Bentgrass Nurseries

The "dead" areas on the 15th and 16th hole are being established to the variety of bentgrass that will be utilized on new fairway and green surrounds for the renovation.  These areas were picked because the irrigation necessary is already present.  Having an on-site source of sod will be a huge advantage when we start growing in the new course.  To establish the new grass the staff killed the existing turf (w/ round up) and utilized an overseeder to seed in the new bentgrass.  An overseeder creates slits in the ground and drops seed into them, ensuring seed-to-soil contact (a necessity for germination).  The areas were then fertilized and watered.  Members will notice water running frequently here because seedling do not have the root structure that an established stand of turf does.  It's imperative that golfers do not hit shots from these areas and drop zones will be present shortly.

Also, half of our old poa annua nursery has already been converted to a bentgrass greens nursery.  We are in the process of converting the other half to bentgrass and already have germination occurring. 

15th Hole Bentgrass Nursery

Bentgrass Seedling under germination blanket in old Poa annua Nursery

June Weather

The month of June has been wet...possibly the understatement of the century.  Since June 1st MCC has received 4.62 inches of rain and more is predicted at the end of the current week.  With the high humidity, water is not leaving and disease pressure is skyrocketing. 
To combat these conditions the staff has suspended all night watering, increased fungicide outputs and relied heavily on hand mowing green and tee surrounds.  Syringing greens hasn't even become necessary due to the high humidity.  Windy conditions are ideal after heavy rains because they stimulate aerobic activity and in turn dry things out but rarely after these rains has the wind helped us out. 
The only time the irrigation system has been utilized is to water in chemicals that need to reach the soil profile quickly or they lose their effectiveness.  Namely, insecticides and wetting agents.  For example, the staff recently applied a wetting agent on greens and fairways to release tension between soil particles and allow these areas to percolate quicker. 
While these saturated conditions exist, the crew appreciates the memberships cooperation in regards to cart etiquette and respectful golf (particularly fixing ball marks on saturated greens).  We hope to get through this pseudo monsoon season and lets all cross our fingers for a drier July. 

Standing water 7.5 hours after precipitation event (the joys of heavy clay soils)

Seedhead Regulation

Poa annua is a unique plant in that it can still produce seedheads when mowed at fairway, tee and green height.  To mitigate this nuisance, the staff has applied a chemical that inhibits these seed heads from forming.  The chemical, Embark, is effective but has some side effects.  The main one golfers will notice is the discoloration of the turf from it's normal shades of green.  Seedheads can lead to slower green speeds, bumpy putts and an undesirable white hue to fairways. To negate the discoloration, the staff has applied high amounts of nitrogen and iron but some discoloration will still be visible.  The turf will come out of regulation in 3-4 weeks and the seedhead flush will end around the same time too.  Enjoy. 

Seedheads on a Green

Fairway Aerification

The staff is currently aerifying fairways and we hope to have the task completed as soon as weather permits.  Aerification relieves compaction (particularly important with the heavy clay soils at MCC), encourages root growth and allows for beneficial gas exchange with the atmosphere.  Poa annua will never achieve the same root mass that creeping bentgrass sports but aerifying will help the turf through the hotter summer months.  This will also help the areas on fairways that were damaged over the winter that the staff intends to start seeding soon.  We apologize for the inconvenience this causes and appreciate the memberships patience.

Aerifying the 16th Fairway

Employee Profile

2015 marks John Drielts 30th year as a staff member here at Meadowbrook Country Club.  Rain or shine, John has never missed a day of work or been late for a shift!  His responsibilities include a multitude of tasks but the biggest are course set-up each day (cup cutting, tee marker placement etc.) and functioning as our irrigation technician. John has changed over 65000 cups and fixed a variety of irrigation lines, sprinklers and valves. 
John was born and raised in metro Detroit, graduated from Catholic Central High School and went on to attend Lawrence Technological Institute.  An avid Detroit sports fan, John can recite from memory a vast amount of statistics regarding the Tigers, Lions and Wings.  The staff would like to thank John for his long years of service and dedication.

John "Iron Man" Drielts

Opening the Course

Welcome back Members! The past month has been busy preparing the course for the opening so we apologize for the lack of new articles.  The winter, while seemingly long, was nothing like last year and the course is in good shape.  Aerification holes are still somewhat present on greens from late last fall but with climbing temperatures and more sunlight, they are expected to heal over quickly. 


