Tree Care Update

Winter has started to settle in as has the crew into our tree care program.  Removals, pruning and stump grinding have all begun and will continue through March unless heavy snowfall or thaws impede the process. 



This basswood on the 6th hole had rotted out through the base and halfway up the trunk.  Its significant lean was over a popular route for carts, a reminder of the importance of the tree inventory in regards to safety. 

 

 

 

 

The large walnut behind the 15th green was removed by Westside Forestry on the 17th of Decemeber.  This tree failed a structural integrity evaluation and was in a state of decline for the past 5 years.

 

 

 

 

 

The other walnut that hung over the left green-side bunker on the 15th hole failed the same structural evaluation and was removed on the 17th as well.  During late summer, the bunker had to be cleaned daily to remove all the walnuts from this tree. 

 

 

 

 

 

This white pine was one of the first trees that chemical damage from the herbicide Imprelis was noticed on.  Unfortunately for this 70 foot monster, no recovery was observed on it for 2 years and had to be removed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stand of white pines to the left of the 6th green suffered significant chemical damage, and due to declining aesthetics and health, all trees had to be removed. 

 

 



 

Tree Pruning Tutorial

Recent cold temperatures significantly reduce the chance of arboreal disease, so if members or homeowners have young trees now is the time to prune.  The following tutorial, a summarized version of the one crew members received from arborist Julie Stachecki, should help members prune their trees for maximum effect. 

When to Prune?
Timing is important and as stated above, pruning during the dormant season is ideal because of the lack of disease pressure, the visibility of the branching (w/o foliage) and minimal reduction in plant vigor.  For evergreen pruning wait until late winter, the tree will suffer the least amount of setback stress in the spring.  Heavy bleeders (trees with excessive amount of sap i.e. Maples) can be pruned in the summer to avoid a sticky situation. 

Why Prune?
Pruning is done for a variety of reasons including the removal of dead, damaged or diseased branches, size control, structure development and design intent to name a few.  Younger trees which are usually the most vigorous stand to benefit the most from pruning.  When a tree reaches maturity, not only are branches to big or high to correct structural defects but the the tree will not recover as quickly. 

What to Prune?
As alluded to before, remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches to prevent the tree from wasting resources.  Remove water sprouts and suckers (small twig-like branches that are growing straight up from the trunk or branch).  Cross branching, branches that touch, should be removed as they will cause structural integrity problems further down the road.  Co-dominant headers (which will appear as two main trunks) should be removed as well but it is important to pick the straighter of the two headers, and gradually remove limbs off the other header over a period of a couple years before removing this header all together.  On younger trees do not remove more than 25% of the branches.  Unions in the trunk that have more than one branch will cause structural problems in the future as well and should be removed. 

How to Prune?
It is important to have sharp equipment.  Dull saws and pruning shears result in poor quality cuts that do not heal nearly as fast as a precise, clean cut. 
When actually removing limbs, use the two following techniques:

 




The 3 Cut Method ensures that the bark will not tear when removing the limb.  If the bark tears, resources are wasted healing over the exposed tissue and disease pressure increases.








By pruning at the suggested angle, the tree will recover the fastest.  DO NOT make flush cuts. 


















The following photos show a young tree prior to pruning and after. 




After Pruning

Before Pruning

 

On this tree, a co-dominant header was removed, along with branches that joined the trunk at too steep of an angle and unions that held more than 3 branches. 

While this article is not all encompassing, it should be enough to get small tree owners started in the right direction.  Remember to not remove too much material and take a step back and observe the shape of the tree before and after each cut.  If members are interested, a very detailed power point discussing pruning techniques is available upon request.  Enjoy. 

Closing of the Course

Winter brings many challenges to turfgrass survival, particularly in Michigan.  Extreme temperatures, random thaws, high winds and the potential for deep snow cover are only some of the issues golf course turf faces in the cold months.  Many things need to occur to officially "put the course to bed" that require a 7-10 day period before the ground has frozen. 

