Battling Bicarbonates

Our irrigation water comes from deep wells on the Lahontan site, and it is very pure with little electrical conductivity, which is a measure of salts. The one thing that it does have is bicarbonate CaCO3, and this is a recipe for creating a sink for salt development in our soils.  To combat the accumulation of bicarbonate, and a pH above 8 in our water, we add gypsum to our irrigation ponds, inject acids into our irrigation system, apply fertilizers with acidifying characteristics, and flush our greens regularly. Flushing assists in the removal of salts, and wets the entire soil profile consistently and deeply.

10 tons of gypsum added to the 12th pond

The soil is tested throughout the season, and through the years we have learned that although our pure water looks pretty good on paper, in actuality it is difficult to keep things growing using this water once the bicarbonate starts to react with the calcium, phosphorous and other nutrients in the soil that the turf is needing.  

Lime 8 years after application, yet to solublize, and be available for plants and soil structure

There is a constant struggle to maintain good soil structure, and its importance cannot be over emphasized because the soil is where the plant grows. The soils on the courses have come a very long way since the course was built. Hundreds of thousands of tons of lime, gypsum, composts, and sands have gone into bringing up the quality tremendously. 

Kevin

Turf grass 101 - Soil Temperatures and Turfgrass Recovery From Damage

I was having a conversation yesterday about the weather this year, and it made me realize that there are a few basic principles at play with vole damage recovery, and general turf density throughout the course that would be good to explain.  In general we have about a 2 month growing season in Truckee. 

Weather and Temperatures This Year Historical averages

Putting Green late April, 2011

This past epic winter had 5 1/2 months of continuous snow cover.  November 24th, Lahontan received 3 feet of snow, and the course was not completely clear of snow even upon opening May 13th.   Lahontan was the first course in the Tahoe area to open, and was one week delayed from its scheduled opening of May 6th. Once we did open it snowed 3 of the next 5 days. The May mean temperature of 42 was 5 degrees below normal. The average high was 55.  For June the mean average temperature of 52 was 3 degrees below normal, and the mean low at the golf course maintenance weather station site of 36 is a temperature that creates frost on 75% of the course. July was 2 degrees below normal, with an average mean low of 40; Jack Frost showed up 12 days in July. Typically Golf Course Maintenance are the only ones on site at 5:30am when frost is occurring, so it makes sense that in the course of my conversation yesterday I was met with skepticism when mentioning that it has been cold, and frosty in the mornings. You get the point, the temperatures have been much below normal for Truckee which has the distinction for being one of the coldest places in the United States; and Lahontan being in the Martis Valley, is the coldest part of Truckee.  Well, let's just say it is one cold frickin' ride up to the practice area to start my day, making me keenly aware of when it is warm, and when it isn't.

Turf grass Response to Temperature Temperature and Turf Growth
We are now going to talk about soil temperatures, and the plants growth response. In the simplest terms, the grass found here at Lahontan predominately grows its below ground parts (roots, rhizomes) below 55 degrees.  Above 55, shoots, and leaves grow best. Grass seed generally does not germinate, and grow below 55 degrees soil temperature. Soil temperatures this last week taken at 7am, at a 3 inch depth are still below 55. The correlation between growth and temperature is well documented.

Greens rooting seen July 26th, 2011 

There is a reality to these temperatures, and that is: things just don't grow quickly here. Damaged turf takes time to recover, and in no way resembles the rates of growth at elevations below 5,000 feet. The seed, and soil that we are applying to the damaged areas will germinate and grow, but it is not surprising that very little has happened in the way of recovery so far this year.



 Kevin

Tournament Prep "What is That?"

Our most attended event is the Men's Invitational.  Three days of 27 hole shotgun starts, two of which are on 27 holes at 9am.  To get green speeds of 11.5 or more, provide firm and fast conditions, and do it in the hours provided between frost, tournament play, and night time irrigation takes a lot of planning weeks ahead of time.

