Winter Play/Winter Set up

Winter is coming pretty quickly, at least by the calendar on December 21st. With the arrival of winter comes some changes to the golf course.

Snow and Ice 




Course is closed when there is snow and ice on the course. Normally the greens are the last to clear because of the short height of the turf. No golf during these periods. Sometimes it clear enough for walking without clubs which we don't mind and if you want to bring your fury friend along, feel free to do so. You might just stop in Pro Shop if someone is around and let them know you are out there.

Tee Markers 

All tee markers are removed and brought in for the winter to repair and keep in good shape for the main season. Please play from where you like on the teeing ground you chose. If you are playing with more than 1 group and you have a game going on, use the 2 or 4 step rule forward or backward from a white marker or blue marker so everyone does not play from the marker. Playing from the same spot day in day out creates excessive wear to the teeing surface, especially the dormant zoysia. Same goes for single groups, go to an area of the tee that is showing less wear and tear over the winter, not completely matted down or multiple divots in the same area on par 3 holes.

2 Holes per Green

Also, we have 2 holes in each green at this time. If you have more than 1 group playing on a warmer day with a game going on, place the flag pole back in the same hole but if you are a single group, please move the flag pole to the second hole. This moves wear around on greens. If warm days occur during the winter and the greens are thawed, the staff will move the holes if we have a great deal of play, they will do so to reduce wear and tear on specific areas.

Freezing/Thawing Greens

I prefer greens to be either completely thawed or completely frozen to reduce damage during the winter season. It becomes problematic for us when greens go into a deep freeze cycle in late December/January and then begin to thaw. Once they begin to thaw and it moves into the top 1-2" of the green surface, we will usually close the course until the thaw comes completely out of the greens. This prevents root shearing and deep imprinting from foot prints.  I will discuss this issue in the next few weeks with pictures and more detailed information.

Appears we are in a cycle of cold days followed by some nice days. Wednesday, Saturday predicting 50's and Sunday pushing 50.

Weather Stats: Hot and Dry July/September, with a reprieve of cooler temps in August

The weather stats for the last few months have been all over the board here at Glen  Echo.
Hot and dry July, average rainfall in August with cooler temperatures but there were 2 events in August that made up most of that total. If I remember correctly, large accumulations at the airport with very little here at Glen Echo just a few miles away. hot and desert like September with warmer than normal temperature in October but finally some rain breaking into the 2nd week of October.

Temperature     Observed            Normal Depart  Last

                            Value                                from      Year

                                                                      Norm

July        Hi         94.3                        89.1      5.2        90.0       

               Lo        74.2                        71.0       3.2        73.1

Aug                     85.2                        87.9      -2.7       88.9

                            66.2                        69.4      -3.2       72.5

Sept                     84.2                        80.2      4.0        85.0

                            62.2                        60.6      1.6        65.8

Oct                      71.1                        68.5      2.6        75.3

                            52.0                        49.0      3.0        55.8

Rainfall

July                     1.38”                     4.11”     -2.73”     8.37”

Aug                     3.30”                     2.99”     0.31”      5.77”

Sept                     0.27”                     3.13”    -2.86”     4.95”

Oct                      3.71”                     3.33”     .38”        3.15”

RECORDS

8TH WARMEST JULY ON RECORD (84.3 DEGREES).

TIED 9TH MOST DAYS WITH A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 100 DEGREES

(7 DAYS)

TIED 8TH MOST DAYS WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 80 DEGREES

(5 DAYS).

TIED 5TH MOST CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 80 DEGREES (4 DAYS FROM 7/19 TO 7/22).

7TH DIEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD (0.27 INCHES),

TIED 5TH LEAST NUMBER OF DAYS WITH AT LEAST ONE TENTH OF AN INCH OF

RAINFALL (1 DAY).

2ND MOST OCCURENCES OF A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE GREATER TAAN OR EQUAL

TO 70 DEGREES ( 4 DAYS)

Speed Kills, Not Just Grass But Enjoyment In Round

Higher greens speeds 10-11' and higher increases stress levels in 1/8" tall bent grass and increases risks for potential turf loss on greens. 

New studies links faster green speeds to longer play time and less enjoyment/satisfaction in the experience. See the research below.

http://scienceofthegreen.umn.edu/news/faster-green-speeds-result-slower-pace-play

Veteran's Day 2017

This year takes on a special meaning to this day with the passing of Beth's brother Lawrence Brewer this past April. He proudly served his country in the Air Force in Vietnam. To all of our members, families and friends who served and or currently serving, I appreciate the sacrifices you made for all of us.

Day Late, Happy Birthday Marine Corps

Happy Birthday Marine members, family and friends!!!

Firewood For Sale

That time of year to burn some wood in outdoor pits or fireplaces. We sell oak firewood for $ 75.00 self service pick up load or $ 100 delivered. Deliveries are usually delayed until after Thanksgiving since the staff is busy chasing leaves and we are at reduced staffing levels. Deliveries are only made on week days. You do not have to be there for us to deliver as long as we have a spot worked out ahead of time to stack.

If you have a small SUV or car and want a small load, we usually adjust the price down accordingly. If you need assistance with loading, our staff can help out. There are there 7 am to 2:30 pm Monday thru Friday. The pickup load price is for about `175 pieces more or less. You can contact my phone at 314-575-7321 or shoot me an email.

The pile we are currently using as you drive down past the maintenance building is on the left side of the driveway. It has been there for 2 years and has been burning nicely in the fire pits up on the patio over the last couple of months. Once that is all gone we will begin to use the right side which is a bit  newer wood but has been on the ground since at least last winter.

Your account is charged once we deliver or you pick up the wood.

Celebrate Glen Echo

Click on this link below for the details

Celebrate Glen Echo