The first task being; protecting the turf from winter fungal diseases.  Two diseases are prevalent during these months, pink and grey snow mold.  Fungicides with months of persistence (longevity) are applied to greens, tees and fairways to prevent either of the two pathogens from taking hold.  The greens require even further protection, namely from crown hydration.  The turf grass species, Poa annua can break dormancy at the drop of a hat with a thaw and if this occurs mid-winter the plant will uptake water.  When the inevitable freeze happens again, the moisture retained in the crown will freeze and puncture cell walls and membranes, effectively killing the plant.  To combat this problem, the crew buries the greens under .25"-.3" of sand and aerifies with solid tines.  These channels of sand allow water to move deeper into the soil profile, away from the delicate crowns of the plant.  A large majority of the sand still remains on the surface, protecting the greens from wind dessication as well.  Some greens require further protection through the use of winter covers.  These cover compose of a layer of bubble wrap (to allow air movement) and a heavy tarp over the bubble wrap to control the amount of moisture the green receives and protect them even further from dry northern winds.  These measures are necessary because of the type of turf that compromises Meadowbrook's greens.  Members may have noted that other clubs in the Detroit area do not require these cultural practices due to the fact that they have creeping bentgrass greens which will not break dormancy until spring.  Finally, a "dormant feed" is performed using a readily available source of nitrogen to provide the turf with enough nutrients to hit the ground running in the spring, but not enough for lush growth to occur.
As most members are probably aware by now, the large walnut trees behind the 18th green and next to the 9th green have been removed.  These trees failed a structural integrity evaluation in early fall due to cavities, poor architecture and rotting wood to name just a few issues.  Removal was recommended by two aborists, along with two other walnut trees on the 15th hole for similar reasons.  The removal of the trees and the resulting aesthetics of the holes are shown below. 

Cavities and Rotting Wood Present in Trunk of 9 Green Walnut



The weight of the limbs is poorly distributed

The "Fire Tree" behind the 18th Green

 

Other tree removals due to chemical damage or arborist recommendations will continue throughout the winter months, and the blog will be utilized to keep members up to date during this time period.  We hope everyone enjoys the holidays and will see you again in the spring.  Enjoy. 

Bunker Project Update

The bunker sand project is nearing completion, with only a couple fairway bunkers and one green bunker left to "cap".  As a quick reminder, the old bunker sand was too soft, leading to fried-egg lies when landing in the hazard.  This was due to the individual size and shape of each sand particle.  The new sand, Pro-Angle, will alleviate this problem once all the newly applied sand has settled.  We have received a very positive response from the membership regarding the new aesthetics as well. 

View from the 1st Tee

The 9th Green

 

The 8th Green

Contamination of the new sand and the old leaves the bunker with a dirty appearance.  The crew plans to keep a small amount of Pro-Angle on-site to deal with this issue.  However, the only time contamination becomes a problem is when heavy rains wash out steep slopes or when golfers enter/exit the bunker on these steep slopes.  We ask that members please follow proper golf etiquette and avoid stepping on the faces.

1st Landing area on the 2nd Hole

The "Perfect" Storm

It never fails. With the second Men's Invitational looming, a large storm cell tracked through the Northville area on the 11th and left a swath of destruction in it's wake. Numerous trees around the course had large limbs knocked to the ground in the 50mph+ winds and two trees were lost (on the 12th and 17th holes). A shocking amount of debris cluttered the greens, tees and fairways making the course unplayable and led to the closing of it on Thursday, the 12th.
The crew was hard pressed, working two 11+ hour days to bring MCC back into some semblance of a golf course. A tip of the hat is in order to all staff members and another one to first tee employees who came out and helped with the clean up.  Due to the storm, the bunker sand project was placed on hold but with the clean up coming to an end, will commence again next week. The following video highlights some of the damage. 

Bunker Sand Project

Meadowbrook's bunker sand has remained relatively the same for the past 30 years, with only small additions of more sand to replace what is lost during the course of a couple seasons.  An increasing number of "fried egg" lies however, has prompted the staff to remedy the situation. 
Fried egg lies are a result of bunker sand being too soft, or unstable.  There are many attributing factors to this type of problem.  The main factor effecting MCC bunker's is the individual particle shape and size of each sand grain.  Sand particle shape can be classified as spherical, angular, sub-angular or sub-rounded.  Spherical particles are not desired, as they can lead to very unstable conditions (Lake Michigan beach sand is spherical in  shape and obviously unstable to the foot).  MCC's current sand is spherical in shape but the newly added Pro-Angle, as the name suggests, is angular and particles "bind" or crust together preventing softer conditions.  Also of note, Pro-Angle is much coarser than the current sand mix and as our avid readers know, this leads to better drainage.  The USGA measures bunker stability based on a ball lie rating, using KG/CM2 as units.  A 2.5 rating or above is desired, which Pro-Angle provides.  The sand to be replaced only had a rating of 1.67.   
A 2-3" layer (based on the depth of existing sand) of Pro-Angle will be added to the top of each bunker, capping them.  As one would expect, this is a very labor intensive practice and the crew will be spending more time on the beaches than David Hasselhoff.  After the sand is applied and checked for appropriate depth, it is leveled, raked and than watered.  The watering settles the sand, giving it immediate stability. 

 

Mixing of the Pro-Angle and current sand will not have any negative effects on bunker playability however, there is such a stark difference in color that if the old sand is brought to the surface it stands out like a sore thumb.  The depth the crew is applying at is sufficient to keep these two materials separate but the flashing's have such a steep slope that walking up the front faces of the bunker can potentially bring the old sand to the surface.  That is why it's more important than ever to follow proper golf course etiquette and enter/exit bunkers from the far side of the green.  Enjoy. 