A quick overview of the highlights:

1) Growth regulators on fairways, and greens are applied before hand to limit growth.  This is a 3 week application interval so the timing needs to be right from the first application of the season, so to not interrupt other tournament events such as the Ladies' Invitational, or the Tin Cup Tournament.
2) Irrigation of fairway, and roughs is relatively heavy the 4 days prior to play to limit the need for hand watering during tournament play, due to limited hours. This starts right after the Ladies' Invitational.
3) Wetting agents, and soil conditioners are applied 1 week prior to assure that the water that is applied penetrates deeply, assuring that the surfaces dry out during the tournaments.  In the case of the Mens' Invitational that is spreading gypsum, and acid injected through the irrigation system. Fairways, and heavy traffic areas are aerified the week before  to assist with water penetration, and alleviate compaction.
4) Fertilizer applications are limited to achieve green speeds, but need to have ingredients that provide health and color to stand up to the foot traffic of play, and the equipment traffic of rollers and mowers.
5) Scheduling of people is critical so that every job is done, and there is no delay to the start of the tournament.  For example. 34 acres of fairways takes about 5 hours to mow. In the morning we have 3.5 hours which means that we need another 1.5 to 2 hours somewhere else in the day to complete the task.  Tournament play is 9am until 5:30pm (if play finishes on time).
6) Topdressing, verticutting, and spiking greens.  This is a regular practice that is critical to good ball roll.  It can not be stopped all together without sacrificing the quality of the course for other events, so timing is everything.  All these practices are dependent upon the amount of growth occuring, so this shedule is the most variable. Cool weather  + growth regulators = little sand or verticutting, and increased spiking and rolling.  This is best left as a day or 2 out decision.  I think of this every day. Groomers or verticutters, topdressing, water interval, fertility and growth regulator schedule are all considered together. True art, and very little science in my opinion.

The other tasks that will happen each day of the tournament.
Mowing. Tees / Greens / Fairways / Approaches / Perimeter Rough / Intermediate cut.
Course Set Up. 3 cup cutters and greens care (think un-repaired ball marks)/ 3 tee set up and prep.
Irrigation. Hand water morning catch up, and afternoon cool down.

So, it will all work out fine logistically, however when you deal with 40 people doing split shifts, with equipment that has to operate without breakdown, and with a high degree of precision, then throw in mother nature (think frost), it can be a night mare if you don't have your stuff together. A small change in plan or the overall schedule is a BIG deal, because everything works in concert.

I have a great crew, adequate equipment, and I love the need for efficiency that goes into these events.  It is thrilling to have everyone planned out, trained, and all your fertilizer, water, and chemical applications go off as good as they can. It is the highlight of my job, and I thrive on these out of the norm days.  My most memorable experience in tournament prep was scheduling the daily work at the Charles Schwab Cup the first year it was at Sonoma.  This was the first time that the Sonoma staff had done anything like that, however for me, my experience planning events at Lahontan made it relatively easy.  I brought in a few key Lahontan staff members to train the Sonoma staff, and everyone did a great job.  One of those key people was Nelson Trejo, who remains to this day as the Shop Manager at Sonoma. An indispensable part of that operation, as there is only one Nelson.



Kevin

Bionutrition Today: How bio builds

This article explains the many benefits of the fertility program that has been used here at Lahontan since the course was opened in 1998. Our fertility this Tuesday on fairways, and approaches contained kelp, carbon based acids, compost tea, growth regulators, and wetting agents.

Bionutrition Today: How bio builds

Kevin

Groovin' with the Graden

There are few things that I enjoy more than a smooth consistent surface.  When all the small imperfections are removed it just looks, and plays wonderfully, and the best piece of equipment that currently exists is the Graden.  This machine is not for the timid, because it gets straight to the job of removing material, leaving heaping mounds of grass, and debris in its formidable wake of renovation.  Only the strong plants survive, and isn't that what we want anyway?  Sand is added in behind the organic matter removal, assuring the firm, smooth surface that is perfect for golf.  BEAUTIFUL!! All tees and approaches were done last week.

Tee Box After Graden

Approach after Graden

Kevin

Weiskopf Visit

Tom Weiskopf, and his head designer Phil Smith spent a couple of days looking over the courses at Lahontan.  I was privileged to be here at Lahontan through the construction of the 18 hole course in 1997, and the par 3 course in 2003. Tom has made more than 20 visits during those construction periods, so walking the courses with him was not a new experience for me last week, but on every visit I learn something new from his perspective, and experiences.  I am always impressed with his passion, and dedication to his craft, and his love for the courses here at Lahontan.

