St. Johns May 2019 Newsletter P2_STM79572 May Newsletter | Page 6

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
M AY 2 0 1 9
To members of SJGCC,

As May approaches, there is much anticipation and excitement in golf maintenance, as
growing conditions become better and better. With these conditions becoming better,
comes an increased frequency of mowing and cultural practices.

With plenty of nutrients in the soil after a bulk fertilizer application, in conjunction with a
wall-to-wall insecticide and pre-emergent application, the groundwork has been placed to
have a very successful May. With growing conditions becoming more favorable, projects
will be geared towards maintaining detail work such as trimming bunker faces, edging cart
paths, etc. This is due to increased rate of growth in turfgrass.

Other projects will become more favorable, such as the replenishment of tiff-eagle
Bermuda grass in contaminated areas on greens. Now that soil temperatures are rising, and
the duration of sunlight increases, mending these areas in should be a somewhat quick,
painless process.

Aerification of greens will be taking place at the end of this month. This will be a one-day
process, and will promote a healthy, playable greens surface by removing organic material
and relieving compaction. Once this process is finished and healed, health of the turfgrass
will benefit tremendously, and conditions will consistently improve as time goes on.

We are excited to have more ideal growing conditions in the month of May. These
conditions will be utilized in order to continue promoting the growth of healthy turfgrass,
manage pest pressure (i.e. weeds, insects, etc.), and completing specific tasks in order to
provide optimal turfgrass health and playable conditions.
Thank you,
Andy Maguire
Superintendent
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