Summer 2010 Palmira Course Closing and Maintenance Update

Our summer maintenance schedules have been planned and posted, with the initial closure May 3 on the Ibis course.  I want to thank all of the members and volunteers for a great golfing season.  Even though the rainy weather was not conducive for players, it was good for the courses. We received fourteen inches of rainfall since January, a record in South Florida for this time of year.  This has been a blessing for the courses, our lake levels and fire hazards in the community.

Our aerification schedules are as follows:

Ibis closed May 3-23; July 5-25; Sept. 7-19

Osprey closed May 24-June 13; July 26-Aug. 15; Sept. 20-Oct. 3

Egret closed June 14-July 3; Aug. 16-Sept. 5; Oct. 4-17

Many of you may be asking the question, "why do we have to aerify?"  Aerification is the most effective cultural practice performed on turf. Golfers view this process as disruptive, but the long range effects are beneficial. The functions of aerification include relieving soil compaction, improved soil oxygen levels, and removal of thatch ie. organic matter.  After aerification, sand is worked into the holes for oxygen and roots to grow. Excessive thatch ie; organic matter is the number one reason greens and other turf areas fail over time.  Thatch will create inconsistent  greenspeeds and cause mowers to scalp the grass.

We will be maintaining the following mowing heights this summer:

Greens                                       1/8”

Tees and fairways                        ½”

Roughs                                      1-1/4”

Intermediate rough                      3/4"

Green speed goals will be from 8'-9.95', weather permitting.

Summer projects include:

Resodding the Blue and White tees #1 Ibis

Reshaping the left fairway bunker  #9 Egret per Gorden Lewis, Golf Course Architect.

Sodding weak areas #9 collar Ibis

These types of projects need to be performed when the air and soil temperatures are at an optimum for turfgrass growth.

Thank you for your time and consideration while we perform these important practices on the courses.  I will be giving you updated versions of conditions throughout the summer, so watch the Palmira Weekly for news. If you have any questions, I can be reached at my e-mail address: rvolpe@golfclubatpalmira.org.

Have a great summer, Bob