Bunkers are a Problem for Us...Not Just the Golfer

We are all well aware of the inconsistent sand throughout the bunkers on the course but there is also the drainage issue.  While praying for rain so much this year, I have forgotten the time it takes to get the bunkers back to somewhat respectable condition.

Grounds Crew pumping the water that won't drain!

After the water is pumped out!

The conditions after the water is pumped out are still wet for a period of time until they dry out.  A lot of labor hours go into this process and I would love to see time spent on other job details not to mention the improved playability of the bunkers if more renovation work could take place.

Feeding Bonaza.....for the Birds!

With the recent rains and the soft, moist conditions in the fairway; the birds have been getting a healthy diet of earthworms.

# 5 fairway early morning buffet!

I have noticed birds feeding in years past but nothing to this extent.  While we have had problems with earthworm castings in late fall and/or early spring in years past, I have never seen something like this.  There is really no solution but to let nature take its course.

Improving Course Etiquette

Course Etiquette Guidelines

1.  During frost delays and inclement weather, it is the Grounds Department objective to get golfers and golf carts on the course as soon as it can safely be done.  We will be in communication with the Pro Shop as to a time frame for the course to be open and the availability of golf carts.

2.  Repairing your ball marks plus 3 others will improve the condition of the greens.  Always push your ball mark inward and tap it down.

3.  If your divot is in one piece…..replace your divot.  If not, please use the divot mix supplied in the golf cart.  This divot mix is for fairways and tees only.  Do not put in the rough!!!

4.  After teeing off, please put your broken tee in the broken tee caddie.

5.  Obey the cart direction devices.  This will limit any damage that may occur and keep the traffic areas in more out of play areas.  Golf carts are not to be driven to the back tee boxes.  The golf carts should remain on the cart path at the tee box.

6.  During inclement weather, special cart restrictions may be put in place.  It is crucial that these restrictions be followed.  Failure to follow these restrictions can not only cause damage immediately but in the future especially during the heat of the summer.

7.  Cigarette buds need to be placed in the trash receptacles along with any other trash.

8.  Golfers at the range tee should be aware of other golfers on holes #8 & #11 as they have the right of way.  Please keep aware of this to limit anyone getting injured.

9.  Enjoy your round of golf and the beautiful surroundings.  If your golf games brings upon some frustration, please do not take that frustration out on the golf course.

Thank you for your cooperation and doing your part as a member of Idlewild CC.

Grounds & Greens

Happy Days are Here Again!!!

We are into the 2nd full week of August and I couldn't be happier.  We have had some much needed rain and the temperatures have become more normal.  These two factors will help bring the soil temperatures down which is crucial to plant health and its recovery after such a hot summer.  We have had 34 days with temperatures at or above 90 degrees and the rainfall has been very limited creating quite a workout for our irrigation system and the grounds crew.  The 10 day forecast looks to be very favorable and should help any blemishes on the turf to recover.  This should lead us into the club & class championships with ideal turf conditions and playability.  I have seen a lot of things this summer that I can say are different from the norm.

A mess of hydraulic irrigation problems!

To many clogged irrigation heads to count!

Wind storms with no rain!

Some beautiful mornings!

Did I say clogged irrigation heads and the debris after cleaning!

Some long days into the night! (Brutus in the dark)

More wind storms with no rain!



Golfers driving their cart where it shouldn't be!

More clogged irrigation heads!

Minimal turf damage!

A lot of exhausting days!

Some really beautiful days!

Overall some great golf course conditions!!!



Clean Up Isle 5

We had a little storm blow through the course yesterday and we got .3 inches off rain which was great.  Unfortunately, it came with some heavy winds which created a lot of tree debris on the course. 

# 8 Green

The greens, tees, & fairways have been blown off as well as cleaning/raking the bunkers.  The next few days we will be picking up the tree debris and hauling it to the dump.

Rainfall has its Benefits, But......

While I have spent most of the golf season praying for rain, I do get a little nervous when we get to much at one time.  This can lead standing water on the fairways which is very dangerous to the turf when the temperatures are high.

#18 Fairway

The standing water can "cook" the turf like boiling an egg.  We do are best to remove the water off the surface but the saturated turf is still in harms way.

Turf thinning due to saturated conditions & heat.

Cleaning Clogged Irrigation Heads

Usually during the spring start up of the irrigation system I expect to clean the irrigation heads to make sure they are operating properly.  Early last week when we began to irrigate after the previous weekends rain, I noticed a lot of irrigation heads were not working properly and throwing the water as it normally should.  This began a mad dash to check all the irrigation heads to make sure the irrigation heads were working properly and clean the heads that needed it.  On Thursday, myself and Cesar were able check/clean all the irrigation heads on the course.  This was done just in time as the heat required numerous syringe cycles to keep the turf cool and the course in great condition.  With the cooler temperatures and the .5 inches of rain this morning, I can say the course held up well and should get some recovery time before the next punch that Mother Nature will surely throw.

Clogged screen at the base of the irrigation head

Irrigation head removed and ready to flush

Flushing any debris from the irrigation lines