Greens Opening

Operating Instructions
By now, most people are aware the 9th and 17th greens were opened Saturday morning.
These two greens have areas that are still recovering.Those areas will  be roped-off, or covered in burlap, to  help the seedlings along and prevent any damage from foot traffic.  Until all areas of these greens are fully in play, give yourselves, or your opponent the permission to move the ball so there's a clear putt at the hole (obviously no closer to the hole). 4 green is catching up for lost time and continues to improve daily. I expect a total recovery and opening in less than two weeks as warmer temperatures arrive.  You're patience, as a group, with the grow-in has been greatly appreciated by the grounds crew, Greens Chairman, and me personally. It won't be much longer before the damage from the winter of 2014 exists only as a bad memory.

9 green with new grass enough to support dew

Plugging and seeding continue in the barest areas on 17

Timber!
"Trees and grass don't mix" is as true for golf courses as it is for our own yards.  This is evident anywhere human activity occurs on grass grown under shade.  Grass thins out as it tries to compete with tree roots for water and nutrients and constant tree shade hinders it's ability to photosynthesize enough fuel to keep pace with any traffic. The results are predictable. It's a double-edged sword as large trees look dramatic and add ambiance to any setting they're a part of. We get attached to them and at the same time wonder why we can't keep the damn grass alive and healthy looking underneath them.
As Superintendents we endeavor to improve the growing environment for grasses (where the game is played) without radically altering the character and aesthetics of a hole.  The trees at Tuscarora give it its charm. By no means do we want to ruin that or cut more than we have to. Over time, as expected, trees that didn't used to affect an area, gradually become a concern (as we see on hole 4 as well as a handful of tees).  When we suspect an ailing green's problem may involve shading by a nearby tree, that tree's days are numbered.

Shade analysis is done, these days, with computer modelling. This takes the guess work, and emotions, out of the decision for removal.  To some, removing trees for any reason is looked at with suspicion.  Tuscarora remains one of the most heavily treed courses, if not THE most heavily treed course in the area, due, in no small part  to our regular re-planting program (as we lose our Austrian Pines to old age and disease).  

By this winter I hope to have a small list, to be reviewed by the greens advisory committee, that recommends candidates for removal that are affecting the health of greens and tees that they're shading.    

  

Standing on the collar of 4 green looking east

Looking west over 13 green after removal - better air circulation and less shade for 4 

Aerifying
We'll be starting to aerify the greens with micro-tines over the next week (last week in May).  The holes will be filled with sand and be barely visible within a few days.  We do this three times a year. Our first was in April. Our last will be in September.  Last year was our first try at this three-times-per-year method and it was a success in not disturbing member play and achieving the goal of thatch removal and compaction relief.

Odds and Ends

• Now is the time to apply your crabgrass control if you haven't already done so. 
• The pond fountain is ready to go as soon as National Grid says we're hooked in.
• Greens will start to firm up and smooth out as we begin our weekly topdressing.