Alberta Clipper / Polar Vortex

You can call it what you wish. It's just cold. You think it's hard putting up with the weather? Just ask the grass on our greens. If they could talk, they'd say," We are frozen" "we are suffocating and can't breath with all this ice on us" "I know you have cleared the snow off of us to try to melt the ice, but you just removed our blanket, and now we are feeling like the end is near" please please warm us up!!"

This seems silly, but truly the poa annua grass that is our greens are fighting for their lives. Extreme cold and snowfall including ice encapsulation is pushing the limit of life out of them. We have cut plugs out of several greens and taken them inside to warm up. Doing this gives us an idea of life or death. As of today, we are not overly optimistic. 

All the greater Detroit courses are in this same situation. We are formulating plans for recovery and re-establishment. 

Once all the snow melts we will then know the severity of damage. At that time we will execute all necessary plans. Until then we will do all we can. Stay tuned for further information and updates on course conditions. Let's hope for this extreme cold to stop and some warmth to help us all. 

Polar Vortex

This winter is nothing short of old school. Snow banks so high it is hard to see over or around. Record breaking amount of snow. More than we have EVER received in the month of January. Cold, oh it's been cold. Who has ever heard of POLAR VORTEX before this winter. 

We have been plenty busy plowing snow all while preparing the equipment for the upcoming golf season. Here are some pictures of our activities this winter. 

We've been quite busy this winter and can't wait for spring . Finally the forcast shows a warming trend for the second half of February. If the forcast holds, 40 degrees is going to feel balmy.

Before we know it flowers will be blooming and green grass will be growing. It was 13 degrees this morning and the sun was out, so were the birds. They were singing along telling us warm weather is on it's way. Hang in there everyone. 

Busy times for Tam Turf

The storms that ruined many towns in Indiana and Illinois made their way through southeastern Michigan. Although we have no business complaining, we did experience 2 full days of high winds topping at over 50 mph. Over a quarter million homes lost power for days. 

As we are in the process of putting the course to bed, Mother Nature gave us some extra work to deal with.

The handful of willow trees on the course were whipped up. These soft wooded weeds littered the place.

Being the optimist , this is just natures way of cleaning up the dead wood in the tree canopies. This is a good thing, but never comes at a good time.

During the cold wind and rain the storm brought in, we were able to blow out the irrigation system. After 2.5 days, this process is complete. All went well , and we've crossed it off the list. 

An important process heading into winter is the practice of deep tine aerification to the greens. 

This machine, called a soil reliever, punches solid spikes deep into the soil to a depth of 10 inches. These deep holes help relieve compaction and allow for better drainage through the winter months. 

We have also completed our final chemical applications to greens, tees, and fairways. This application is primarily for a disease (snow mold) we see during the winter months and in cold wet conditions. 

So much completed yet so much more to be done before snowfall. As we head into Thanksgiving and Hanukkah , my staff and I wish you all a peaceful  holiday with family and friends.

Drainage installation

We began installing drainage today on hole 4. The piping network starts in the bunker on the left and flows into the pond. We also improved run off installing drainage along the cartpath at the front tees on hole 5. 

We found old drainage coming out of the bunker that had been severed and crushed during the irrigation install back in 1999-2000.  Yes, the bunker has had less than adequate drainage performance for almost 13 years, leaving it water logged and unplayable.

Drainage plays such an important role with healthy, playable conditions. It is also so very easy to forget about because it is something you can not see. However, just like everything else, it too needs regular maintenance and attention to perform properly.

This work being done now will aid in better playability and will allow for dryer, more consistent conditions. 

Thank you for your patience during these overdue installations.

Fall time maintenance

It has been a very busy fall here at Tam O Shanter. All greens, tees, collars and approaches have been aerified and sanded 

We have started drainage work. Drainage in the right rough on 10 and approach on 7 have been fixed. Tree roots love to grow in the drain lines clogging them leaving the turf oversatturated. 

These 2 root masses were pulled from 10.

 This root mass was pulled from 7. It was over 18 feet long.

 Amazing stuff. Trees are an intriquate part of a golf course but only in the proper areas. Too many trees cause for many maintenance issues like this. All drain systems on the course will be inspected and fixed or clean out. 

We will be installing new drainage on 3 green. We have already re sloped the back right of the green to allow water to flow off.

We will be installing a new drain system in the left bunker on 4 including the approach and fairway as well as the approach on 14.

The trees have decided to hold their leafs late this year. The staff is ready as soon as the trees decide to drop for the winter.

We will be blowing, raking, vacuuming and mulching until the snow covers the ground.

Aerification Season

It is time to cultivate the soil. The tees will be worked this week. Greens and approaches will be aerified October 1. We will be verticutting / dethatching fairways throughout October. Amending the soil allows for better root growth resulting in excellent turf health and playability. 

My staff and I appreciate your patience throughout this necessary turf maintenance practice.

Ball mark repair

Easy instruction on proper ball mark / pitch mark repair. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YvNVBjI3rhs