.
5. Sprayed Fungicide
8. Bunker tasks:
1. Pulled weeds/cleaned.
2. Edged bunkers.
3. Hand mowed areas unreachable by banks mowers.
4. Raked bunkers. 
9. Mowed clubgrounds in their entirety.
10. Mowed Range floor.
11. Fertilized and applied a wetting agent to bunker edges and green surrounds.

Homeowners; Annual Flower Warning

Impatiens are an annual flowering plant that thrive in shaded areas, making them a popular addition to homeowner landscapes.  However there have been recent grim reports of a fungal pathogen, downy mildew, spreading throughout several continents that is lethal to impatiens walleriana.  Reports have just started in the United States and homeowners who planted impatiens this spring are encouraged to look for the following symptoms:





Light-gray fuzz on underside of leaf


• Yellowish foliage
• Downward curling leaf
• Distortion of the leaves
• White to light-gray fuzz on the undersides of the leaves
• Emerging leaves that are small or discolored
• Flower buds failing to form
• Stunted Growth

Once downy mildew has infected the host plant there are no treatment options (the new genetic strand of fungus is resistant to current fungicides).  Worse, the disease can harbor in the soil over winter and re-infect planted impatiens the following spring.  Homeowners are recommended to remove the infected plants and any healthy plants that are adjacent.  Other annual ornamentals that tolerate shaded conditions are begonias, new guinea impatiens and coleus.  There are a variety of perennial plants that will perform well too, including hostas, ferns, yellow rocket, astillibe, blue fescue and hakonecloa. 

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. 

 

The Heat is on

Michigan is heading into summer with a full head of steam, making golfer etiquette even more important.  In a turfgrass community the first organ to be sacrificed during periods of high temps and drought are the roots.  As roots degrade the plants ability to withstand traffic (i.e. Carts) decreases as well.  Following these simple guidelines will not only help the crew but assist in keeping the golf course as playable and photogenic as possible. 

1. Smooth acceleration and braking when using carts.  Remember, you are driving and walking on a living carpet that has a lower threshold for damage during periods of stress (heat and drought).  Due to minimal root mass any hard acceleration or braking will rip the turf from the soil.
2. Limit carts to cartpaths as much as possible.  Cartpaths are there exclusively for carts, utilizing them would be of extreme benefit to the crew and course as a whole.  Following groups will not pass you if you park on the paths.
3. Do not drive up green banks or park in the surrounds.  The green complexes see a higher degree of traffic than most other areas on the course.  Limiting the amount of stress on these areas to only foot traffic will keep the turf healthy and playable throughout the summer months. 
4. Follow the MCC preferred divot pattern on the range tee.  Re-establishing or growing turf in the heat of summer is difficult to impossible.  The preferred divot pattern effects the least amount of area and gives the grass the best opportunity to regenerate (illustrated in the picture below). 
5. Fix ballmarks.  The majority of members follow this rule consistently but as a reminder always fix your ball mark or voids will appear leading to a decrease in green smoothness. 
6. Remove broken or used tee's when leaving the tee box.  While not directly related to heat stress, the crew has noticed an inordinate amount of tee's left on the tee box.  These can significantly damage the reels used to mow the tee's and we would appreciate member cooperation on this issue. 
7. Do not drive through or park in mulch beds. 

MCC Preferred Divot Pattern





Tree Care Management

Due to herbicide injury on white pines and other conifers, the crew has had to re-think its tree care management plan.  Prior to this season, tree care was limited to the removal of dead limbs and contracted chemical applications when the need was greatest.  However, with over 150 white pines on the course all showing signs of chemical injury a more integrated approach of pest management and tree care is needed.  With input from certified arborists, professors of entomology at Michigan State and Arborjet Plant Health Solutions, a conclusive IPM and health care plan has been put into practice over the past week. 



Much Needed Irrigation



The first step was a simple one, in theory.  Large amounts of water from the irrigation system have been applied to stands of white pines around the course.  These stands are out of the irrigation sprinklers reach so quick couplers have been installed at necessary points to allow watering of these areas.  The past month has shown precious little rain making the need for irrigation even stronger on weakened trees. 