The biggest change that is being talked about is a redesign of the practice facility.  Drawings are being worked on, and there will be conceptual pictures for the Board to consider in the coming months.  The changes we discussed are dramatic, and unique.  Fitting for Weiskopf and Lahontan.

Rolling the 17th green to attain green speeds prior to the Tin Cup Tourney

Kevin

Technology at Work

This winter there was a lot of technological updating to our management processes.   The goal for me is to move Lahontan Maintenance to a GIS management system.  It is easier to organize, and manage the Lahontan property with mapping, and inventory data, and then to integrate these systems together so they are accessible and usable from any location at any time.  To date the irrigation system, every square foot of the property, water quality testing, fertilizer and chemical applications, and geo-referenced photos have been processed, and are working from anywhere at any time.  A smart phone allows me to be out on the golf course, accessing information that in the past resided either on my computer, or in a file somewhere.  We have gone so far as to be able to run the irrigation software from a smart phone, which is something that we figured out on our own, and is not something that the irrigation company has available.

                                         Jake and Marc running irrigation from Jakes phone


Kevin

Let The Games Begin

The sun has come out, and that means I can fulfill the promise I have been making the last 3 weeks on increasing green speeds.

Intensive grooming, and lowering heights on grass that is not growing is a perilous tightrope act that has long lasting effects, well beyond the immediate possibility of death.  And, honestly I am afraid of climbing up on the ledge, and taking that step over the abyss.  Odds are that in time you will kill grass for a very short gain in the hear and now.  But back to the present now; the snow seems to be behind us for a few months, and soil temperatures are climbing above 50 degrees, dictating verticutting, topdressing, and drying things out at least once a week.  I love stressing the grass, and conditioning it like one would an athlete training for a marathon. Green speeds will come quickly now.

This week we sprayed greens with a biological mix containing micro organisms that we "brewed /cultured", along with carbon, sugar, a little nitrogen, kelp, and acids.  It is critical to have a living soil, for good plant health.  Something agriculture has known for a very long time, and a practice that the turf industry is getting better at quickly.

We are trying out a biologically safe stain that we custom made at golf course maintenance.  In this picture Jake Miller tries out his latest batch at the chipping green.  What a big difference in the appearance of the tree!!!

Kevin

A New Week and New Hope for Average Temperatures

Tree roots removed from under cart path

It is snowing again today, June 6th, prohibiting golf or much outdoor work.  The forecast for Friday is for temperatures to reach 70 degrees, so I am going to hold out hope for another week.

Last week I outlined my optimistic planning for the projects we have been trying to accomplish.  Well; everything got done except for the painting of Shaffer Mill Road, and the painting of the 3 new sewer lift stations.  Having the asphalt done is a big relief.

Part of the hope that I hold is to be able to go out and enjoy what is typical weather for Tahoe. Typical and average are definitions that come about from years of data collection, and it should not be considered un-ordinary to be outside of those typical ranges over days, and often times weeks.  Months, and years are a different range.  The last month for weather across the world has been very unusual, making me believe something on a larger scale is going on.  I believe it is related to sea surface temperatures, and an increase in input to the energy systems on the planet. It is really a simple concept; energy in = energy out.  The complex part is quantifying the numerous inputs and outputs. Two of the easily recognized outlets of this increased energy are being seen in a strong late season jet stream, and strong frontal boundaries that are resulting in the large number of very strong tornadoes.  Temperature is only one component of the energy system, but it seems to be the one we have been fixated on for the last few years.  It does not completely explain snow in the Sierras, and does complete the picture for the severe storms across the rest of the nation.

There is not enough room here to explain what is going on, and I am now 23 years removed from my formal meteorological education, so I will leave you with the simple concept of global energy in = energy out. I will also let you know that it is boasting when someone says that they know what is going on, especially if they are talking about what is going to happen with global warming. Hundreds of thousands of temperature readings tell us the planet is warming, which is undeniable empirical data.  What that means we are only beginning to learn.  I invite you to come to your own conclusions by visiting a few links that I will provide here.  They are not religion based, or politically based; I have too much respect for what science stands for to promote those self serving institutions.

