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