The dry months experienced by Michigan increases the amount of time the irrigation system is used, not only on tree stands but the course in its entirety.  Meadowbrook does not use municipal waters so whatever comes out of the wells is applied to the course.  The results of a water test have shown that the concentration of sodium bicarbonates is well above recommended levels, a definite cause for concern.  Bicarbonates destroy soil structure within the profile, compacting the ground.  Extended periods of no precipitation events will lead to a decrease in turf density, especially on fairways where the soils are namely silts and clay.  An acid injection system installed in the pump house will decrease the pH of the irrigation water, lowering the concentration of sodium bicarbonates. 

Mulch beds are an effective way of decreasing damage done to the tree by mechanical means (mowers and weed whips stripping the bark at the base of the tree).  Members have probably noted the appearance of several new, large mulch and pine needle beds around the course.  These beds cover areas where turf barely clings to life, making the stands more aesthetically pleasing.  Aesthetics is only a secondary benefit though, the main benefit being an alteration of soil types in these stands.  A heavy layer of chipped mulch is applied to the area first.  This large amount of carbon will increase microbial activity in the area, breaking down the mulch and adding organic matter to the soil profile.  Organic matter has excellent soil moisture and nutrient retention, making these more available to the white pines in the area.  Finally, pine straw covers the mulch adding to the aesthetic value and decreasing the weed pressure.  As pine straw decompose it slightly acidifies the soils beneath it, a tough environment for weeds to germinate or grow within.  300 yards of mulch have been applied to various new beds and over 2000 bales of pine straw have been placed on top. 



Devising a Tree IPM Strategy



Trees have feeling too.  Not emotions that people would recognize but they can be "stressed out".  When a tree is injured it gives off a pheromone that insects can sense, making that tree a beacon for insect feeding and habitation.  Numerous white pines on the course have the potential to become hotels for a variety of bark beetles and borers.  Worse, if only one tree in a stand is giving off the pheromone, the insect population attracted to the tree will spread to the other healthy trees around it.  To combat this problem, on the recommendations of our arborist, preventative measures have been taken.  Arborjet Plant Health Solutions sells equipment and chemical products for a means of insecticide application known as tree injection.  Tree injection applies chemicals directly into the vascular system of the tree, limiting the exposure of the harmful insecticide to the applicator and surrounding environment.  It also guarantees that a larger amount of product is taken up by the target tree (more so than a base drench, the alternative that relies heavily on root uptake).  This practice should nullify the amount of damage done by insects to already threatened white pines. 





Tree Injection



Many turf management professionals view trees as a hindrance, even a weed in some cases.  They can make maintaining a healthy stand of turf a nightmare (shade, root competition, leaf and needle drop).  However, with a tree population as old as Meadowbrooks, many of the white pines have stood for over 70 years.  They add a majestic quality to areas of the course and would be sorely missed, by member and crew alike, if it becomes necessary to remove them.  Remember to look up every once and a while, and enjoy. 









Irrigation Source

Members and guests see the pond off the 4th fairway as a variety of things.  An appeasing landscape fixture, a reminder to hit that second shot cleanly, a hotbed for wildlife gatherings.  To the superintendent and crew, it serves another vital function.  Our irrigation system draws all of its thousands of gallons of water from the pond.  Besides communication, irrigation is the most important tool a turf manager possesses. 
On an average night watering over 200,000 gallons of water are applied to the course.  The irrigation pond holds almost 3,000,000 gallons of water and if we only watered 15 times during the entire season, that amount would be sufficient.  Obviously that is not the case and the pond needs to be refilled.  We are lucky enough at MCC to have access to aquifers that more than supply our irrigation needs.  When the pond reaches a certain level, a sensor triggers the three wells (reaching over 60 feet deep) to start refilling.
The on-site water source definitely has it's advantage in terms of not having to pay a water utility.  However, municipal water is extensively treated and cleaned.  Drawing directly from the ground will not filter out any impurities.  The majority of these are harmless to turf, there is only one chemical that causes concern.  Sodium bicarbonates destroy soil structure, leaving it compacted and inhospitable for grass.  The levels in our irrigation water are significant and after extended use of the irrigation system, the turf and soil show signs of declining health.  Besides timely rain events, there is another solution to this issue.  An acid injection system in the pump house would alleviate this problem, breaking up the bicarbonates before the water is applied to the course.  The quality of the irrigation water is always a high concern, so chemical applications made around the pond are conducted with the utmost caution, especially when applying herbicides. 
As mentioned before, the irrigation system applies 200,000 gallons of water during a nightly watering.  The ability to move that much water does not come cheaply and to decrease the costs of power to the pump house, MCC utilizes a variable frequency drive that controls the number of pumps running (three 60 horsepower pumps) to provide the bare minimum of horsepower required.  The new software for the irrigation computer shortens the water window (amount of time necessary to irrigate) as well. 
Recently, the motor and the well pump had to be replaced.  The wells were only out of commission for a couple days but the crew has noted a marked drop in water level.  A timely inspection and repair was conducted by a well drilling and installation company and the pumps are back up and running, returning 4 pond to it's original level.   
To provide tournament type conditions requires an extensive irrigation system and a comprehensive knowledge of moisture management.  The goal of Meadowbrook Country Club has always been to provide these conditions on a day to day basis, making irrigation a vital aspect of turfgrass management.   