Course Conditions; Approaching Fall

Weather:
Despite the current weeks forecast, weather patterns seem to be heading in a Fall-like direction as we approach the month of September.  Temperatures peaked in late July, directly after a heavy rain of 1.6".  Milder conditions followed and damaged areas of fairways were able to recover.  The week of the Men's Invitational saw some of the best weather we've experienced for the event in years, rarely has the course been that green in early August. 

Greens:
Poa annua is a notoriously shallow rooting plant and because of that minimal root system the top 2" of the soil profile need to stay relatively moist.  Automated sprinklers and irrigation systems are great tools but do not provide the accuracy that hand watering does.  Members have probably noticed crew members watering the greens on a consistent basis to keep the rootzone moist and the plants alive.  While the amount of water being applied is usually light, it still has a negative effect on green speed.  In comparison, creeping bentgrass roots extensively, and repeated irrigation isn't as necessary.  Other practices can be changed to raise the speed of the greens (i.e. lower height of cut, aggressive rolling) but to perform these in the middle of the season is just asking to lose grass, with the plant already being in a precarious state.  However, certain events require fast greens and for the Club Championship the crew was very conservative with it's watering and very liberal with it's rolling, resulting in green speeds of 12 feet or more.  The point being that it is possible to push poa greens into the higher speeds (12 or up) for periods of time, but maintaining those speeds throughout a typical season is agronomically unsound. 
The dark green irregularly shaped ring on the putting surfaces is the work of a variety of fungus that result in the disease Fairy Ring.  Localized Dry Spot, a typical companion of Fairy Ring has been observed as well (the off-color wilted sections within the Fairy Ring) raising the necessity for watering.  A fungicide application has been made to control the disease but keeping the moisture and fertility at an an adequate level is necessary for recovery. 

Tree Care:
On the 26th, two arborist performed structural evaluations on four black walnuts (on the 9th green, behind the 18th green and two near the 15th green).  A special tool is utilized that measures the resistance as it drills through key structural points on the tree.  These key points are obviously the trunk but other large limbs that present a hazard are measured as well.  If the trees do not posses the necessary structural integrity than they have to be removed.  Removal of chemically damaged trees will continue as planned when the weather turns favorable for hard manual labor. 

Fall Projects:
A rise in "fried egg lies" has prompted the need to amend the bunker sand.  A ball lie rating scale set forth by the USGA recommends bunker sand have a rating of 2.5 kg/cm2 or higher.  As it stands now, with no amendments, MCC bunker sand has a rating of 1.6.  The sand to be utilized, Pro-Angle, when mixed with our current sand provides a ball lie rating of 2.5.  Two inches of Pro-Angle will be mixed into all the green side bunkers. This will be a time consuming (and somewhat back-breaking) process but the crew hopes to tackle a hole a day while still tending to the other needs of the course. 

2013 Men's Invitational

Welcome to Meadowbrook Country Club and the 2013 Men's Invitational!

The staff has worked hard all summer  and we are proud to present the finished product. The original 6 holes of MCC were designed by Willie Park Jr. and in order to honor his commitment to the game of golf, the winners will be awarded a sculpture of his likeness. Over 125 acres are here for your enjoyment so respect the smooth greens, take in the beautiful views, and as always, remember to stay pin high.



Willie Park Jr. (1864-1925)

 

A Tip of the Hat

At 6pm, on Monday the 15th, Meadowbrook received a whopping 1.25" in a 30 minute span.  Periodic rains through the rest of the night brought the total rainfall to the Northville area up to 1.7".  July has already been a wet month, with the total precipitation recorded by the MCC weather station at just under 3".  90 degree weather and high humidity has also set in, skyrocketing disease pressure and increasing the chances of losing grass in completely saturated areas (we're looking at you, bottom of 12 fairway).  The following are some of the tasks that the crew will complete today to keep the course playable and the turf alive:

