Lottery list and deadline approaching for 'The Invitational'

In an effort to insure all members who have requested are entered into the Lottery Drawing, Head Professional Barrett Martens sent an email to each member on Tuesday with a list of the current members who have expressed a desire to be in the event.  Please check your email to verify that your name is on the list or contact the pro shop if you have questions.  

Maple Tree tapping beginning this week!

In looking at this week's weather forecast, I think the beginning of Maple Tree tapping here at Glen Echo will commence on Thursday, January 30th.  I expect to have 15-20 buckets running this year to collect the Maple Tree sap.  This sap will then be boiled down to the delectable Pure Maple Syrup that will be used by Chef Terry and Sous Chef Jeff to produce some great dishes for our members and guests during the year.

Preparing Sprayer for Dormant Zoysia Pre-emergent/Poa Control

Since I had to come in this morning to open the course, I decided to check spray rig before the next round of below zero temperatures settles in.  Within the next couple of weeks, we will be making our yearly Dormant Zoysia Pre-emergent/Poa control application to our fairways, tees and green surrounds that are covered in zoysia/bermuda.

This application includes a pre-emergent product Ronstar Flowable and non-selective herbicide Glysophate product for post-emergent on our fairways to control crabgrass/goosegrass/poa/other weeds and will kill already germinated poa annua that has popped up in the warm season grass since last fall.  We still need to do some off season work on the sprayer but the main thrust for checking it out was to insure that it is pumping properly before this very important winter spray application.  We try to spray on a sunny day when temperatures are above freezing and the ground can handle the sprayer driving on it.

Poa annua will become active in above freezing temperatures over a few days and will pull the material into its system and the herbicide will kill it over a few weeks.   It is only safe to spray this non-selective material during dormant periods in the dead of winter or it could hurt the warm season grass or delay it breaking dormancy.  The pre-emergent is sprayed onto the turf surface and prevents the shoots of the undesirable weeds from growing which kills the plant.  It is different chemistry than  other pre-emergents that inhibits roots from growing, including your turf grass roots.  If you ever hear someone saying that a pre-emergent is root pruning, that does not occur with the product we use.  It is not as price competitive as other products but when we are spraying over 30 acres like we do our tight zoysia areas, why would we not want the best product for the health of this large area of turf!  

The Glysophate spray will prevent little clumps of poa annua from interfering with play during the early part of the golf season.  It will also help to reduce the seed population of the poa annua which is a prolific seeding plant and will reduce competition in some of the less than ideal growing spots that we have on the course for the warm season grass.  Mainly shaded and or high compaction or traffic areas.  As the warm season grass is weakened, the poa annua or other weeds have a tendency to move in and attempt to reduce the warm season grasses ability to grow properly through competition for sun and water.

Still a few weeks away but the season will be upon us before we know it!

A good thing "This Guy" is not a gambler(Course is Open)

Well, its a good thing "This Guy" is not a gambler or an odds maker.  I would lose the farm.   I guess I could be a TV Weather forecaster.

Course is now open for Sunday, January 26th.  Temperatures stayed warmer than expected overnight and a majority of the greens are snow free.  There is still a little on 11 green but everything will stay rock hard frozen while some of the hardy souls come out today to bounce the little white ball around.  A little bit of snow in deeper bunkers and shaded areas but overall place cleared off nicely.  Just watch your step as you are going around today.  Have fun!

Shutdown Friday's A Smashing Success

 

I was not able to attend last night's "Shutdown Friday's" event but from reservations made before I left for the evening,  it was another busy evening!

Thanks to everyone coming out and firing up our beautiful clubhouse during a normally quiet member period.  It was great to see so much activity during this tough winter stretch of weather!

Remember, the clubhouse reopens with a special reservation only event on Friday, February 14th for Valentine's Evening.  

The club opens for regular 

dining each Wed-Sun, effective February 19th.

Will He or Won't He(Open the course this weekend)?

Looks like nice weather at least high temperature for Sunday but I'm not sure if the snow will leave us by Sunday afternoon.  If the snow will leave the greens, we will open it up Sunday but I think if I was a betting man and I am not, I'd give it a 20% chance we will get open.  Light snow showers possibly overnight which could add to our dusting from the other day.  After that, another deep freeze enters the property. Enough, enough, yes this is enough!

Last Call for "Shutdown Friday's" at the clubhouse!

Have you reserved your spot for the last "Shutdown Friday" evening at the club?  If you have, thanks, if you have not, why not?  Chef Terry has a great entree menu lined up with Beef, Fish, Pork and Chicken selections all covered.  Bring some friends, call another member or two and come out and see us but please call or go online and place a reservation to help us serve you better.  See some old friends, meet someone new and support the club during the club shutdown.

Remember, the club reopens on Friday, February 14 Valentines Evening with a special dinner event for you and your significant other. Reservations are necessary with Entree choice between Center cut Filet and Alaskan Halibut.