Spring Fertilization

As of a couple weeks ago, the turfgrass in the fairways and rough has consumed all the nitrogen and other nutrients the crew applied last fall and the grass is hungry.  On Monday, May 7th, we contracted a fertilization company to apply product to our fairways in their entirety, and over 40 acres of rough.  With the heavy rate applied, the fertilizer should supply the turfgrass with sufficient nutrients into the mid-summer months. 

Normally a 3-4 day process, contracting this practice out saved the crew numerous man hours and some rather back-breaking labor (manually loading and unloading over 9 tons of fertilizer).  The rough received a separate fertilizer than the fairways.  To provide extended nitrogen, the rough was fertilized with a slow release product that will satisfy turf needs deep into summer.  The following slide show depicts the fertilizing process from the loading of material and equipment, to actual spreading of the fertilizer.



Sand HAZARDS

Over the past week, the crew has focused on bunker quality and maintenance.  Besides grooming, the bunkers are edged every 2-3 weeks and constantly checked for drainage and other issues that would impede play from the sand.  This week specifically, the crew individually checked each bunker to make sure it met the requirements for the amount of sand required (4" in the middle and 2" on the flashing or sides).  Light areas were marked and new bunker sand was applied. 

The type of sand in a bunker is obviously important, sand particle shape in particular.  The more angular shape to each particle the firmer the sand will be, providing for less fried-egg lies.  At MCC we mix a generic sand type with a Pro-Angle sand (provides desirable whitish color) at a ratio of 3:1 respectfully.  Since the bunkers have been redone in 1984, we have seen little issues in regards to drainage and are happy with the consistency of them as a whole.  After extreme rain events there is some pooling but these events are limited.  With 75 tons of new sand already applied, and 25 more on the way, the crew should be able to complete the process within the week.  Enjoy the beaches.   

    

Tee Times for Turf

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is starting it's annual Tee Times for Turf benefit program, April 29th and runs through the 15th of May.  Golf courses around the midwest offer tee times that are placed on auction, with all the proceeds going to turfgrass research.  This is a great way to further the advancement of turfgrass knowledge and all donations are tax deductible.  There are excellent clubs offered this year and great deals are possible so please visit this link; Tee Times 4 Turf if you are interested in bidding or want more information.  Enjoy.

Compaction, Crumb Rubber and the Environment

Throughout the season, certain areas surrounding MCC's greens see constant traffic (walk-on walk-off areas).  Whether it be from golfer and caddie, crew and equipment or simply just carts that were not driven and parked on the cart path, the high traffic areas around the greens see a substantial decline in turf health and density as the season progresses. 

What can we do? Encircle the green with traffic stakes and rope? Re-sod every 2 weeks?  There are feasible solutions.  The root of the problem on these areas is compaction.  The soil losses all its structure and combined with summer heat, makes a poor environment for anything to grow in, even for species as tough as turfgrasses.  To alleviate the effects of compaction, the crew will, on occasion aerify these areas.  However, there is a recovery time involved with aerifying and weather conditions have to be taken into account as well.

The solution, or so we hope, comes in the form topdressing.  Michigan State University performed a study in 2008-09 that compared the effects of topdressing with various materials in regards to traffic.  The materials included variations of topdressing sand and crumb rubber.  Crumb rubber was not applied as heavily as sand but yielded the turf with the least amount of density loss.  Admittedly, crumb rubber is more expensive than sand but the area's we intend to utilize it on are not large. 

Not only does crumb rubber perform the best, it is produced from reused material.  Automotive and truck tires are taken from landfills and junkyards and during the recycling process steel and fluff are removed, leaving just tire rubber with a specific granular consistency.  Sound environmental practices like these are a necessity that the golfing industry will have to embrace in the very near future.  What better time to start than now? 



Crumb Rubber Topdressing



Sand Topdressing