Aeration time and an early spring?

Well, to say the weather has been a little unusual is an understatement.  But how wonderful that this time we’re not talking about 30” of snow, but some great above-average temperatures that have provided a LOT of winter golf opportunities!  With spring aeration time right around the corner (link to aeration schedule below), I thought it would be a good time to talk about what’s going on with the turf during a mild winter like this.

This is the latest 1-month outlook from NOAA.  The trend continues!

Holy traffic, Batman! 

One of the biggest challenges to a busy winter golf season is the amount of traffic we see on the courses.  While the unseasonable temperatures have provided some much needed golf weather after a very wet September and October last year, our golf courses are seeing the toll that traffic takes on the grass when there is no ability for it to grow and heal itself.  This comes most notably in the form of hundreds of ball marks on every green, and very heavy wear on areas at the entry and exit points to cart paths around greens and tees.  Tee boxes themselves are beat up, but most of our courses have purposely left the tee markers place for the winter without moving them, so there we minimize the amount of area that is bare and needs to be seeded in the spring.  Ultimately this allows us to provide improved teeing areas when the spring does arrive and the grass starts growing again.

Root growth bonus!

6 inch roots in February makes a superintendent happy!

Turf all around the golf courses typically sees roughly zero root development in the winter, but this year, again, is a little different!  These temperatures have allowed the soil to warm up a little more ahead of schedule and we are ahead of the game with root growth.  This is great news if you’re a turf junkie, because spring root growth is INCREDIBLY important to the turf’s ability to withstand the incredible summer stress we see in this area.  Our superintendents, just like all you golfers out there itching to hit the links, are hoping for some nice, dry weather so we can be as productive as possible getting the courses cleaned up and back in shape for the spring.  Dry weather in the spring and fall is crucial for root growth because it makes the plants search for water.  If it stays wet, roots have no reason to grow and with short roots, it is a very long, labor-intensive summer for turf management.

Aeration time!

The most important cultural practice that is performed at our facilities is core aeration, and I could literally wear out the keyboard discussing the benefits of this process!  The process of aeration and recovery is very stressful both physically and mentally for our staff, because we take such pride if maintaining great conditions for you!  But this temporary disruption to our playing surfaces is what helps the turf remain healthy throughout the year and is very important!  So what exactly is so great about removing all these plugs of soil from your beautiful golf course?

• Improved root growth
•  Improved gas exchange (oxygen to the root zone and actual air movement underground!)
• Decreased thatch and organic matter that can hold excess water (bad for root development and increases disease pressure and insect problems)
• Incorporation of pure sand in greens to keep these important channels open (tremendous root growth in these holes!) as well as firm the playing surface
• Alleviates compaction caused by foot and vehicle traffic
•  Improved water infiltration
• Improved microbial activity (healthy microbes help the soil environment function better)
• And the list goes on!

Superintendents LOVE this!

So when exactly will our courses be aerating?  Find our aeration schedule HERE.  On the date of aeration, the areas mentioned (front 9/back 9) will be closed for the day.  Course-specific announcements (such as opening aeration day at 1:00 for example) will be made via our Facebook page and Twitter feed.  We have selected aeration dates that work best for the specific needs of the course based on types of grass and environmental conditions, as well as trying to work around major events and outings that are already scheduled.

2012 PGA Merchandise Show Recap

At the beginning of each January, the golf industry begins to prepare for its biggest day of the year - The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. It's a time that sends those of us in the industry into a frenzy trying to get prepared for this massive event that brings OEM's, both large and small, apparel companies, golf technology companies, training aid developers, and so much more, together under one roof for three days of nothing but golf.

The industry only show, which started in the 1950's, allows companies to show off their newest offerings for the 2012 year. Weeks, months and years of research and development are all unveiled during this crazy, yet exciting, week. The event this year had more than 1,000 vendors and 40,000+ PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders in attendance.

This year a handful of our MCG Golf Professionals and Directors attended, covering every square inch of the show. During their time at the show they saw some absolutely incredible booths, and others that left a lot to be desired.

Another favorite of those who attended was the Demo Day, which was held on Wednesday, January 26th and served as a kick-off for the main show. The event attracted more than 5,000 PGA Professionals, media and retailers, all there to get their hands on the clubs that will be hitting the shelves over the next few weeks. With more than 200 hitting bays on the circular range and short game areas of the 42-acre practice facility of Orange County National Golf Course, it was a chance for nearly 100 manufacturers to show the world what's hot.

Although you most likely weren't able to get inside the doors of the Orlando Convention Center yourself, here is a link from Golfweek that gives you a great recap of the show: http://golfweek.com/news/2012/jan/24/complete-coverage-2012-pga-merchandise-show/.

If you see something you like - clubs, apparel, hats, etc. - please give us your feedback. Let us know if you have a favorite vendor, style of clothing, type of club, or anything else related to golf merchandise. We value your thoughts and suggestions and we're always looking to improve our MCG pro shops.

Winter work: Get Educated!

Today our MCG superintendents and assistant superintendents are attending one of many important educational seminars to help enable us to continue our commitment to using the latest research, ideas, and practices that make our operations more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and provide the best conditions we can for our customers.

Today's seminar was organized by our own Teddy Blauvelt (Hampshire Greens superintendent) and Steve Evans (Hampshire Greens asst superintendent). Teddy serves the local Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents as the Education Director, and Steve serves on the Education Committee.
There are 160 people in attendance today to hear presentations from a number of locally, nationally, and internationally recognized university researchers, industry professionals, and environmental organizations.
Topics today consist of greens aeration and topdressing research, environmental and economic sustainability from Audubon International, summer disease preparedness, managing greens under stress, using turf knowledge to improve care of ornamental plants and woodlands, and a presentation about the International Golf course Equipment Managers Association.
Sent from my Droid Charge on Verizon 4GLTE

New for 2012

Each year we review our operations and make changes to improve our service to you.  Over the past few years, we have heard many comments on the lack of ability with our current point of sale system.  Many of you have experienced the slow processing of our current system or have heard our staff reference the dreaded red X, which is when the system just freezes and then shuts down.  We have worked diligently with our current system to correct these challenges but have not been successful.  Therefore, beginning Monday, we will be transitioning to our new point of sale system.

We planned this transition for February because of the normal cold temperatures and relatively slow days.  However, considering the recent weather patterns, we are busier than expected.  The following is a summary of some of the key items regarding this transition.

Schedule

• Current system will shut down as of close of business on Sunday February 5, 2012 - Go Giants:)
• New System will turn on Thursday February 9, 2012
• Monday - Wednesday - The golf courses will be open according to normal winter schedules.  We will be operating the old fashioned way with paper and pens.  Please note we will be accepting credit cards during this time.
• Online tee times are shut off and will become available on again on Friday February 10, 2012

Questions

• What do I do with my new player pass, frequent player pass, weekday or full membership cards?  Once the new system is up and running please present your current card at the counter and they will convert it to a new card. 
• I have a gift card which I have not used?  Please present the gift card at the counter and you will be issued a new card with the correct balance.
• How do I make an online reservation?  You will need to register as an online user the first time you use the new system.  In the future, you will be able to simply enter you user name and password when booking a tee time.  

Transition

• We realize there are always challenges when making a transition this large and we are asking for your patience while we get the system fully up and running.  Please give us your feedback and input on how we can make the system better and please remember that our goal is to make your experience better.  

 Thank you for your continued support of the MCG golf courses.