#7, Flower Planting Party, Keeping Poa in its Place

                       #7

The seam topdressing completed last week was a big part of why
#7 can now re-open as a par 4

We are pleased to announce that starting tomorrow #7 will re-open as a Par 4! The hole will remain Cart Path Only for a few more to weeks to allow the area to get to full strength. The area looks great overall, but there are still a few seams that need time to heal in. Until then, any golfer that hits a shot in the newly sodded area will be allowed to lift, clean and place their golf ball. 

Flower Planting Party

On Wednesday night we hosted our third annual member flower planting party.While attendance was at an all time low, those who did attend showed incredible planting prowess, and dedication to Greenbrier Country Club. They did so with such gusto that I believe they deserve individual acknowledgement. Assistant Superintendent Mike Nazzaro, Debbie Adamson and Ken and Susan Clark, all came out and overcame my shortcomings to lead us to a successful event. Five people in total planted all of the flowers that are now on the course. Bravo!

Getting it done!


Poa's Demise

Poa annua is a grass type that in most settings is considered a weed. Due to its prolific seed head production and ability to survive low mowing heights, it is a common weed on bentgrass putting greens. This year was unfortunately a good year for the troublesome weed. Thinned areas from a tough summer, the timing of the hurricane and Nor'easter last fall, and a mild winter helped Poa spread this winter. Lucky for us we have a multi-pronged approach to keep Poa in check. Some of the chemicals we spray, if timed correctly can sting the Poa, and provide an opportunity for bentgrass to reclaim lost ground. The photo below shows Poa that has been negatively affected by a growth regulator/fungicide combination, and healthy bentgrass crowding out the nuisance putting green weed. The more bentgrass we can keep on our greens, the smoother and healthier they will stay for golfers.

Flower Planting Party/#7/#14 Cart Rule/Watering

Flower Planting Party

Next Wednesday, April 26^th at 5:30 PM we will host our third annual member flower planting party. The event should take 1 to 11/2 hours, and will be followed by complimentary subs and drinks. This is a fun community event that benefits the club, and its sense of community. Please RSVP with Star in the clubhouse. We will meet in front of the clubhouse @5:20 PM and get planting @ 5:30PM. Tools will be provided, but we encourage attendees to wear proper landscaping attire.

 #7

We have made great progress in the establishment of the sodded area from the drainage project on #7. We reduced the mowing height and hand top-dressed the seams of the sod on Thursday.  With a little bit of warm weather we should be on track to re-open the hole as a par 4 by early May, if not sooner.

#7 at reduced mowing height after seam top-dressing


#14 Cart Rule

We were able to re-open #13 to cart traffic last week. Unfortunately we have been unable to open #14 to cart traffic. We have multiple reasons for this. The sod on #14 that lines many heavy traffic areas on the hole has yet to root, we have pending irrigation issues that we are working on resolving, and many of the existing issues that have given this hole trouble through the years still exist. Once the sod roots, and the bermudagrass is actively growing we will re-open this hole to cart traffic. We understand that this precaution is a great nuisance, given the long walk from the path on #14, but feel that the restrictions are 100% necessary. Greenbrier CC is one of the few ClubCorp properties that does not have year round Cart Path Only Restrictions on at least one par 4.

The sodded areas on #14 may look good on the surface, but still need more time to root

                                          Watering Practices

Many of the chemical and fertilizer applications we make in spring require water immediately after application to prevent leaf burn, and move the products into the soil.  If the greens seem a little wet at times this spring it is likely due to these watering practices. While we generally prefer to keep the greens as dry as possible, the water run after these applications helps make them effective and sets us up for a great year.

Deep Tine Aeration Complete

The large, solid tines on this aerator can go deep

On Tuesday we were able to complete aeration to our greens. This is the only aeration we will be performing until fall. This spring, in an attempt to penetrate our layer of buried organic material, we contracted out a deep tine aeration. While we didn't pull cores, this deep tine form of aeration is more vertically aggressive. The holes made by the machine go nine inches deep, which allows us to incorporate sand through our buried organic layer. What does this mean for golfers? Stronger root systems, which help provide healthy turf, and excellent playing conditions.

View of impact deep tine aeration can have on soil

The finished product on #9