Wikipedia attributes to climate change
Energy balance and global warming





Kevin

Memorial Day - The First Day of Summer ???

Hole #3 without the snow last Friday, May 20th




Snow once again blanketed us on Saturday afternoon and evening.  By 8pm Saturday we had about 6 inches on the grass and about 4 inches on the pavement, which prompted me to call Eric Sutton about having a plow ready for the morning should it continue the onslaught of snow.  Fortunately it melted off to a couple of inches by morning, but golf was out of the question.

The projects are piling up with the bad weather, so I wanted to provide an update on our hopes and plans for this week.

Monday - Holiday shortened day
Tuesday - Finish the cart path overlay on hole #6.  Finish asphalt repairs on Schaffer Mill Road.
      Fertilizing tees, with no topdressing planned.  The forecast is for 50% chance rain / snow; high 40.
Wednesday - Tree removal on #4 for shade problems developing on the right side of the green.
Thursday - Trout stocking of all the ponds.
Friday - Painting sewer lift stations.  Road striping paint on Schaffer Mill Road.

Kevin

Opportunities and Attitude

White pelican on the back of #2 green, May 23, 2011

Brandon Carter who served at Lahontan for the last 6 years as my assistant, has decided with his wife Lisa to move back to Colorado to be closer to family . 

Change can be difficult, but is always good when combined with the right attitude.  The week after opening is not usually the time that you loose someone so critical to the success of your operation, but it does create invaluable opportunities for other staff members to "step up", and display unforeseen skills, and critical decision making in roles that they have not been asked to perform before. 

Everyone on the Lahontan Golf Course Maintenance staff has "stepped up", and is giving a big effort to reach all our daily, and seasonal goals.  It was hard to see Brandon go at such a critically important time, and I wish him well.  We appreciate the hard work, and dedication he had shown in his time at Lahontan, and we thank him for the opportunity that lies ahead of us all today.

Kevin

May 18, Snow vs Asphalt Work

Have you noticed a theme in the last 3 posts?  All the titles include the over used word snow.

May 18, 2011 snow on #3

This is a photo I took this morning that tells the story on all the projects I outlined in my last post.  Time has not stopped but the work on the road asphalt has.  Asphalt work on repairing cart path cracks is being done in the snow, (workers working stay warm while breaking up old asphalt).  The cracks are being cut open to about a foot, and then asphalt will be put down when it is warm enough.  In the mean time carts will travel across these areas on base rock.

The turf is handling the snow well. In fact, the grass plant growth will take off when sunshine is back.  On Wednesday we are planning on beginning a 3 day process of applying fertilizer to all playing surfaces except greens and tees, which were done last week.  On Thursday, we will be applying liquid fertilizer and growth regulators to the fairways, completing the application we did last week to greens and approaches.

Kevin

Open for Play

Still snow on 4th hole on opening day, May 13th, 2011

Friday May 13th, Mother Nature grudgingly gave way, producing nice enough conditions for the fair weather activity, "golf".  Thank you very much for that Mother, even though you will have your fickle way once again Sunday and Monday with more snow, and highs in the 30's.  Too cold for golf.  Probably not too cold for work.

The grass is growing very little so the densities that we need for intensive grooming will not be in place until June. I have always observed that grass top growth occurs when the aspen trees leaf out.  We are still not there.

Green speed, the never ending topic of every player who is not making putts, will be worked on next week.  It is best to meet the grass as it is going up, rather than scalping it down before it begins to grow to get speeds.  Cold temperatures result in little top growth, thus compromising the health of the greens at this time is not worth a modest speed increase.

Painted road repair, and spring in Lahontan Drive

I have a lot of road work planned for next week.  Within the community, Lahontan Drive has about 23,000 square feet of repair, Schaffer Mill Road about 10,000 square feet.  Eric Sutton will be finishing crack filling, and painting cross walks, parking stalls, and traffic directionals.  All this is weather dependent, so stay tuned, but the goal is to be done by the end of the month.  I have also planned repair of the cart path from #3 tee to #6 green once the ground dries out in the swamp areas along #4 and #6.


