Cruel Summer

Rocky areas on most older courses have hard fescue that simply goes dormant in extreme conditions - nothing corrective is necessary. Enjoy the color contrast!

Records are made to be broken they say and as steamy summer conditions go, 2025 was no disappointment.  Turf managers tend to have long memories on seasonal variations in terms of trends and norms. What we saw between July and August went down, for some, as one of the most difficult grass growing periods they've encountered. When it stays too hot for too long, some species just don't make it. Typical heat in the northeast comes in waves as passing cool fronts extinguish prolonged heating events.  Typical heat waves last 6 to 7 consecutive days with temps in the 90s. This year we saw 16 in a row according to our weather station.

Mainline fitting dislodged due to root encroachment from a nearby tree searching for water. When it's grass versus trees, trees win. 

Heatwaves of this length are still rare enough to be good stress tests for management programs.  The function of irrigation efficiency, fleet maintenance, fertility, labor size, growth regulators and pesticides are 'pressure tested' more than on a typical year.  Otherwise, we're fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who know this property like their own and our older irrigation system, mostly, hung in there while operating above it's normal demand. It's a summer like this that we see the work done behind the scenes pay off. 

Asphalt Jungle 

Beat up and busted - old 8 cartpath

New 8 cartpath

Paving was finally completed near the end of July and the course escaped major paving equipment damage. Spoil (fill) from digging out the old cartpaths was used to begin the new privacy berm on 9 tee.  The biggest challenge turned out to be germiniating seed along the edges during the record heat and zero rainfall. 

Germination was slow

A little rain and patience

We've added some 'rumble strips' on the insides of turns. These cobblestones are intended to remind drivers where the edge of the path is while still allowing grass to grow inbetween. It's an attractive alternative to stakes, signs, or a wheel rut.  

Cart defense 

Subtle and effective

A small flower bed was added around the redbud tree at the Y-intersection near 3 tee. Seasonal flowers will eventually be added. 

Y not..

Shade loving plantings incoming

Cut and Dried

Assistant, Mason Wicks demoing the Eclipse - Jacobsen's lithium-ion unit. 

Despite May and June being above average for rainfall, July and August were well below. What dryness does for playing conditions is multifold with the primary benefit being increased firmness.  When we control the amount of water a surface sees, we control how well the mowers cut.  This in turn allows better consistency in ball roll and overall  conditioning.  Provided all other puzzle pieces are in position, drier summers usually yield better turf.  Under reliable irrigation, it's the preferred situation for greens quality and fairway performance. 

Due Diligence Demos

All electric greens mower - almost silent

We've been busy this summer testing the latest machinery that will eventually replace our current fleet.  We're doing this 2 years ahead of time to become familiar with the pros and cons of each unit. We have the time to shop around, explore our options and most importantly find the best machinery for the course. 

Fairway mowers are quieter, smaller, and lighter

Rollers are heavier and faster

50 hp tractor in sheeps clothing - Toro Outcross

Bobcat has entered the chat 

Of all the mowers, rollers, carts, and tractors we're looking at, the most intriguing unit is the one currently driving itself around the course.  Autonomous mowers are making a big splash nationally and have been used internationally for the last 10 years. As companies dial in their performance and jockey for position in this emerging market, we're watching the early models with great interest as their final form becomes more refined.   

Husquavarna Ceora automower

Within the next 10 years we expect all new equipment will be hybrids of conventional & autonomous technology. They'll be offered with a choice of a 'standard package' or 'autonomous package' similar to how we buy cars with different trim choices/features.  Conventional machines will have the ability to operate themselves when needed (spring and fall when staffing is lowest) and with the flip of a switch, they'll be useable by a human when staffing allows, or if there's technical or unforseen issues that take the autonomous ability offline - it will be the best of both worlds.

 **Toro is already offering a package like this which is something we'll be exploring.  

Scenarios with electrical, or network outages and overall quality,  durability/serviceability raise questions whenever new technology is introduced.  When dealing with anything that's purely autonomous, contigency plans for those times need to be worked through by manufacturers as they're experienced.  As with auto-driving vehicles, fail-safes need to be available that allow for manual operation.  With more time and investment, what's ready for market in 2 more years might be closer to what we're hoping for. Time will tell!

The current experience we're all dealing with with autonomous machinery and AI feels something akin to what might've crossed people's minds when automobiles first started replacing horses in society. There's so much promise and opportunity (and uncertainty)  on the way that will transform how business is done. We like to think it wouldn't replace employees as much as allow more work to be done with the same labor hours, similar to what the world saw at the beginning of the 20th century.    

Maintenance Happens

Re-building 2 green - 2007 

The curse of a full membership with a waiting list is favorite tee times are at a premium. Finding the perfect time to play can be frustrating if mornings are what you prefer or you have time constraints.  Complicating this, as always, is course maintenance.   

Our goal is to keep encounters pleasant and brief if they can't be avoided.  Although it may look like we're unaware of your presence, it's more likely we know you're there, how full the tee sheet is, what time you tee'd off, where you should be, how many are in your group/league, and if you can reach us with the club in your hand.  If we're unaware of you, it's our fault and our responsibility. 

If you come upon a maintenance operation that's ongoing like handwatering, or mowing rough or fairways, it's likely going to last as long as you're on that hole. Golfers are entitled not to be interrupted by the same operation more than once. Although it can seem it, we make a point to not follow groups.  To help with this, we work in reverse order when possible so as not to bother the same group twice.  In return, we expect a wave or eye contact and a 'fore' if paths do cross.  In the event a maintenance operation can't wait for you (handwatering a troubled green is a common one),  you'll have to figure a way through that's both safe for us and for you. Stopping for each and every group can turn a 15 minute job into a 2 hour one and we just can't do that.  When conditions warrant and something is time sensitive, we ask for some deference and empathy when a grounds employee has no choice but to be in the way in order to get their job done.