STM82214 Jan Newsletter P2_STM82214 January Newsletter | Page 7

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
St. Johns Members,
It doesn’t feel like winter yet, but we are in its season. Cooler night temperatures and
heavy rains combined with the limited sunshine at the end of December have presented
some unique challenges for the course and greens. We are monitoring our moisture
control on the putting surfaces to keep the greens hydrated, but not saturated. During
these fluctuations of rain, temperature, and daylight you may notice the greens color
change slightly day to day. As we stabilize conditions, they will become more consistent
in their appearance. Our newly patched areas will feel the effects more drastically than the
remaining putting greens, but we are providing regular fertilization to these areas to keep
these spots healthy through winter.
We are working to address the back-left area of #1 in the upcoming days. The tree roots
and shade from the Oak Tree behind the green are causing condition issues. We will be
cutting a deep trench along the back of the green that will be roughly 6 inches wide and
24 inches deep. This will prune any roots that have made their way into the green and
allow for additional water flow to move off the green.
Lastly, our pre-emergent application has been completed through the course for winter
annuals. Moving through the next several months, post emergent sprays will be applied for
any weeds that may sprout. Our weed pressure has been decreasing over the last several
years, thanks to healthy playing conditions.
Let’s all hope for warm temperatures and sunny days in the months to come!
Thank you,
Andy Maguire
Superintendent
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