To prepare the course for the opening the staff has a multitude of tasks to complete, as detailed in the list below. 

• Uncover Greens
• Roll Greens- Smooth the surface in preparation of the first cut
• Mow Greens- Generally an easy task but the topdressing sand used to protect greens over the winter has to be worked into the soil profile or used to fill open aerification holes before a mower can be utilized. 
• Spray Greens- A healthy shot of fertilizer and fungicides with specific activity towards cold- season pathogens. 
• Mow Tees
• Spray Tees
• Mow Fairways
• Clean chips from stump grinding, back fill the holes, pack and level to grade
• Prep these stump holes for seed or sod (sodding has already started but due to cold temperatures seeding will be an on-going task throughout April and possibly May)
• Debris Clean up
• Rake Bunkers, fix washouts from the spring thaw
• Pressurize the irrigation system
• Fix irrigation leaks (almost inevitable to have a couple leaks every spring if the ground has frozen deep enough)
• Clean mulch beds surrounding the Clubhouse
• Prune back Rose Bushes (+500 on the property!)
• Clean and place all golf accessories (flag sticks, tee markers, ball washers etc.)

The list could go on but as one can see, preparing the course for golf after winter is a daunting task.  Thankfully, we have a veteran and very skilled crew returning this year and they are more than up for the task.  See you on the course, enjoy. 

Course Update; Mid-Winter

Temperatures plummeting this month have been reminiscent of last winter but overall the season has not been as harsh.  Rain/Thawing events in early January left minimal standing water (read: potential ice) on any shortly mowed surfaces.  Since that time period, few days have been above freezing and only small amounts of liquid precipitation followed.  The potential for an ice layer or formation on greens is slim to none but there is only one way to know for sure.

This week, staff members removed patches of snow on greens to see what conditions lay beneath.  What they found was encouraging...ice layers or sheets were almost non-existent on greens, and when ice was observed it appeared to be permeable, allowing for air movement.  Also of note, minimal ice was observed on top or underneath the permeable covers the staff used this year on certain greens.  These observations are in no way conclusive but the crew is optimistic for the spring. 

4th Green Note: minimal ice formation

15th Green Note: Evergreen cover devoid of ice in a problematic area

The snow has slowed the Tree Management initiatives set forth for this winter but the staff has still made excellent progress.  Tree removals are nearing completion and while that is the largest portion of the task; stump grinding, cleaning and prepping these areas for seed/sod still remain. 

In-House Honey Locust Removal next to the 11th Tee

Contracted Hickory Tree Removal behind the 5th Green



Equipment and golf course accessory maintenance continues as well.  With equipment so readily accessible and not in use, the winter is a perfect time to perform preventative maintenance on carts, mowers, etc.  This is an effective way to extend the life of equipment and minimize the chances of a breakdown mid-season. 

Utility Vehicle Maintenance

Refinishing and re-staining Tee benches



Continuing Education

The Michigan Turfgrass Conference was recently held at Michigan State University.  This annual conference offers an informative educational schedule geared towards increasing awareness, learning and general interest in the turf management industry.  It also provides a great environment for networking and allows for a direct line of communication between researchers and turf managers out in the field.  Education doesn't stop upon receiving a diploma and the staff at MCC would like to thank the MTF for again putting on this conference.

Tree Management Program

The tree management program, set forth by the Tree Inventory performed by our arborist Julie Stachecki, is now in it's 3rd year and the crew has started some of the removals scheduled for this winter.  The reason for these removals is not aesthetics or shot strategy but is instead based upon tree health, agronomic health and safety. 



The vast majority of the removals are in poor health and/or pose a safety risk.  There are multiple ways a tree can decline but a prevalent reason the staff has noticed here at MCC is the formation of cavities (hollowed, rotting sections) within the trunk and large branches of our trees, as depicted in the picture below. 

These cavities negatively effect the structural integrity of the tree and are therefore in danger of falling on their own.  By removing them in a controlled setting they won't pose a danger to members during the golf season, particularly trees in high areas of play. 



Another common health problem among our evergreen trees is chemical damage by the herbicide Imprelis.  Even though applied 3 years ago, this chemical mutates the new growth (in the picture below), causes discoloration, needle lost and in most cases leads to the death of the tree.

Members have probably noticed the worst of these trees around the course.  Another issues that these trees pose is, as they decline, they release pheromones that insects can sense and will congregate (and feed) on that tree.  This isn't directly bad as the tree is already dying but these insects will then move to other trees in the vicinity, possible healthy specimens. 