• Repairing Bunkers- During a heavy rainfall, bunker sand on the flashings and sides will wash down into the middle of the hazard.  The only solution for this is manually shoveling or pushing the sand back on to the sides.  With the heat and humidity, this already labor intensive process becomes even more unpleasant. 
• Removing Standing Water- Water remaining on the surface can suffocate turf if left unchecked.  These saturated soil conditions can also lead to infection by two of the most devastating fungal diseases; Pythium and Anthracnose.  The crew will use multiple tactics to be rid of this water such as pumps, probing for drainage lines (gives the water a clear path to the drainage line and off the surface) and roller squeegees.  The crew member assigned to this job rarely escapes with dry feet. 
• Needle Tining Greens- Because of the saturated conditions, black layer has been observed on the putter.  Black layer, as the name suggests, is a layer through the rootzone that has stayed saturated for an extended period of time.  Aerobic respiration byproducts include carbon dioxide and water.  However, without the presence of oxygen, the anaerobic bacteria that inhabit this layer produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S as opposed to H20).  Hydrogen sulfide is a toxin more poisonous than hydrogen cyanide and is thought to be an attributing factor to the decline of turf in the area.  Also, black layer prevents the percolation of water through the rootzone, leaving greens soft and slow.  Needle tining (smaller aerification holes) is utilized to reintroduce oxygen back into this layer, hopefully decreasing the amount of sulfur reduction in the soil (sulfur reducing bacteria are extremely sensitive to even trace amounts of oxygen).  To be on the safe side, the crew will perform this practice to all the greens. 
• Walk Mowing Greens- While this is done everyday it becomes even more important when conditions are soft.  The lightweight mowers minimize the chances of scalping the greens.  The only reason it is mentioned now is that the average green set requires the crew member to walk about 4 miles...in already 80 degree heat and 80% humidity. 
• Additional Spray Applications- Because of the increase in disease pressure, an additional spray application will be made on greens to combat the conditions. 

A tip of the hat to the crew is in order.  Battling heat, humidity and play, the crew has kept the course playable and in good shape.  We encourage the members to play but stay hydrated and use caution when carts are again allowed on the course.  Enjoy. 

Mavis Consulting; Topdressing Study

Over the past 3 years, Meadowbrook CC has participated in a topdressing study performed by Brian Mavis of Mavis Consulting.  The purpose of the study was to determine the amount of sand remaining after a topdressing application, the physical properties of that sand and the different means of working the sand into the rootzone. 
During a normal topdressing, sand is applied and than worked into the rootzone through the use of various methods including verti-cut units, drag brushes and irrigation.  When the greens are mowed the following day, the yield from the mowers usually have a certain amount of sand in the baskets that catch the clippings.  For the purposes of the study, the sand and grass clippings are separated after each mowing (members may have noticed the grass piles on cart paths) for 3 days after a topdressing event.  The collected sand is than tested to determine which particle denominations were not worked into the rootzone and the total amount collected over 3 days compared to the amount applied. 
How is this information relevant to members?  Previous articles have mentioned the benefits of topdressing but as a quick reminder, topdressing benefits include;

• Surface Infiltration
• Stability and Firmness
• Smoothness of the Putting Surface
• Green Speeds (not immediately but firmer greens usually are faster greens)

The more the crew knows about how the sand works in, which particles remain and acceptable rates of application, the more efficient they become in the application process.  The study has shown that an insignificant amount (<1%) remains on the green surface after a topdressing.  The physical properties of this sand show that the individual particles remaining are of the coarser variety (larger particles) and it makes senses that these are the hardest to work through the turf canopy.  While these particles are wanted in the rootzone, there is such a small amount of them collected that it can be assumed that the majority have worked their way into the greens.  As this study progresses, the best methods of application and rates can be determined, benefiting the members in terms of minimizing the disruption of the putting surfaces during season.  Enjoy. 

Course Update; The Arrival of Summer

Weather:

Summer heat and spring rains have teamed up over the past two weeks, a combination that usually proves difficult for turf management.  Across metro-Detroit there have been reports of rain incidents in the 3"-5" range, amounts that definitely spell trouble for courses with poor drainage.  This being said, we can consider ourselves lucky at MCC.  The majority of the rains and heavy storms have missed the Northville area (knock on wood) and Meadowbrook's weather station has only recorded 1.6" since the start of these storms.  It's common to assume that turf professionals are happy when it rains.  This is rarely the case and most superintendents prefer a dry season as opposed to a wet one.  Amounts of .2" are desired, but only if it's spread out over a long period of time.  High humidity and heat are obviously concerns as well.  These conditions, coupled with saturated soils, skyrocket disease pressure.  Pythium is a devastating disease and infection becomes likely in conditions similar to the present. 

Greens:Despite the weather, the greens have held up reasonably well.  A new topdressing sand started being utilized 2 years ago and an approximate 1" of this new material has been incorporated into the rootzone.  This sand is coarser and each particle is angular in shape (an important physical property to ensure stability) which benefits infiltration from the surface and also retains the firmness of the green.  After a heavy precipitation event, better surface drainage and firmness has already been observed on greens. 
The new topdressing sand has improved the previously mentioned aspects of greens but can only do so much for green speed after it rains.  To ensure that the greens are still rolling at an acceptable level the crew walk mows and rolls the greens daily.  Rolling has even been increased to combat the wet/soft conditions. 
Members have probably noticed the bulls eye like rings and the small irregular shaped yellow rings on the putting surfaces.  These are the result of two diseases called Fairy Ring and Waitea.  Fairy Ring (the bulls eye like disease) appears as dark green circular shapes.  The darker green circle (or "zone of stimulation") is the result of the pathogen breaking down organic material and making nitrogen stored within the organic matter available to the plant.  This disease will only damage turf during periods of heat or drought stress on the margins of the zone of stimulation.  Waitea appears as the irregular shaped yellow rings on the greens.  Rarely is this disease deadly either, but it is a potent thatch decomposer as well.  This is significant because, if left unchecked, the disease can leave sunken rings on the greens resulting in bumpier putts.  Both of these diseases have limited chemical controls but, on the recommendations of the MSU turf team, the crew has made a fungicide application that is expected to check the infections. 

