Its Been Interesting, Exhausting, and Just a Wee Bit Frightening

As Asst. Skip reminds us from time to time, don't be scared. Well, the month of June has been interesting but pardon my French, it has scared me just a wee bit with regular member play and the upcoming schedule of events taking place from mid-July and into August. Right now we are in the top five of warmest Junes' on record but it appears there is a break coming by the middle of next week. With predicted highs over the next few days we will have 18 days over 90, our average is 10.

Well, why am I loading up with weather stats? Its not a new month.

June is usually one of the best summer months for ball roll out. I think we were doing pretty well early in the month but then came this blistering weather and things have changed a bit. We needle tined a few weeks ago to open up our greens and allow them to breath a bit. Good thing we did because they sure needed it. Well, we did it again the last couple of days and we have been having to put some serious moisture to our greens in the last 5-6 days. High temperatures, wind and lack of rainfall, .14" in the last 20 days has created some serious challenges for us. Our biggest challenge has been the occurance of Localized Dry Spots(LDS) These are areas of the greens where the sand in non-wettable or hydrophobic(repels water) I won't bore you with more detail but if you want it click the link highlighted above.

We use wetting agents of various types to offset these conditions. They might not completely eliminate the issue but they assist us with getting moisture to the areas as needed. The product I was using this season was not doing the trick so I went out last Monday evening after an outing and sprayed a new combination of products on the greens. This spray required the products to be watered in heavily which we did and we have continued to do with hoses to play catch up with the moisture levels of our greens and get the number of dry spots reduced. Now we slowly have to back the water off and let the greens begin to dry again as we appear to have rounded the corner slightly.

https://youtu.be/mtmjSVjlYxc



Excellent ball roll out conditions occur usually with drier greens, lower humidty, little rain and plant growth regulation. Smaller leaves creating less friction, the heavier or moisture laiden the air slows roll, lack of rain which keeps flushes of growth from occurring and regulation which also slows growth during the day all contribute to roll out. As you noticed at the US Open on Friday, greens conditions were much different than what they were early in the week than right after the rainfall and improved considerably over the weekend with drying wind and some increase in mowing and rolling activity on the greens to increase speed. I will not sacrifice plant health early in the summer with excessive rolling or double/triple cutting. For regular play and activities, it is not good practice with the lack of infrastucture and age of our greens. As mentioned in the past, I prefer to work at this time in my life than not.

Okay,  you've taken 3-4 paragraphs, what's your point? The point is I'm sure some of you are wondering what's happened to ball roll out in the last 10 days or so. Well, ball roll out went out with the bath water as we had to adjust our practices to meet this early summer stress of heat and no rainfall challenge. Future predictions of a hotter than normal summer also come into play here. We've had to reduce our sand topdressing program for a couple of weeks which improves ball roll because of the high heat Even though we have needle tined the greens and there is not major disruption to the surfaces, it does slow ball roll out. Of course the heat has caused us to modify some of our mowing schedules and we have given the greens a couple of days off last week from mowing and once this week.

My main focus is to get through the full year without turf loss. Can that be done in some difficult circumstances, sure but it will require a gentle hand to our greens from time to time and we are going through a gentle time right now. I would expect a change in the weather next week to more average temperatures will help us improve the quality of the surfaces and ball roll out. The expectation and challenge I place on myself and staff is pretty high. I very much understand the significance of our place in history, our yearly Invitational and the Metropolitan Amateur in which only comes around every 15-20 years. I look over to the right column and see the countdown clocks ticking for a couple big events so yes I get geeked up to with these events.

We are also very much concerned about everyday play here at the club. We have dedicated members still coming out regularly in 95-100 degree heat and challenge this beast of a course with her unlevel lies at every turn. We want the conditions as good as they can be under the existing circumstances.  I appreciate your understanding as we hopefully round the corner next week and become a little more seasonable with our weather and course conditions.

One of our spring and summer touches with nature each season at our urban club is the birth and growth of our yearly Red-tailed Hawklet. She/he had one of our gray squirrels in its clutches.Did not realize it until after I stopped the video and it flew into a tree with its prey.

https://youtu.be/f_ql260kYgg

Quick Hitting Bee Video From This Morning

Took a quick video of the Bee hive today. Gives you a little inside look into the hive. A little more detail as we go over the next few weeks.

Video Regarding Tee Aeration, Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks and Other Information

Rain put a damper on our tee aeration plans today. We will probably finish the work next week. Video discusses that work as well as the fairway turf situation, greens bunker edging and a couple of other areas. Photos below also add to discussion later of these subjects later in the video.

Our Red-Tailed Hawks picked up stakes and moved to the Sycamore near 5 White/Blue tee this year. I had kind of lost track of them this season until Ms. Herrin mentioned where they were located. If my eyes don't deceive me I think we have 2 juveniles about ready to take off on their 1st flights soon!

https://youtu.be/0kS6uzl8yzU

Bunker edging. Sand was deep enough along edge I had to use a spade shovel to reform the edge. Back 9 are complete as is  Holes 8-9. Hope to finish the rest of the front next week.

