Tournament Browns...

As we approach the middle of May, we set a record low this morning of 40 degrees, which is 18 degrees below average for this date. Not exactly what we would call ideal temperatures for warm-season turf, such as bermuda and zoysia. We are still looking at transitioning Roughs that are waiting on warmer soil temperatures before becoming completely active. Our Tees, Collars, Approaches and Fairways are green, tightening up and getting into mid-season form. Our Greens on the other hand are smooth as glass and lightning fast, the only problem is that they are not green anymore, more of a "Tournament Brown". Here is a picture of #17 Green looking back towards the tees, there is a stark difference between the Approach and the "Tournament Browns".

This is #10 Green looking toward the cart path.

Here is #18 Green looking across one of the Bunkers towards the Clubhouse and #10 Tee.

With our conversion officially starting in 15 days we have begun the process of preparing our Temporary Greens. We will be scalping these areas down, aggressively verticutting, heavily topdresssing and fertilizing these areas to provide an acceptable putting surface until we re-open Greens in early August. Here is a picture of AJ Benefield, who is an intern from ABAC in Tifton, Georgia, he is learning how to use our John Deere 220B Greensmower on the Temporary Green on #15.

Once we mowed the Temporary Greens, we started out topdressing program on these areas. Our plan is to apply a 1/16" thick layer of sand to these areas 2-3 times per week for several weeks to ensure smoothness. Here Tim Murdock, our Second Assistant, is showing our intern AJ how to operate our Turfco Topdresser.

With the cooler than average temperatures that we are still experiencing, our bermuda turf at the Clubhouse that is overseeded is still looking phenomenal and striping wonderfully.

Thank you for taking a moment to read our blog and we would love to hear your feedback about the course and answering any questions you might have.