Greens Aerification: Spring 2014

Greens aerification has been completed. We made .4 inch holes spaced 2 inches apart and then topdressed enough to fill in the holes. We also fertilized the greens to aid in their recovery.

Poa annua

We have noticed some speckling of Poa annua on our greens. This is due to our approaches and surrounds being heavily contaminated by Poa annua, the seeds of which are often tracked onto our greens by both equipment and foot traffic. Last year we re-grassed parts of the approaches on #13 and #15 in an effort to combat the contamination. We are also hand picking Poa annua from our greens daily, as well as chemical treatments every other week.

Poa annua contamination on hole #6

Bunker Renovation: Finished Product

Fleetwood has completed renovations on several holes. Our new high density bunker sand has been added and the bunkers on these holes are now playable. The new sand will resist compaction and reduce "fried egg" lies. Please note that we will maintaining the new bunkers in a different fashion; we will be keeping the edges smooth and hand raking the bases. Maintaining the bunkers in this way will further resist compaction and "fried egg" lies. 

Left green side bunker on #13 

Sledding Damage on # 5 Blue Tee

Sledding damage #5 blue tee

Bunker Renovation

The bunker renovation project has resumed. Fleetwood resumed their work and are making excellent progress. They have added gravel to the bunkers on #1,#2 and #5 which leaves only 6 more bunkers on the course to add gravel to. They will continue to spray the polymer as soon as the weather permits.

Adding gravel to #1

Slice-Seeding Winter Damage

Due to the excessively long and cold winter our fairways and tees suffered some damage. The damage was mainly a result of ice developing earlier in the winter and persisting until very recently. In order to fix this we have begun to aggressively overseed the damaged areas. We used a technique known as "Slice-seeding" to maximize the effectiveness of our efforts. We use a large machine that will cut shallow slits into the ground and then drop seed into these slits. This process maximizes soil to seed contact, assuring that the seed has an ideal environment from which to grow.

Slice-Seeding #1 Fairway

Unfortunate Weather at The Ipswich Country Club

An unfortunate weather system has rolled in bringing with it frigid air and a coating of icy slush that has covered our golf course. This weather will slow grass growth to a crawl and delay some species of turfgrass from coming out of their winter dormancy. Warmer weather is in the forecast for this weekend and we hope that it will be here to stay. 

#18 Fairway early Wednesday morning.

Tree Work: Clubhouse and #16

We have recently carried out tree work at the clubhouse and on #16. We took two trees down at the clubhouse that were located on the center island. One of the trees was a liability risk and the other was greatly inhibiting growth of the surrounding turf. The stumps were ground shortly after the trees fell and the holes are due to be filled with fresh loam and seed within the next few days. now that the trees are gone, the turf on the island will no longer have to compete with them for water, sunlight, and nutrients. This summer the turf should be greener and healthier than ever.

Our hired Arborist preparing to cut the top off the large pine that was at the clubhouse

Moments after the top was cut. You can see it falling to the right of the trunk.

The rotten root flair of the large pine at the clubhouse.

We consulted with the Greens Committee and together we decided to showcase the large oak tree to the right of #16 green. In order to do so we had to remove several trees in front of it. The oak tree also needed to be pruned and cabled. The result of the work has substantially changed the look of the hole. The right side is much more open and the oak tree stands on its own. The turf will grow more readily in this area without the trees as well. 

The beautiful oak tree on #16 being pruned and cabled.

A different vantage point of the oak tree on #16. In this picture you can see how open this side of the hole is now without the trees.

The view from behind #16 green.