From time to time you will notice some black algae appearing on greens. This usually occurs because of climatic conditions, warm and humid conditions and sometimes and the end or past time for a fungicide application. The past 6 weeks have seen a weekly application of some type of required spraying product either it be a growth regulator, summer root disease management product and wetting agents to keep profile consistent in its moisture content.

This is from the 2nd green and the ugly reddish colored turf is poa annua which does not like Paclobutrazol, a growth regulator product we have been spraying every 30 days or so to help reduce the impacts of poa on our greens. My last application last week was 1/2 the rate of the month before.  As we get into summer, we cannot over stress the poa annua or it becomes poa deadua.  Too much poa annua dying quickly could contribute to yours truly's untimely demise. This type of condition does help bentgrass grow into the area and improve our total amount of bentgrass coverage. Losing 20-50 poa annua is something I do not want to see in my lifetime unless I was spraying Round Up and trying to kill it. 

2nd Bee Box Installed

Put the second Bee box together today.  

The video below illustrates how our Queen was packaged.(Not my video) The substance to the left is candy and the bees in the hive chew away the material to release the queen in a few days.



Video of my placing the foundation material in a frame. This is where the bees attach the comb to the waxy foundation.



After the installation of the second box.

First Non Native BeeHive Established At Glen Echo

We have plenty of native beehives on our property. This evening I established our first man eastablished Honeybee hive at Glen Echo. We will have two colonies located between holes 11, 12, and 13 in the native area that we have established over the last few years. As you've seen recently, we've sprayed out the area and intend to sow some wild flowers and little blue stem in this area.

Its kind of a long video but it shows you some of the steps I took to install the hive. The ending was not recorded because my camera tipped over, probably well and good anyway since my installation was not necessarily the smoothest.

I'll make another video for the 2nd and hopefully will improve upon my work.

More information will be forthcoming as I learn it as well. This project is new to my knowledge base and will take some time to understand what is taking place.

Waiting on a train near River Des Peres and Hwy 55. Bee boxes ahead.

A little sugar water for the bees. Much tastier than the sap when it started a few months ago.

https://youtu.be/NuojBiTCiiw

Amazing Video From Pennsylvania Regarding Snowbound Mother Bald Eagle

Interesting video from Pennsylvania and a Bald Eagle fighting mother nature with her two eggs.  Also link to State Wildlife Commission Live Eagle Cam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgpmqLgWUn4




Codorus State Park Pennsylvania Bald Eagle Cam
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1592549&mode=2

Got Bees, Getting Bees

Over the past few years, there has been a movement to set up bee hives on golf courses. From year to year, you've seen pictures I've displayed of swarms forming on the grounds as they prepare to follow there queen to a nest. I've recently joined the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association and intend to manage a hive or two here at Glen Echo this season.  I'm still trying to determine a good spot for the hive but believe the no mow area I started to the right of #11/#12 would be a good location. Out of the way and not near any play. It will be close to a water source and out in the middle of the property so the bees can disperse to all parts to find nectar and bring it back to the hive.

Yes, my father started this work in the 80's and loved tending to his bees. My brother Delmar did some work as well with hives so I will utilize his expertise as well as a mentor from The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association . I would expect to have some honey at the end of the season for the Chef to use for your enjoyment.  Be on the lookout over the next couple months regarding information about another exciting adventure I will have on the grounds at Glen Echo CC.

The Eagle Has Landed

As many of you know, I like to keep you informed of interesting things taking place at other courses. Eloise and Elliot, are the 2 Harrison Bay Tennessee Bald Eagles that we have followed for the last 5 years. Eloise has just laid her 1st egg. 

The site is in need of donations for some unforeseen expenses. Check out the Eagles on their nest and or make a donation at; http://www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org

Lady and the Mockingbird

Lady and her Mockingbird friend near the practice green.  I'll have an even better video tomorrow if she comes to work.  She worked real hard today so I'm not sure if she will make it.

Various work projects this week

A number of other projects were completed this week.

The staff completed support work on the play ground equipment. New support footings were added.

The head wall on the lake spillway was repaired as were some stones that had broken loose on the landscape area of 15.

The native area on 12 and 13 were brush hogged.  Attempted to do it 2 weeks ago but had to repair the mower.

Pulled some plugs on the long range tee, drug them into the weak areas, spread a few loads of sand topdressing and a heavy application of fertilizer to push some growth.  Extra water applications are being made to keep area moist and help the push the new plugs.  Try to open tee very soon is all I can say.

Forgot to take pictures but added 15 grass carp to the 2 small lakes on 10 to assist with grass plant removal. This reduces the need for chemical applications since this water feeds into our irrigation lake.

New bridge deckings and ornamental beds being touched up with fresh mulch

Promised some finished pictures of the concrete pour on 15 bridge and the asphalt work on the Marvin Pierson Lane bridge repair. A Turkey and mulching round out the pictures below.

Place some heavy duty fabric in the hole to keep gravel in place.  Covered larger gravel with smaller which Jason is packing with our vibratory plate.

A quick fix so we used bagged asphalt for this repair.  Pretty difficult to close bridge down for any length of time since we have many guests using the lane and trying to coordinate with too many people.