  Kevin

Opening Weekend Snow

The 4th hole one week prior to opening

It is true, despite all the sunny thoughts I have harbored for the last week, it is going to snow on Sunday of opening weekend. The reality of cold wet weather has continued its grip on the Tahoe region putting the average temperature a chilling 4 degrees below what is commonly called normal for April and May. 16 days above 50 degrees, and 6 days above 60 degrees (April 1 was 61, a good joke) does not encourage prolific growth of grass.  Opening Friday the 13th, will be spectacular with the high temperature a most enjoyable 63, winds light and variable. Saturday back to what we have come to know as our recent reality, with the high 10 degrees cooler than Friday and windy.  Now, Sunday it is going to snow for the second time this week, and Monday the high is projected to be 35, with a continued chance of more of the white stuff.

Click on this link for the Jet stream animation for this past week.



This cool trend keeps the grass from growing, so density is quite lacking at this time.  But once the temperatures rise, there is 7,000lbs of seed on all the fairways that will take care of the density issue on those playing surfaces.  Greens are being pushed with nitrogen fertilizer, and they have good color, and decent growth.  They will be slow out of the gate this weekend, due to the weather and a higher cutting height that promotes recovery, and better root growth.  Lahontan greens are treated like a world class athlete.  There has to be a strong base (density and roots) before you win the gold medal (stemping 11.5 plus for 6 weeks).  We were 11.5 plus last year from the Men's Invitational, through the Member / Pro; I know because we measure them daily.



It looks as if the 7th fairway will be nearly unplayable due to the river of water that has surfaced from springs on the right hand side of the hole.  This despite years of drainage improvements. Water content in the snow pack this spring is measuring at 250%.

Notice the dry area in the forefront and where the water is surfacing and sheeting across the 7th  



Kevin

Progress Update on Opening

Hole #7 May 4.  9 days to opening

Since my last post we have been busy at work in the bunkers, and cleaning the courses of the plethora of debris that was brought down with heavy snows.  On average 90 yards of sticks, pine cones, sleds, and children's mittens are removed upon the recession of the snow.  We also remove dirty sand, and replenish the bunkers with about 60 tons of fresh; and if you count in the 24 tons of fertilizer we will disperse "wall to wall", we are about 6 tons short of balancing the whole deal for this year.  Although, if the weather improves to the point of  drying the course a bit more a dose of 500 tons (down from 750 tons in previous years) of topdressing sand will be put down on top of all the fairways.

This is a lot of hard work that goes unnoticed. But it is the type of challenging work that we thrive on in the spring.  There is nothing more satisfying than giving your best effort and having an excellent course on opening day.  The effort is there as always with an average work week of 70 plus hours, but having an excellent course is getting away from us, due to the weather.

By the end of this week, all greens and tees will have been fertilized, mowed, and the irrigation systems on both courses made fully operational.  Testing of the majority of the 2,400 heads will be accomplished, and the 52 control boxes will be cleaned as well, assuring that when we need to water...... all will come on line and 2,400 gpm at 110 psi will flow out of the pump station to be distributed perfectly onto the turf. 

If you ask most superintendents what is the most difficult part of their job, they will tell you the grass is the easy part.  And it is true.  Not that growing grass for golf is that easy, but relative to managing employees it is easier most of the time.  We have almost all of our returning staff on hand this week, and it takes time to get 34 employees on line, and then to keep them productive (productive = motivated).  Those employees we have, I feel, are the best on any golf course.  They care about the quality of the course, and work hard at tasks that most people will not apply for based on the pay (golf maintenance does not pay much).  I am eternally thank full that 90% of my staff are returning workers who want to go out and be the best at what they do. 

Reading back on this post I realize that a lot of numbers have been pushed about.  Sometimes it is necessary to do this to grasp what has been, and will be done; because frankly I think what I do in my work is pretty simple.  I dance with the weather, equipment, agronomy, employee motivation, and golfers expectation's.  It is intoxicating, and time goes by without recognition, making it important to realize where you in relation to the music being played.  And for now it is a quick and lively tune, with a chorus of "opening May 13th".


Kevin

Making Progress to Opening

As predicted, the opening date has been moved back 1 week to May 13.  The second week of May had been the traditional opening for many years here at Lahontan, so really, maybe we are just getting a reality check this year.

