Chicago Highlands Superintendent's Update

Chicago Highlands Golf Course Update December 14, 2011

Winter maintenance of all equipment is in full swing.  Staff has begun the process of breaking down all the equipment, one piece at a time, and washing, detailing, servicing, sharpening and replacing any worn or broken parts.  Winter is a critical time for equipment maintenance.  This time allows the opportunity to eliminate or greatly reduce equipment down-time during the season when we need it most.

Another application of fertilizer was made to the bluegrass rough this week.  Although it is December, the grass has not completely hardened off for the winter.  The grass will be able to use this fertilizer to store carbohydrates through the winter and also produce a nice green up in the Spring.

For Cross Country Skiing:  We have installed distance markers on posts along a 2.9 mile route around the golf course for anyone wishing to cross country ski this winter.  The trail begins on the path at the Southeast corner of the pool area.  The trail is marked in 1/2 mile increments and ends exactly where it started, at the Southeast corner of the pool.  The trail will take you as far North as hole #4.  Staff will not remove the snow, but rather keep the snow to a manageable depth suitable for those wanting to ski. 

Another update will be provided in January. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael Heustis

Golf Course Superintendent

 

 

Chicago Highlands Golf Course Update November 18, 2011

9 green continues to establish after stripping the sod and re-shaping.  The sod will continue to smooth out as we water, roll and topdress the area. 

Greens, tees and fairways have been sprayed to help protect them from snow mold fungus.  Snow mold pressure exists during wet and cold periods and/or periods of extended snow cover.

Edging along many of the paths is being installed.  The edging provides a clean look as well as helps discourage carts from driving off the path near tee and green areas.  Edging this fall is complete along 4 tees, hole 6, 12 tee and green, 13 green, 14 tees and green.

Staff added soil, seed and blanket to the area along the path directly behind the golf shop.  This area is subject to extreme erosion and has been difficult to establish. 

Landscaping around the pool house, golf shop and entrance has been cleaned and prepared for the winter.  Snow fence was installed at the entrance to keep snow from being pushed on to the plants and crushing them.

Native rough mowing continues.  Currently, the East side of the course is finished and the mower will continue its way around the North end and eventually complete the West side of the property.

Greens will be covered starting Monday, November 21.  A temporary hole location will be placed near the approach of each green so one may use this as a target.  Covers will remain on the greens for the winter until temperatures rise near 50 degrees next spring.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael Heustis

Golf Course Superintendent

 

 

Chicago Highlands Golf Course Update November 9, 2011

The golf course is extremely wet.  Rainfall has totalled 1.6" in the last 24 hours.  With colder temperatures, the water does not get used by the turf nor does it evaporate quickly.  The course will remain wet for a number of days and therefore will require carts to stay parked for a longer period than perhaps in the summer months.  Damage caused by equipment or cart traffic will not recover until next spring.

Hole #9 green renovation is complete.  The middle of the green was lowered nearly 5".  The contour of the green is less severe and will allow for many more hole locations throughout the entire green.  The sod on the green will require rolling, topdressing and fertilizing very frequently to smooth the surface.  The green will be in play next spring.  Until then, the hole location has been set in the approach as an intended target for those still wishing to play the hole.  One of the practice holes may also be a good substitute for hole 9 until it re-opens next spring.

Aerification of the remaining practice areas and fairway 9 is on hold until the ground is firm enough.  This may be several days.  Native rough mowing will also resume as weather and conditions allow.

Every year we blow the water out of the irrigation lines to prevent freezing and cracking.  This year the irrigation is scheduled to be blown out beggining November 21.  The process usually requires 2-3 days.

Greens will also be covered the week of Thanksgiving.  In the event we have warmer than normal temperatures this will be delayed until daytime highs dip below 50 degrees.  The covers protect the greens from the freezing and blowing wind throughout the winter.  Such conditions could be detrimental to the turf surviving the winter if left uncovered.  The hole locations will be set in the approaches for those ambitious enough to play throughout the winter months.

In the weeks to come, staff will begin spraying the greens, tees and fairways for snow mold.  Snow mold is a winter disease (fungus) if left untreated can effect large areas of turf thus sacrificing next year's playing conditions.  In periods of extended snow cover the disease can still infect the grass plant regardless of treatments.  

Topdressing greens and tees will also take place soon.  Topdressing prior to winter helps protect the plant from winter damage.  

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael Heustis

Golf Course Superintendent

  

Chicago Highlands Golf Course Update November 5, 2011

Aerification on holes 15, 16, 2, 1 and 18 were completed this week.  Remaining areas include the practice range fairway, 9 fairway, short game approaches and the practice hole fairways.

Hole 9 green will be closed for the remainder of the season beginning at 12:00pm/Noon on Sunday, November 6, 2011.  The process will include lifting the sod and placing it to the side of the green in a specific order.  Shaping will take place Monday morning.  Once finalized, the sod will be replaced exactly from where it was lifted.  Frequent rolling, topdressing, watering and fertilization will take place until the green is in play next spring.  A target hole location will be placed in the approach so the hole may still be played.  

Respectfully submitted,   

 

Michael Heustis

Golf Course Superintendent

 

Chicago Highlands Golf Course Update October 28, 2011

Turf growth rates have declined with the onset of cooler temperatures.  Although we hate to see the golfing season come to an end, this time of year also gives us an opportunity to accomplish multiple projects throughout the golf course. 

We began mowing native areas this week.  Fall mowing will encourage spring establishment and discourage the growth of weeds.  The mowing is challenging given the terrain.  Areas that cannot be mowed with a machine will be trimmed by hand at a later date.

Native areas near the right side of #2, left side of #3 and the left side of #5 have been re-seeded.  Germination will likely take place next spring.  The seed representative for the native areas visited Chicago Highlands early this week.  He was thrilled with the establishment in what he considered still the early stages.  He offered suggestions for further eliminating unwanted weeds and also how to thin and area if it eventually grows too heavy/thick. 

The mounding near the tennis courts has been seeded and erosion control blanket installed.  Germination will likely occur next spring.  This area was seeded with fine fescue just as the native areas on the golf course.

More edging was installed along #4 tees yesterday and today.  The edge of the tee was also straightened by stripping and re-installing the sod.  This was a great improvement.

Minor sod repairs were made to some of the fairways.  Specifically to holes 1,3,7,9,14,15,16 and 18.  Although minor repairs, the improvement is great.

Holes 4, 5, 7 and 13 have thin stands of grass on some areas of the putting greens.  These areas have been over seeded and have recently germinated.  Mowers have been instructed to stay away from these areas to give the seed an opportunity to establish.  You may notice a darker green color in these areas of the greens.  This is because the area has not been mowed for several days.  Once the seed germinates, we may cautiously resume mowing.

The timely rains have prevented us from completing fairway aerification.  The fairways on holes 15, 16, 18, 1, 2 and 9 remain.  This will likely be completed next week weather permitting.

Number 9 green will be renovated on Monday, November 7th.  Staff will begin stripping the sod on Sunday afternoon of November 6th in preparation for work on Monday.  A quick recovery is anticipated.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael Heustis

Golf Course Superintendent