Metrolink Project, first mowing of the fescue on #1

The first mowing of the fescue along #1 fairway took place this morning.  We used a push mower to mow the area between the new fairway and the fence which has now been installed completely.  There is a hole in the fence on the green end so that we do some maintenance on the new fescue on the other side of the fence.  There is no access to the sod except over the fence which is not practical.  It is important to us that the turf get established completely so it can survive the summer heat and stress.  We will not place a large area mower on the area until the turf has fully established and the soil can handle the large mower.

Randy Brown doing the honors of placing the first mowing on the new fescue rough.  The new fence in the background.

First mowing of new bunker turfgrass

Push mowed the new bunker fescue on Friday.  Some rain early this week so we will see how things firm up after the rains.

Why are some areas on the course brown?

Another post that did not show up from my phone last week.

The summer heat of July and August gave us some of the hottest temperatures ever and also left us with only 4/10" of rain since July 12.  Our irrigation lake is recharged by runoff from rain but when there is no rain, city water is used.  We used almost 8 million gallons of city water during the last billing cycle between July 15-August 1l and the meter continues to keep piling on during the current cycle.  We are keeping our main play areas watered sufficiently but are throwing smaller amounts in our deeper rough and non-essential areas.  The picture I've attached is behind 17 green and in front of 16 tee.  Even with a modern irrigation system, you can still see how inefficient an irrigation system is in comparison to mother nature.  There are numerous areas on the course in which weaknesses are on display from our system.  A few tees, fairways and even greens are showing signs of damage from inefficient irrigation applications.  I think its time for a rain dance.  Maybe that will be a part of our Labor Day festivities this weekend.

Old zoysia nursery between 17 green, 2 fairway and 16 tee.  We have kept the irrigation off in this area except for the bentgrass collar nursery near 16 tee in an effort to conserve on our water usage which is very high right now because of the 6 week drought.