This past week about 75% of the greens surfaces have opened up, revealing the beauty that is virgin fresh green leaf blades.  The initial burst of growth is an amazing thing to witness after 5 months of snow cover.  There is one blemish on what is overall a great emergence on the greens.  The one green with problems is the putting green where 50% of the surface has mold damage.  Samples are being sent off to the lab for confirmation of my belief that it is a complex of snow mold, and pythium root dysfunction.  The fungicide arrived today, as did more snow so that application will wait for the sun to melt off what we were not able to blow off yesterday, and what is falling from the heavens today.  The recovery of the putting green is going to take time and a lot of TLC.  Covers, additional fertilizer, seed, and some dark sand to heat the surface will be in the recipe for recovery to this damaged green.

                                            The Putting Green Saturday April Twenty third

The majority of the maintenance staff will be brought on next Tuesday in concert with a forecast that is promising highs in the yet to be experienced 50's.  The stubborn weather pattern is evident in a jet stream that has been persistently strong and reluctant to move a little more north where it belongs this time of year.  The abundant strength of the winds coming at an advantageous zonal direction are keeping things cool and moist.  Why can't this happen in July, I beg??

Well we will continue to work with patience and dedication to the thought that things will continue to improve and soon, very soon, these gray wet days will be a memory.

Kevin

The 2011 Meltdown Has Begun

We have been in the doldrums of late winter weather the last 3 frustrating weeks.  But, alas things seem to be improving, and we are removing snow from the courses. 

The fist stage is getting a snow melting agent onto the greens (look at the photo of #3 green).  This year that material is green sand.  Past years have been crumb rubber, charcoal, organic fertilizer, concrete dye and graphite mixed in water.  I have tried other various exotic mixtures not worth mentioning, all with about the same results, so the sand was cheap this year, and with the amount of snow on property, and the possibility of having to do more than one application made this the best option.

The second stage is putting compost on top of the snow in roughs and fairways.  This is not always necessary, but this year is different, and 24 tons or so will be applied via shoves by the end of next week.  We have a great employee fitness program here at golf maintenance.

The third stage is the blowing off of greens or other areas that still have snow.  A determination of where to do this will be made April 22nd (weather dependent).  Mechanically removing snow always has its pluses and minuses.  Plus - if the grass is declining and needs sunlight and dry conditions, it is best to remove it.
Minus - damage from the blowers and cold night time temperatures.  The snow is an insulator from cold night time temps.

The big question is ... when will the course open???  The answer is ....... when the snow is melted.  Mother nature knows the answer and she has demonstrated wild mood swings lately, so I have not pressed the issue.  If the temperatures and precipitation get to normal in the next few weeks, my best estimate is Mid May which is one week later than scheduled.  In the mean time Golf Course Maintenance will be working daily removing snow and getting closer with what we can control, and speaking kindly of sweet Mother Nature.

Kevin

Storm Water Sampling

It has been a couple of weeks since I've posted thinking that the next thing to talk about was going to be the progress made getting the courses ready.  Well, that has not happened. The same 3 foot snow level 2 weeks ago is what we have today, and the next 10 days have a chance of snow every day.  No progress.

Instead I will share some information about our environmental monitoring since water samples were taken this past Wednesday.  Our rain gage registered 1.2 inches in less than a 24 hour period mandating that we inspect pre-determined locations, and collect water samples.

Using a gps tracking device (track stik), a digital camera to geo reference what is seen, and some water sample bottles, the Lahontan community is toured from anywhere from 1 to 4 hours.  The collected digital information is then logged into Google earth.  The water samples are taken to a lab in Sparks, where after analysis the results are compiled, and ultimately sent to environmental monitoring agencies.

Meggie at the turn sampling site

I have been touring the Lahontan site for 14 years now, and have collected hundreds of samples.  Conclusively the historical record shows that the water quality is improved as it passes through Lahontan, and that is a record that we all can be proud of.



Kevin

Monitoring Greens Health Under The Snow

I went out yesterday and dug down to the green surface at #17.  The snow depth was about 3 feet, which is about 3 feet more than it was in mid February.  The green was draining, the temperature 38 degrees, crowns were healthy and emerging, and no snow mold present.  Very good news.

