This year, I am expanding our weekly greens spraying to include more of the approach. In addition, our 14 day topdressing schedule also includes approaches. This is part of the ongoing effort to increase the turf quality on these surfaces. I love this part of the job- tinkering with programs to get better every year. That's always the goal and I hope it always shows on your golf course.
Yesterday I talked about some of the underbrushing we did on the golf course. I mentioned some areas that may appear to be unfinished but with time, will be spectacular. Above is an example of a native rhododendron that is nearing the end of its life. It is very leggy, thin and even starting to die off at the tips. This is an area that should be showing new growth, not yellow dying leaves. One option we have is to cut it off back at ground level. Within a few months, new shoots will begin to bud off the stump. In 2 years, it will look like a new shrub! Below is a picture of an example of that on #1. The new rhododendron are much more vibrant, dense and healthy. Now, picture the area above #6 green when all of the rhododendron begin to re-emerge! It reminds me of the old saying, "you have to break an egg to make an omelet."
Today Koty, Chad and I are attending a Western North Carolina Turfgrass Association (WNCTA) meeting at Wildcat Cliffs CC. We have a brief education session followed by golf. I served on the WNCTA Board for over 6 years.