Around the Course:
High heat, humidity and heavy rains are particularly worrisome for superintendents in regards to their fairways (mentioned in the weather section).  The majority of fairways in southeastern Michigan are not compromised of soils that drain well, namely silts and clays.  Besides the increase in disease pressure, saturated conditions themselves can lead to turf death.  If the rootzone stays saturated, aerobic respiration within the cells of the roots stops.  The plants begin to rely on anaerobic respiration which is extremely inefficient as compared to when oxygen is available.  The turf turns chlorotic (a general yellowing of the leaf blades) as more and more of the root cells die off.  Small, localized spots of this chlorosis are being observed on certain areas of fairways at MCC even with the relatively small amount of rain.  To combat these conditions, the crew aerifies these areas to open up channels for air exchange.  Recovery of aerification holes at this point in the summer is very slow so a smaller tine is utilized to expedite the healing process. 
The 14th and 15th tee perennial beds have been redone, as they were in a state of decline from an aesthetic standpoint.  The new species in these beds include:

• Knockout Roses (Yellow)
• Thyme
• Joe Pye Weed
• Variegated Japaneses Silver Grass
• Cranes Bill Geranium
• Japaneses Forest Grass
• Sedum Ground Cover 

The new Kentucky Bluegrass sod around green complexes was thriving during the month of May and early June.  The crew was hard pressed to keep up with the mowing demands of the grass in these areas but due to the higher temperatures, growth has slowed down.  The dense sod, maintained at a 2" height of cut, is aesthetically pleasing and provides a consistent lie around all the greens.  Prior to sodding, a multitude of different species surrounded the greens and golfers never knew what type of lie they were going to get. 

Tree Care:

Tree care is an on-going task for the crew year round.  During the summer, members will most likely see sprinklers running in the large evergreen beds to negate any possibility of drought conditions.  These chemically damaged trees need to suffer minimal stress in order for them to recover (if recovery is even possible).  Removals are continuing too, and some have significantly changed the look of certain areas.  In particular, the 17th green was surrounded by spruce and pine trees that suffered the brunt of Imprelis and 6 trees were removed from the area.  These removals opened up the 17th green for great views around the course. 

The previous 3 summers have brought extreme weather conditions, ones that do not make it particularly easy to maintain turf.  The summer of 2013 has proven to be mild, until recently, and the crew hopes this isn't a trend for the rest of the season.  During these wet and soft conditions we ask the members to be mindful of where they drive carts as compaction of soils can occur quickly when saturated.  Other than that, stay pin high and enjoy. 

Tree Inventory and Assessment

Last fall, Meadowbrook CC requested and completed a tree inventory of all the trees located on the golf course, club grounds and range.  The total came to 1,467 and each of these were documented in regards to  species, size, condition and recommendations for future care. As members are aware, MCC boasts some truly amazing specimens, for example the black walnut on the 15th fairway, the towering shagbark hickory  behind the 5th green, the oak trees near the 4th hole and a couple remaining elms scattered throughout the course, to name a few. 

The real value of the tree inventory is that it lays out a road map of tree care over the next several years.  With each tree inspected for everything from disease to structural integrity,  the instructions are there to make the tree population truly shine.  The following is a generalized list of some of the issues/cultural practices that the arborist inspected each tree for, issues that homeowners should be aware of as well if they have good specimens or young trees within their property.

• Co-dominant Trunks- 2 leading trunks compromise the integrity of the tree and is rarely pleasing from aesthetic standpoint.  If the tree is mature not much can be done, but young trees with co-dominant headers can be pruned to select the better of the two. 
• Girdling Roots- This refers to roots that are strangling portions of the tree, especially in situations when mulch has been piled too high around the base of the trunk.  Some of these are visible, but they can occur underground as well.  Root girdling is suspected if specific portions of the tree are in decline while the rest appears healthy.  Maple trees are susceptible to girdling roots. 
• Pruning- This refers to a multitude of practices including removal of deadwood, thinning and crown cleaning.  A large number of trees at MCC are going to or presently require pruning so the crew will be kept busy.  
• Disease/Pests- There a variety of diseases and pests that can infest any given species.  To name only a few, the crew has treated evergreens for needlecast (fungal pathogen), Diplodia (fungal pathogen) and the white pine weevil.  Flowering crab apples require fungicide applications for apple scab, while Linden Trees and Roses are susceptible to adult Japanese Beetles and need an insecticide to prevent damage.  
• Structural Integrity- If weakened structure is suspected, a structural evaluation of the tree is a good idea.  This will make the property owner aware of any possible hazards in the future.  The black walnut by the 9th green is a good candidate for a structural evaluation due to its odd branching and heavy fruit that can weight down limbs.
• Removals- An easy solution but one that is not made lightly.  Usually a result from one or a combination of the above issues, these trees present a current or potential danger to important aspects of the course or golfer safety. 