Trees and turf compete for the same things; water, nutrients, etc...When trees are small and immature the turf can still be vigorous, healthy and aesthetically pleasing around them.  However, as trees grow and there root systems develop they can start to out compete the turf.  Mature trees cast large amounts of shade too, obviously limiting the photosynthetic rate of grass.

The majority of trees at MCC are classified as semi-mature, mature or overly mature so they have reached or are approaching their full size.  Although stated in a previous article, this is very troublesome when large trees are near shortly mown surfaces (i.e. greens, fairways and tees).  In an effort to give a consistent playing surface, improve vigor and therefore improve the turfs ability to withstand periods of extreme environmental conditions, multiple trees around greens were removed mid-Fall as members have probably noticed.


We hope that your holidays were enjoyable and encourage the membership to stay tuned for future articles throughout the winter regarding the golf course.  Enjoy. 

Preperations for Course Closure

The golf season is coming to a close for the 2014 season and the maintenance staff will soon start preparing the course for winter.  After the hellacious winter of last year, Meadowbrook will be "put to bed" a bit differently this time around.  The main area of focus will be the greens, and the process is detailed in the list below.

1. Raising the Height of Cut- Greens have been raised from their original .120" to .180".  Turf with higher canopies seem to be able to fend off ice and winterkill damage better. 
2. Fungicide Applications- Pink and Gray Snow Mold are the prevalent diseases during this time of year, actually being able to thrive under snow cover.  Fungicide applications are made as late as possible to ensure the longest residual protection. 
3. Late Fall Aerification/Heavy Sand Topdressing- This isn't the most common of practices but we've seen excellent results in terms of amount of sand that can be applied and its winterkill prevention properties.  The staff buries the greens under approximately .20" of sand and then solid tine the surface.  A layer still exists after the aerficiation and channels of pure sand are now present to remove water away from the surface in the event of a mid-winter thaw. 
4. Potassium Application- Potassium strengthens cell walls and hardens off the plant before winter.  An application of 1lbs of K/M has been made on the green surfaces. 
5. Impermeable Winter Covers- A combination of bubble wrap and heavy duty impermeable tarps are used on 8 of the greens most prone to winter damage here at the club.  These have been almost bulletproof until last winter, when damage did occur. 
6. Evergreen Covers- The staff acquired these in the spring to aid in the recovery of the greens.  We now intend to use them as another form of winter protection on greens without the impermeable covers on them. 

A large portion of the winterkill from last season was due to an excessive amount of shade on the greens from surrounding trees.  The worst trees have been removed as the members may have noticed, however there are still shade issues that exist and the staff will be monitoring these areas closely over the winter months for ice formation and heavy snow layers. 

The tees will receive a similar treatment in terms of topdressing and aerification, a heavy layer followed with solid tining.  Snow mold applications are made on all low mowed turf (i.e. tees and fairways).  The pictures below show some of the processes.  We wish the membership a happy holiday season and to keep their fingers crossed for a milder winter.

Pink Snow Mold

3rd Green Impermeable Cover

Fairway Aerification

The staff will be taking advantage of the sunny and cool weather by aerifying fairways.  This task is completely weather dependent but the goal is to have all fairways completed by early next week (the week of the 28th).  After a very wet golfing season combined with compacted, heavy clay soils this practice is more important than ever.  Aerification relieves compaction, allows for more air exchange with the atmosphere and overall promotes root growth and plant vigor.  We ask for and appreciate the membership's patience during this time period, thank you.  Enjoy. 

Sunlight vs. Shade

With days being shorter, nights getting colder and some of the early turning trees showing color, it can only mean two things...Spartan domination of the Big Ten and Autumn is coming.  Fall heralds a multiple of changes to our environment but the biggest effecting turfgrass is sunlight. 
Sunlight is at a premium during the fall months and essential for turfgrass to develop enough hardiness to survive the winter.  Everything the plant does during this time of year is a preparation for winter.  Besides the path of the sun as it moves through the sky, the only detriment to light reaching the turf is shade from trees.  Even if the tree only shades for a couple hours it becomes significantly detrimental to turf due to the shortness of the day. 
On the other end of the spectrum, during the late winter and spring months, sunlight is again limited (but becoming more prevalent).  Shaded areas melt snow/ice slower and retain the amount and duration of frost in the soil profile.  This exposure to prolonged cold temperatures and ice build up is a leading factor in winterkill. 