Jason packing the asphalt after it has been laid out.

Finished product.  Will seal it in the next few weeks. Tore it out Monday morning and completed before 11 a.m. Tuesday.  Quick job.  Still have to evaluate clay tiles under bridge for potential lining.

The concrete bridge covering on 15 completed.

Looks like we have a Jake Turkey playing around over on holes 2-3 again like a couple of  years ago.

Becky mulching the main entrance beds at the clubhouse.  75 yards of mulch to spread and she is doing most of it herself.  Watches over her plants like a hawk!  Staff has assisted but its mostly her work one cart load at a time.  The staff will do the large area down in the woodland garden on 9 with the chipped mulch for her.  Not too many plants to get in the way down there.

Finished product.  Looks great.  Fine layer, just enough to change color. We don't like big piles of mulch in our beds.  Helps to hold moisture in soil but not create an artificial layer for roots to live within.

Living room bed becoming my favorite.  Lilac trees beginning to pop out.  Smell will be awesome in a few days.

Red-tailed Hawk Cam at Cornell Unviversity/Harrison Bay Eagles

Cornell University has a Red-tailed hawk cam setup and it appears a baby has arrived.  Check it out at:

http://www.livestream.com/cornellhawks

Also, a reminder about the Eagles at Harrison Bay, they are getting really big!

http://harrisonbayeaglecam.org/

Harrison Bay Bald Eagles

The Harrison Bay Bald Eagles from Tennessee are beginning the arduous process of hatching and fledgling two more Bald Eagles.  Eggs were laid a few days ago and should hatch around March 17th. Even though this is occurring hundreds of miles away, these beautiful creatures deserve our attention during this process. Nice learning experience for the kids and grand kids.

Poor girl was covered in snow the other day. Dedicated parents!  Save the link in your favorites for a view from time to time.

http://Harrisonbayeaglecam.org/

Turtles are on the move

Please be aware that our Momma Green Water Turtles and Snapping Turtles are on the move to lay their eggs.  This girl was next to the woods on 14 in a sandy spot laying her batch.  Most of the snapping Turtles travel cross country to the creek on #1-2 to lay their eggs in the creek bottom and then make the long walk back to the lake complexes.  If you see a turtle that needs to be moved, contact myself or a staff member to move them out of the line of play. 

 

Baby Squirrels

                                                                                                                                                                                                              I believe it was two years ago that I had a squirrel family fall into my fireplace.  Contacted a rescue group and they told me to place the babies back outside against the house and that hopefully
mother would come along and pick them up that night, at least that was the hope.  Sure enough, no sign of squirrels anywhere later that evening, remnants etc.  Just hope the neighbor cat did not have a feast.

Yesterday, the staff dropped one of the large oaks on #3 that had died late last summer and there were 3 baby squirrels in a nest.  Next to the downed tree was a tree hollowed at the bottom.  The staff placed the remnants of the nest in the hole, placed the little guys in there and then covered part of the entrance to keep them inside and protect them from the wind and varmints, red tail hawks.  This morning when I came in, checked for the babies and they were gone. Everyone was relieved that the mommy found her family  A good tip in case you remove a tree after March 1st which is usually when squirrel babies are born.

"The Goosinator" goose control

Interesting tool that is being sold to help with geese control on all types of properties.  If anything, fun to watch the geese scatter.  Wouldn't trade Lady Bug but an interesting bit of ingenuity working on land, water, ice and snow.

Harrison Bay Eaglet Hatch

Superintendent Paul Carter from Harrison Bay reported that the first eaglet hatched this morning.  I've not spotted it yet but you can tell they are sitting on the nest a little differently, more spread out trying to protect their newly born baby and pulling the nest in close.  The other egg was laid about 3 days later so the second should hatch by the weekend.  They expect them to be on the nest for 10-12 weeks.  Below is additional information as well as a link to the site.

http://www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org

http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

Harrison Bay Eaglets near hatching

The Harrison Bay eaglets are expected to hatch tomorrow.  Hopefully it will be a better outcome than last season.  Just watched the parents make the hourly switch in the nest.  Very cool!!

http://harrisonbayeaglecam.org/

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath

I had to include a theme video and song for this post today.  Enjoy as you checkout the rest of the post below.



I was showering the 17th green this morning and had turned on some of the rough sprinklers under the trees to the left area short of the green.  A few puddles developed underneath the tree and our new juvenile
Red-tailed Hawk decided it was time to get his/her Saturday bath.

The Redtailed Hawk waiting for the sprinkler to make its way around again.

Standing up and ready to shake its tail feathers so to speak.

The Journey of the Snapping Turtles

Alligator snapping turtles frequent the four lakes of Glen Echo.  Every mid-spring, the females make their journey across the course to lay eggs in the creek along holes 1-2.  What a long journey for those short little legs   If you drive in from the front gate, you might be on the lookout for turtles as they cross the road looking for a nesting site.  They are not afraid of humans and or the vehicles we drive and will literally turn and face the object that is impeding their travel and or come into their field of vision.

A large lady making her way near #1 tee area this morning.  As I was driving the course, another lady was making her
way across the course near #16 tee