LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Eaglebrooke ,
The golf course is looking pretty good right now in spite of the drought in our area . We were lucky enough to get a few nice rainy days in late April to help push us into May . In May we are beginning another preemergent application that focuses strongly on grassy weeds . We will also be addressing some of the bunker issues that could not be completed last month with a fertilizer program and some sod replacement on the faces to build up turf quality . We will also be getting into a routine of horticultural practices on greens to help smoothness and maintain speed in the early summer months .
The pre-emergent that we are applying focuses on the weeds we struggle with the most . Goosegrass , Tropical Signalgrass , and Crabgrass . In my first 18 months , we really made an impact on the Goosegrass infestation on the golf course . It is a very tough , difficult weed to control , and I think we are on a great product rotation to keep it in check . Tropical Signalgrass is another weed that is difficult to control . The preemergent does help but is not as effective as it is on other weed types . We are stocked up and ready to go with products to hit this weed early and often to keep it at a manageable level .
The greens held up and bounced back nicely from our aerification . In May , we can get a lot more aggressive with verticutting and topdressing on greens . This will help thin the tops for air movement and water percolation through the canopy of the Jones-dwarf . The greens will get a healthier environment to grow , and the golfer will get a smother , faster green to putt on . The plan we have in place has been successful this past year and I hope to continue to refine and improve it throughout the summer months . Our hard work this summer will pay off in the winter months with the overall appearance and playability of the greens . Please , if you have any comments , concerns , or questions about what our goals and processes are on the golf course , reach out to me . My door is always open .
Wes Parker
eaglebrooke newsletter 7