The health of the grass in spring is dependant upon what we did last fall.  Proper aerification that assures drainage, wetting agent application that enhances drainage, the proper depth of sand topdressing that protects the crown but does not hold moisture around the leaf blade causing crown hydration, limited nitrogen fertilizer applications that allow dormancy under snow and for the plant to store carbohydrates, and a good fungicide application are critical to keeping the greens alive under 5 months of snow cover.  Our snow cover came November 23, 2010, and I anticipate we will be out of the snow in mid April, making for one of the longest prolonged snow cover winters since the course was opened.

Kevin

Winter Returns to Tahoe

One of the scenarios for the weather changing in my January weather posting was for the ridge that was over us to regress; or if you prefer "move west", and that has occurred in the last 36 hours.  This has allowed the upper atmospheric flow to move southward and over our region.  It has regressed far enough west that there is ample moisture advection over the Pacific Ocean before being orographically lifted by the Sierras.  Wind speeds in the upper atmosphere are very strong and the lifting and cooling effect is amplified by the increase in velocity, resulting in snowfall rates of 4 inches an hour.   There is a strong trough evident from 750mb to 300mb that will provide instability, and pull in cold enough air that the snow should continue for the next week.  The 14 day long lead forecasts show this flow to continue, so stay tuned for updates.  Since the time the snow started this morning at 5:00am the course has gotten over 2 feet.  It is now 3:30pm The official forecast is for another 2 feet in the next 48 hours.  Check some of the weather links I have provided and pay particular attention to the 500mb heights, and how far the bottom of the trough stays off the coast.  If you can find the times that the highest wind pulses will move through the bottom of the 500mb trough and then over the Tahoe area, you will be able to predict the times of heaviest snow fall.  Or you can simply look at the NOAA link and go to the QPF (Qualtitative Precipitation Forecast).

Now, I need to clean the snow off my truck and go home!!!!

The Golf Industry Show

The National Associations of the Superintendents, Owners, Architects, and Builders gather annually at the Golf Industrty Show that was held this February in Orlando.  This is the event where new products are unveiled, educational classes are held, and networking happens.

I can honestly say that I get as much out of this event as I put into it.  Good planning, a focus on the needs of Lahontan, and my desire to continue to learn and get better at my job assure that this is not a vacation.  Quite the opposite in fact, although I do enjoy the company of fellow professionals in the industry that I see once a year, I always return physically exhausted and mentally focused and excited.  Which of course is frustrating, as it is once again snowing and we are a couple of months away from the course opening. But when it is time to present the course for play, all the current tools and techniques will be utilized to assure our success.

Now if we couple just get rid of this snow.

Porcupine Damage

Porcupines are native to our area of the Martis Valley, and generally they stay to themselves rarely interacting with people.  Like most of the wildlife at Lahontan, if there are animals hanging around an area that people frequent, it is related to food that people are making available.  We have experienced this with bears, a bobcat, and this week I have removed 2 porcupines up at the lodge. The bait used was apples, and it took less than 12 hours for each of these critters to find, and recognize them as food.  Which is interesting because there are no wild apples at Lahontan, and I have found apples discarded by golfers in the exact area that I am finding the porcupines.

Now, why are a couple of porcupines a problem? Well, it is because they girdle trees to feed on the bark when food is scarce, and there are some trees that are severely damaged around the lodge.  There are approximately 8 trees damaged, ranging is size from 10 feet to 50 feet that are between the golf shop, and the cart path at the 18th green.

January Weather

This month has been 3 degrees warmer than the average mean, and has fallen about 4.5 inches below normal for precipitation.  Of course means and averages are the culmination of numbers over a larger time period than one month, but still this has been a long stretch for dry weather.  If we look at the year as a whole we fall pretty close to what would be normal for the 12 month historical period.

In the next 2 weeks we will see more of  the same due to the entrenched ridge over the eastern Pacific.  This ridge shows no sign of breaking down, so our best chance of precipitation is for the ridge regress (move westward) and an ensuing trough develop over us.  This will depend upon sea surface temperatures moderating closer to normal (this was a La Nina year), and / or the jet stream moving north and a sub tropical jet developing in the latitudes closer to where we reside in Truckee.

Stay tuned, but for the next few weeks expect the weather to be the same thing as we have seen so far in January.