Course Update; July 2014

Summer is in full swing and the maintenance staff is pleased to see the course being utilized more and more.  Untimely and heavy rain events have definitely made this season difficult for golf but we appreciate the membership's determination to come out and play.  While on the subject of weather, the average precipitation amounts for the months of April through June is 9.65" historically for the Northville area.  During this same period, Meadowbrook has received 13" of rain, approaching a 50% increase.  For a course with poor draining soils, this is in no way beneficial in regards to rounds, green speed, etc.  But the show must go on as they say and the staff is bound and determined to provide the best golf course possible on a daily basis. 

Injured greens from this past winter have been a major deterrent when trying to provide quality conditions day in and day out.  While great strides have been made on these putting surfaces since the end of winter, they are still in a very precarious state.  Juvenile plants just do not have the tolerance for foot traffic that mature turf does.  It is evident on the 15th and 17th green after a heavy play day.  The new bentgrass is beaten down, off color and overall very weak.  Even though these greens appear in better condition, especially relative to late April, they are still very susceptible.  The staff will constantly be monitoring injured greens throughout the course of the season to ensure their continued use (nobody wants to go back to temporaries).  It has been said multiple times but the best way the membership can help out is making the proper footwear choice.  Non-aggressive spikes are a must if damaged greens are to remain open all season. 

Another major concern of the staff regarding greens is consistency.  With young plants, our normal mowing height of .120" cannot be achieved.  We have raised the height of cut to .130" on all greens, in order to give the juvenile plants a better shot at making it through the summer.  The 15th and 17th green can only sustain a cutting height of .140", another reason for raising the cutting height on other greens (similar cutting heights=similar putting conditions). 

Besides the greens, the rest of the course seems to be fighting off the effects of this past winter.  Tees have returned to acceptable agronomic health and the few spots on fairways that have not recovered are in the process of being sodded.  Once again, we appreciate the memberships patience in this most trying of years and hope to see you out on the course.  Enjoy.