  

  9th Green Walnut Tree; A good candidate for a structural evaluation

The tree population as a whole was scrutinized as well, especially in terms of diversity.  A group of arborist recommend the following diversification guidelines (referring to the taxonomic hierarchy i.e. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species):

• No more than 30% of the same Family
• No more than 20% of the same Genus
• No more than 10% of the same Species

The pine Family, encompassing most of the evergreens on the course, is over the 30% guideline recommended.  Part of this is due to the large, protective blue spruce plantings alongside the driving range but there is a significant percentage of evergreens on the course as well.  The chemical Imprelis highlighted this lack of diversity.  The majority of pines and spruces on the course were damaged by the herbicide, and if removals are necessary, the diversification of the population will suffer too.  To even the population out, when a new planting is necessary, a different species is utilized.  Concolor firs and limber pines are beautiful trees that have similar environmental requirements as blue spruces and white pines, making them suitable replacement trees. 

In conclusion, the tree inventory and assessment could not have come at a better time.  Because of DuPont's chemical debacle, the tree population is in a precarious state, and one that will have to be monitored closely.  With this new tool, the staff will be able to not only navigate this uncharted territory but improve on the quality and health of the other trees on the property. 

 

No-Play Mondays

The crew had an open course on the 3rd of June and took full advantage of it.  Scrambles are an excellent source of income but when the occasional free Monday occurs, the staff can complete a multitude of tasks that normally would be impeded by golfers.  The following is a list of tasks completed today.  Enjoy the course tomorrow (Tuesday, the 4th).

1. Topdressed Greens, Tees and Aprons- With optimum growth temperatures for turf, topdressing becomes even more important in terms of diluting thatch build-up. Topdressing involves the following, all of which were performed on Monday.
1. Verti-Cut- disc like blades bring up thatch and open up channels for sand to work in to.
2. Dragging- a tow behind brush is utilized to work the sand into the profile
3. Watered Greens- using the automatic sprinklers also helps to work sand into the greens profile.
4. Rolled Greens- to smooth the surface after so many disruptive tasks have been performed on the greens
5. Sprayed Greens- Specialty fungicides, fertilizers and plant growth regulators are applied to speed recovery and improve general green health.
2. Fairway Spray Application- With the turf literally jumping out of the ground, a heavier rate of plant growth regulators were applied to slow the growth.  
3. Large Mulch Beds Sprayed with Herbicide- The numerous large mulch beds have all now been sprayed with a combination Round-Up and Surflan, to control existing weeds and prevent future ones.
4. Green & Tee Banks Fertilized- A SLOW release fertilizer was applied to the banks to keep them well supplied with nutrients throughout the summer.  This product also holds an insecticide that will control root-eating grubs in these frequently played areas.
5. Edged Bunkers- To maintain a crisp, manicured look around the bunkers with the current growth explosion, a team of staff members edged all 60+ bunkers on the course.
6. Driving Range Tee- An extensive amount of work was performed on the driving range tee including...
1. Mowing and Weed Whipping
2. Topdressing old hitting stands
3. Seeding old hitting stands
4. Cleaning Flag Yardage Markers
5. Painting Fixed Light Poles
7. Sprayed Austrian, Scotch & Red Pines-  Diplodia is a common, destructive disease on these pine species, a genus that has already been hard hit here at MCC.  A fungicide application was made to prevent further decline.  
8. Mowed Rough- +60 Acres of rough were mowed today so hopefully not as many balls will be lost this week.  
9. Cleaned Sprinkler Heads- While a mundane, tedious task, an important one to keep sprinkler shells free of debris and marked yardages visible.  
10. Mowed/Weed Whipped Clubgrounds
11. Mowed Tee & Green Banks
12. Changed Cups in preparation for the following morning.

Fungicide Trials

Members may have noticed the test plots on the 12th blue tee.  These are a continuation of the fungicide trials from last year, conducted by Ron Detweiler, a researcher from thee Michigan State University.  The purpose is to test a multitude of chemical formulations for their effectiveness on a relatively new fungal disease, Waitea.  Waitea, caused by the pathogen waitea circinata var. circinata, appears as thin yellow rings ranging from a few inches in size to a foot.  Research is still in the first stages for this disease and nothing is more applicable to the field than actual field testing, so the crew is happy to let Ron and his assistant Mark perform their work.  Furthering turf grass knowledge is important to the entire golfing community and we hope to have more information on this disease when Ron concludes his study.  Enjoy. 

