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.