Note the injured section is directly in the shape of the Spruce tree behind the 10th Green

Sunlight is also a factor mid-season.  Poa annua can handle shade better than bentgrass due to higher and more efficient photosynthetic rates but it does have a breaking point.  Not only does the tree canopy limit sunlight, but tree roots compete for the same moisture and nutrients that the turf requires.

Density loss on the 14th Fairway due to Maple Tree 

Trees do add majesty and beauty to a golf course.  They inspire and are key components in most ecosystems.  However, since golf is played on the ground, the needs of the turf should come first.

Course Update; August 2014

The last weeks in July and the beginning of August have been great for all aspects of the golf course.  Relatively cool days have made golfing enjoyable and provided the staff with opportunities to push green speed, detail the course and keep up with mowing requirements.  After the spring and winter, the weather has been a blessing. 
The injured greens from the past winter seem to be getting less and less susceptible to the damage done by golfer traffic.  The 15th and 17th green, the worst greens coming out of winter, are handling the greater play demands very well.  The Men's Invitational did put the new bentgrass to the test but it stayed true and has recovered.  On the subject of the Invitational, the staff received many compliments from members about course conditions and would like to extend it's own gratitude towards the membership in terms of their patience and understanding in this most trying of years. 
A new practice has been performed on the greens over the past weeks and the staff has been very pleased with the results.  Brush Kits were installed on the walk behind green mowers in order to achieve a truer surface.  The brushes "lift" the turf up and the resulting cut removes more grass.  This practice of standing the turf up also removes more thatch within the turf canopy.  With less potential for thatch, the need for topdressing decreases (decreases, not stops) resulting in less surface disruption. 
The seasonally cool weather has left the golf course extremely GREEN.  Rarely do all the areas of the course show this type of color in late July and early August.  Ample rainfall has also attributed to this. 
One of the largest storm events in recent history hit the Detroit area on Monday, August 13th.  Meadowbrook received 2.4 inches of rain which was actually lucky.  A number of other areas received +4 inches of rainfall.  Nonetheless, the 2.4 inches here cancelled a Monday outing, closed the course until 12:00 the next day, washed out bunkers and effectively stopped all mowing practices except greens for two days.  While rare, Meadowbrook has received large amounts of rain like this in the past, particularly in the last 5-6 years.  The following slideshow depicts just what a heavy rain does to the course. 

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. 

New Flags

Members have probably noticed the new flags while out enjoying a round of golf.  They feature a checkered pattern and the silhouette of Willie Park Jr., the architect for the original 6 holes that Meadowbrook CC started with back in 1916.  The color scheme denotes the same pin position except the solid white flag is now a green checkered flag. 

Green Recovery; Comparison Photos II

Where we stand as of May 29th, 2014.  Enjoy

Traffic on Recovering Greens

Germination and young plants have been observed on all injured areas of closed greens.  While mother nature is still not playing ball, we would appreciate the memberships help when these living carpets are reopened. 
Young plants are particularly susceptible to traffic or wear.  Despite the necessary cultural practices that we perform, the only other traffic that a green will receive is from golfers putting on them.  While we cannot eliminate putting from the game, golf shoe selection we can influence.  The staff would greatly appreciate if the membership could pick a non-aggressive type shoe if buying a new pair.  Here is an example...

Aggressive spikes, such as the "Black Widow", can easily tear non-established turf from the ground.  Here is an example...

If members could refrain from these types of spikes, it would be very beneficial to the injured greens once they are reopened.  Thank you.

Green Recovery; Comparison Photos

To better illustrate the recovery process, the following slideshow gives a great comparison as to where we stand now as opposed to a month ago. 

Frank Beckmann podcast with Dr. Kevin Frank of Michigan State University

Dr. Kevin Frank and Frank Beckmann had a very interesting talk on the radio recently regarding the state of the golf courses in the Metro-Detroit area.  The following video has that podcast along with a slideshow depicting the conditions here at Meadowbrook CC.  Enjoy. 



Homeowners Lawn Care Update

Tri-Turf, a distributor of chemicals, seed and various lawn care products located in Farmington Hills is again offering a spring time sale on seasonal fertilizers and pesticides.  As usual, if the members mention Meadowbrook CC they will receive a $1 off a bag.  After a grisly winter like the one we just endured, getting your lawn as healthy as possible before summer is important for it's survival, let alone the aesthetics.  Enjoy.