New Rough Mower

We received a new Toro 4500D rough mower. This will greatly aid us in keeping up with our rough mowing this summer. 

Golf Course Maintenance Update

June 1 came and our temperatures finally reached 90 degrees.  It is rare in Houston to go the whole month of May without any 90-degree days.  The last week of May did bring some much-needed rain.  The dreaded cracks in the deep rough were starting to spread but with the 7 inches of rain we received May 26-28 the are closed back up and the grass is really growing.  This is evident by the amount of grass clipping in the rough.  Once we get caught back up mowing rough, the amount of clippings will decrease.

In May we started using an aquatic vegetation specialist to keep our golf course ponds clean of algae, plankton and aquatic weeds.  The water quality in the ponds has increased significantly and over the next few months there will be a gradual decrease in the amount of weeds around the edges of the ponds.  He does use a boat to apply products to the ponds so please do not be alerted when you see an aluminum boat driving around the ponds.  He is not fishing and he does have clearance to be on property.

Monday June 16th and Tuesday the 17th we are aerifying the greens and verticutting the fairways for the second time this year.  We are using the same process we have used the last 3 summers in June and August.  We remove a .5inch core every 1.5inches throughout the whole green.  The material is removed, sand is applied to fill the holes and the greens are rolled and fertilized to achieve a quick recovery.  Aerification is necessary a minimum a 3 times a year to remove enough organic/thatch material to keep up with what the greens naturally produce.  By removing this material and replacing it with sand we increase air and water exchange throughout the green profile.  The benefits are increased rooting, quicker infiltration of water, a firmer putting surface once healed, decreased compaction and an overall healthier green.  The healthier the turf, the better they can withstand the extreme temperatures we experience in Houston.  Our final greens aerification of this year will take place August 11th and 12th.  

Memorial Day Rain

Starting Monday evening and going through Wednesday we received 7 inches of rain. The course held up well. 

Tree work #14 and #17

We did significant tree trimming along the left side of 14 which affects the view and shot from tee to green.  As seen in the pictures before, the view of the left back portion of the green was partially blocked.  After, the view is much cleaner and unobstructed.  

#14 before

#14 after

The work on #17 affects those who play from the back tees.  We did significant limb removal along the left side of the rough from the back tee forward to open up the view and the shot especially from the tip of the back tee.

#17 before

#17 after

On Course Restrooms

One of our bigger and much needed accomplishments this year has been the repair of the on course restroom exteriors which included new paint. 

Golf Course Restrooms

The exteriors of the golf course restrooms are getting a facelift.  This includes repairing rotten wood, new hardie plank siding and new paint.  The paint will match the gazebo at the driving range. 

Improving the teeing areas

We have removed all the excess and broken concrete at the teeing areas. It is now a much cleaner look. 

#6 tee