Palencia Golf Club

In our continuing efforts to keep our golf members informed concerning the golf course conditions, below you will find a summary of the current conditions, programs and the calendar of agronomic activities for the balance of the year.

The beginning of the summer is the traditional transition period with the winter rye on the tees and greens transitioning to Bermuda grass. The greens and most of the fairways are in generally good condition; however, the course is experiencing some problematic areas following winter dormancy.   The areas of concern are in the rough areas of holes number 5 & 7. The large tree canopy, which creates shade, continues to be major cause of these trouble areas. We are currently “mapping” the shade patterns to determine if tree trimming and/or removal can be accomplished while maintaining the integrity of the course design. All deficient areas are being addressed through topdressing, fertilizing and sod installation where necessary.

From now until October we will be carrying out our growing season maintenance routines of bi-weekly verticutting and topdressing of greens and course wide aerification on June 2^nd and 3^rd. Although disruptive these practices are necessary to grow healthy turf.

· During the summer growing season the Bermuda grass which will require more frequent mowing, edging, trimming, etc.

· Our primary focus will be correcting deficiencies following winter dormancy. Warm, sunny weather over the next month will greatly benefit the golf course.

· Bermudagrass is now actively growing,

· Now phasing in our growing season agronomic practices such as vertical mowing, brushing and topdressing.

· Speeds are now consistently between 9 and 10.

· Weak/thin areas on greens are a result of stressed turf entering winter in 2008. These problem areas are mostly isolated to greens with significant tree canopy that creates shade and air movement challenges.

· Please repair ball marks.

· Tees are currently overseeded with perennial ryegrass

· Bermuda and Zoysia are gradually greening up.

· Color and playability is acceptable.

· Maintenance staff is filling divots with sand to hasten recovery.

· Fairways and approaches are now green and bermudagrass is actively growing.

· Playability is acceptable.

· Currently the roughs are the weakest part of the golf course as there are sizable areas that will require the bermudagrass filling in.

· Bunkers are being raked daily and edged bi-weekly.

Cart Paths

· Cart paths are being graded as needed.

A. Not all of the problem areas are the result of a single cause. The combination of wear and tear, weaken shaded areas and the winter dormancy will create grass to be thin as it starts to “green up” in spring. These areas tend to be reoccurring from year to year such as the walk up at #1 tee. Although it is not a certainty some of the problems we are experiencing this year are potentially related to the number frosts and severe cold weather we had this winter. Most of the damage is in open or mounded areas and higher heights of cut where the turf is more exposed to frost. Soiling testing to determine other potential causes has proven largely inconclusive.