Mark applying the various chemicals

Mr. Detweiler in the foreground

Tee Times for Turf

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is starting it's annual Tee Times for Turf benefit program, April 28th and runs through the 12th 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.

Homeowners Lawncare Update

Spring has finally come to southeastern Michigan and a cool April weekend is an excellent time to do yard work.  The following products will assist in this and can be found at Tri-Turf, a local distributor of lawn and golf course materials.  Tri-Turf also boasts knowledgeable salesman, John Stewart and Dan Sheman who are available to answer any questions you might have.  Mention Meadowbrook CC at Tri-Turf and receive $1.00 off any bag purchased.  Tri-Turf is located at 24800 N. Industrial, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48335.
Another useful tool, when considering timing of the applications detailed below, is the Growing Degree Day Tracker available at MSU GDD Tracker.  Enjoy.    

Early April

18-0-4 25% Nutrisphere with .10 Dimension (crab grass control)

Water in within a few days of application

$ 22.95 per bag

Mid May

22-0-5 30% PCSCU with Trimec (weed & feed)

Apply when turf is wet and do not water for 24 hours

$ 23.95 per bag

Mid June

22-0-11 50% UFLEXX

Water in if possible

$ 21.95 per bag

Or

21-0-8 50% PCSCU, .20 Imidacloprid

For grub control, needs to be watered in.

$ 32.25 per bag

End of July

22-0-11 50% UFLEXX

Water in especially if tempertures are 80 or higher

$ 21.95 per bag

Early September

22-0-11 50% UFLEXX

Water in if possible

$ 21.95 per bag

Or

22-0-5 30% PCSCU with Trimec (weed and feed)

Apply when turf is wet and do not water for 24 hours

$ 23.95 per bag

Each bag will cover approximately 11,000 square feet

Always read and follow label directions

Course Conditions Update

A large portion of the crew has been back since the 25th of March and already, Meadowbrook is starting to resemble a golf course again.  Four of the eight green covers have been removed and the turfgrass is in fine agronomic condition.  The remaining four will be removed today, the 28th and with expectations the same as the previous four, in terms of their health.  The uncovered greens survived the winter well too, along with the rest of the course.  Tees, fairways, and complexes are all at satisfactory levels with minor superficial injury by the pathogen microdochium nivale (pink snow mold).  The course will be open Friday, April 5th and we look forward to seeing the members after a long winter.  The use of carts on this date is still yet to be determined pending weather conditions.  Enjoy.

Course Conditions; Preparing for the Opening

The winter of 2012-2013 seems to be hanging on for dear life, with temperatures in the 40s and plunging into the 20s at night.  The weather isn't sufficient to thaw a deep layer of frost in the ground and it looks like a late March, early April date for the opening of the course.  Spoiled by a light winter last year, the crew will have its work cut out for them in preparing for the opener.  There is a lot of effort involved in readying the course for play but Michigan has seen worse winters and the experienced staff is up to the task.

10th Green

Greens, like any other time of the year, are the main focus.  The covers obviously have to be removed but the weather has to cooperate.  With high winds and low night time temperatures, the week of the 18th is not ideal for cover removal.  Next week's weather predictions seem promising and the crew will likely start then.  After covers and bubble wrap are removed the crew needs to work in the remaining topdressing sand from the late fall aerification of greens.  Typical Michigan winter rains helped to work in some of the sand but pockets still remain which the crew, with the help of backpack blowers, will work back into the surface.  Green smoothness will be a concern and to bring them back to an acceptable level will require a heavy rolling.  Despite a couple of extra duties in the spring, late fall aerification has shown great results in terms of moving water off the surface and adding to our sand based rootzone and we hope to continue this new cultural practice in the future.  Most beneficial for the members...late fall aerification negates the need to aerate in the spring, resulting in a smooth putting surface throughout the spring and summer.

Limb Removal

Windstorms, freeze/thaws and heavy snows resulted in numerous limbs and brush down around the course and the club grounds.  Possibly the most time consuming of the spring tasks, the crew will not only be picking up sticks but also cleaning green and tee complexes, mulch beds and checking bunkers for adequate sand depth.  Water features require maintenance as well and the pond surrounds will be trimmed, fountains installed and the water treated with chemical dyes to suppress aquatic weed growth.
Club grounds are a main priority when performing general clean up.  Being the first thing members and guest see when they arrive the area needs to display good aesthetics.  Cleaning, mowing, and mulching are the obvious tasks but perennial plants require maintenance (pruning namely) and annual beds have to be cleaned and prepped for flowers in May.

