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.