Good Morning,
The weather has obviously been less than favorable since the golf course opened in March. It is hard for me to complain too much since the golf course provides a recreational atmosphere for our community and surrounding golfers. The weather has a major impact on our rural farming community where people’s lives are affected. When the farming community struggles with Mother Nature it has a negative impact on the golf course, specifically our revenue.
The staff and I have worked very hard to maintain the golf course through all the rain, wind, and below normal temperatures. Even when the conditions do not allow people to play golf we still have to maintain the golf course. It’s not always enjoyable working in poor weather or delaying our maintenance practices until evening hours but it is necessary. I’m proud of the dedication the grounds and maintenance staffs give to our golf course. It’s definitely not taken for granted.
Outside of equipment and irrigation maintenance along with normal grounds tasks, weed control ranks right up there at the top of the list. It has been very difficult to spray at all this season. The only spraying completed has been for crabgrass and broadleaf weed control on our tee boxes. The rest of the golf course is saturated with dandelions.
Surface drainage and high winds are the main result for providing us with the not so pleasant dandelion population. This year is the worst I have ever seen. I treat broadleaf weeds in the spring and fall every year and usually have a very high level of control. This year will involve multiple applications to control the heavy weed population.
Dandelions seem to be the highest conversation topic at the golf course. I hear it daily and try my best to educate individuals with concerns. I always start spraying along the property owners and golf course property. This helps control the weeds that affect their view as well as the golf course first.
It is impossible to spray during windy conditions or when rain threatens the area. The herbicide needs to stick to the plant for a minimum of six hours to have any control. The last day this was possible was Sunday morning when the golf course was booked solid with tee times. That does not provide an environment that is safe to spray.
Our weather forecast calls for a chance of showers yet this morning and overnight. After midnight the chance of rain is almost zero (however it can change in a blink of an eye). I plan to start spraying at 5AM and going until the wind picks up late morning. This will allow me to cover a lot of territory with little impact on golfers. It takes me approximately 24 hours to spray the entire golf course which amounts to three eight hour sessions. I’m hopeful to get as much sprayed as possible before the end of the weekend.
Enjoy the remainder of your week and hopefully we have plenty of sunshine for golfers and our farmers. Also, keep councilman Rich Prentice in your thoughts and prayers. “Swing easy when it’s breezy!”
BCMohr
Spencer Municipal Golf Course 