Crabgrass

With the onset of spring chemical applications have to be considered as well.  Growing degree days (GDD) is a way of determining when to apply herbicides for crabgrass prevention (not its only use either).  This can be found at  Growing Degree Day Tracker and is an excellent tool for homeowners as well.  Poa annua, the main species at MCC, will generate seed heads at any height of cut and to suppress this genetic trait plant growth regulators are used.  Combinations of chemicals are used on greens and fairways to not only suppress seed heads but regulate growth as well.  Limiting growth in the spring saves on the cost of mowing and rolling but is dangerous if the applications carry too far into summer or one is trying to recover from winter injury so temperatures
and conditions have to be watched carefully.
This article is not comprehensive of all the tasks that need to be completed.  Other practices that have to be performed include but are not limited to fertilizing various areas of the course, opening the irrigation system and fungicide applications for snow mold and other colder weather diseases.  The crew is looking forward to the start of a new season and hopefully mother nature allows us to start bringing the course up to Meadowbrook standards.  Enjoy. 

Pumphouse Maintenance

In previous articles the importance of the pump house and irrigation system has been sited time and time again.  Because of the dry golfing seasons, extensive use and water content, two of the pumps were malfunctioning and needed maintenance.  Removal of these pumps is a job in itself, in which a crane is needed to lift the 2500 pumps through the pump house roof. 
The pumps draw water from a "wet well" beneath the pumphouse, which in turn is fed by the pond on the 4th fairway.  The water coming into the well is high in magnesium, calcium and iron.  These substances bind to other sediment and minerals resulting in hard water.  The four pumps sit in this water and over time, heavy sediment builds up on the surface, interior and intakes of the pumps.  Clogging the intakes and intake screens puts undue stress on motor and pump impellers alike, and is what caused the number two pump and sustain pump to malfunction last fall.  While the sustain pump was salvageable with just an extensive dousing in muriatic acid, the larger number two pump had to be replaced.  

Before

After

The heavy sediment build up is apparent on the sustain pump.  This sediment also resided on the inside of the pipe as well, narrowing the diameter of the pipe and again putting stress on the pump motor.
Besides the pumps, the control panel that monitors and operates the pumps had to be shut down as well.  The radiator that cools the control panel went down in the fall but the concern wasn't as great because the daytime temperatures started to cool off.  However, in the heat of summer it will become a necessity and is being repaired.
Luckily, the winter of 2013 proved much longer than the previous year.  Summer will not allow the irrigation system to be down for a sustained period of time so it is best to perform these checks now.  The slideshow illustrates the process from pulling the pump to replacing them.  Enjoy. 

Tree Maintenance; Part II

As of the second week of February, the maintenance staff has overseen the planting of eight trees around the course, including two beautiful concolor firs, two spruces and four white pines.  To determine planting sites multiple factors were considered.  A golf course architect and arborist were consulted for new tree locations.  The factors they took into account included safety, aesthetics, future tree health and drainage.   
For example, the mulch bed on the right side of the third fairway protects the seventh tee from errant shots.  There was extensive damage to the pines in this bed and five were removed, leaving the tee exposed to the east.  Three large white pines were spaded into the mulch bed along with two smaller spruce trees to block any slices coming from the third tee.  Also of note, the smaller maple tree to the left of the champ tee on the first hole has been removed and replanted behind the 15th tee.  The tree was, and is, in good health but caused too many issues in regards to maintenance and turf health.  Eventually, the maple's root system would have outgrown the area and out-competed the turf on the tee and it's surrounds. 
The large pine stand between the first and ninth hole was devastated by chemical injury and seven white pines were removed from the area.  Younger, talented golfers will sometimes try to drive the ninth green, putting golfers on the first fairway and cart path at risk.  These white pines somewhat protected the area but balls still got through.  To deter these shots (that have an extremely low rate of success) two concolor firs were planted to the northwest of the blue tee, directly between tee and green. 
Large tree planting requires the use of a tree spade and for members and readers that haven't seen one in action, the following slide show depicts the process. Enjoy.

Tree Maintenance; Part I

Since the weather has turned cold and the ground has frozen over, the staff at Meadowbrook CC has been removing injured trees.  The majority of these trees have seen extensive herbicide damage from the chemical Imprelis, and were not expected to recover fully.  They are being removed now to avoid further structural damage that could pose safety issues.
West Side Forestry has been contracted to remove trees that require the skill of a climber or bucket, however the rest of have been taken down in-house.  To date, almost 20 trees have been removed, limbed, chipped and their respective stumps grinded and refilled.  The majority of these trees have been White pines but a few Austrian pines and Blue spruces have been removed as well.  Some of the biggest trees marked for removal are still yet to come so the crew will be kept busy throughout the winter months. 
Still on the horizon is the planting of the replacement trees, which will start the week of the 18th of January. The heavy trucks used to move the large trees need a minimum of 4-5 inches of frozen ground to avoid doing unacceptable damage to the course.  Below is a slide show highlighting the tree work done so far.  Enjoy.