Turf Talk

Let's Talk Turf

Fall is here, with plenty of leaves and pine needles for all! While it can be a pretty season, it does make maintenance a bit challenging. We are working diligently to keep the course clear of debris for your golfing pleasure. Managing debris is not the only thing happening, we have some projects coming too! Progress! It has been long overdue. I am pleased to announce all three of the bunkers around 15 green have been completely renovated. This is only the beginning pf what's to come! We plan to continue work on many of the other bunkers in need of care. Our hope is to finish one to two bunkers per week over the next several weeks. Funding for this project is not unlimited, but we plan to maximize every dollar. We should be able to get the worst of the worst renovated before the end of 2022. If we get more capital funding allocated in 2023, we will continue working after the start of the new year.

In my last newsletter, I asked for help with your applications of personal insect repellent, specifically around greens. My request did not go unnoticed. We have not had a single incident since. Thank you for your support and attention to this matter!

As average soil and air temperatures drop, growth has nearly come to a stop for most of the grass on the course. We have raised the height of cut on greens, fairways, collars, approaches, and tee boxes. The most noticeable change to play will be green speeds. The greens will be slower. As a golfer myself, I have no love for slower greens, but the practice is unavoidable. If we want healthy greens in the spring, it is necessary to raise heights in the fall. As soon as the greens break dormancy in the spring, I’ll have them back to where they need to be. Over the course of the winter months, we will continue to roll the greens to ensure a smooth, true, putting surface.

Thank you all again for exhibiting an exceptional amount of care for the course. We have a great golf course here at Brook Valley and we strive to make it better and more enjoyable every day. Enjoy these beautiful fall days while they last. Get out there and play a round of golf today!

Yours in Turf, Buckley