As I write this newsletter, it is August 20 and we are past what is, in my opinion, the toughest time of the year for golf course maintenance in the midwest United States-that time period between July 15 and August 15. Everything is tired. Turf is stressed due to heavy wear from traffic, drought stress (at least until July 31 this season) and disease pressure (which is greater this year than previous seasons). The crew is tired as well from the grind of another season of golf course maintenance that requires getting up extremely early to work and being available to assist on weekends. Much like the permafrost in parts of earth where the ground always is frozen, I like to call the state of some folks who work on golf courses this time of the year as perma-tired. Once the days shorten and nights become cooler, this condition usually goes away and I know we are all looking forward to it. Meanwhile, we continue to grind out work-starting with the irrigation system.
While planning and permitting for a new irrigation system continues, we will still need to rely on the existing system until a new system is acquired and functional in a few years. Of late, we have been upgrading a few of the snake infested irrigation control satellites.
Irrigation Satellite 2E 7-13-2024
These snakes make a mess of the electronics and wiring in this 40+ year old technology though many are simply failing due to extreme age. The cost-effective solution in the short term is to replace the most problematic of these boxes with 20+ year old technology. We started this process last year. Working with our RainBird distributor, we have acquired 6 used controller satellites cheap to be used to replace these stinkers which will help us to dependably water the golf course in the future. This is like upgrading your car from a 1976 Ford Pinto to a 2003 Chevy Cavalier. This process starts with us removing the old equipment first.
Satellite Removal 8N 8-17-2024
After removing the old units-3 in this case-we organize and consolidate the wiring and make a new concrete slab for the new equipment
New Irrigation Satellite Slab 8-19-2024
New Satellite Controller Installation and Final Wiring 8-20-2024
We then install the single new/used satellite that has the ability to do the work of four of the older ones. This is extremely helpful considering that many of these existing boxes are being asked to water more sprinklers than they were designed to and a controller with more capacity will really help in programming flexibility. An added benefit is that pulling the old boxes allows us to salvage the still functioning electronics to be used in the future on the golf course. We have salvaged 10 of these boards and at a price of $400 for rebuilt ones (they are no longer available new as they have not been manufactured since before the internet), this process pays for itself.
Plus pulling stuff out of the ground with chains is fun.
Also fun, at least to me, has been the work by the clubhouse these past five seasons.
Nemadji Patio Ornamentals 8-19-2024
Having worked in the resort environment for 23 years before coming to Nemadji, I learned the importance ornamental areas have in enhancing the quality of a facility-especially in places that people see most frequently. Such as main entrances and around the clubhouse/restaurant. The picture above shows one of the better plantings at Nemadji-a successful planting with a clear view of 9 North in the background and a lower area with a table and chairs for seating. I am very proud the work we have done at Nemadji both with this work and with dead tree removal though in the case of the clubhouse area we removed close to 20 trees that made the entire clubhouse area appear, frankly, overgrown and haunted. As the picture below shows.
Nemadji Pre 2020
Moving on to turf talk, I had mentioned earlier that disease pressure this season has been relatively high-especially in regards to a fungal disease called Dollar Spot. Look it up.
Turfgrass Diseases: Dollar Spot (Causal fungus: Clarireedia jacksonii) (psu.edu)
Dollar Spot 12W Approach 8-18-2024
By far the most common summer/fall turfgrass disease in this area, Dollar Spot is a disease caused by a fungus that thrives in humid conditions when heavy dews persist long into the morning. A relatively slow moving disease, left untreated this disease will be spread by mowers and over a period of time will damage large areas of turf including greens if left untreated. At Nemadji, we protect greens first and foremost while tolerating some damage on tees and fairways without letting the disease get out of hand. Moderate levels of nitrogen fertilization help as do strategic and intelligent fungicide applications. To protect everything completely would be cost prohibitive in both time and supplies for this facility.
Active Dollar Spot in rough adjacent to 4N green. Note how green/collar area is clean.
8-18-2024
None of the work that we do on the golf course would be possible without a dependable staff. We had numerous new faces this season-as is the case with golf course maintenance crews since working early-and particularly on weekends-is too much for many people. I get it-this work can be a real grind sometimes. The often physical nature of the work can be tough or people move on to do something different with their lives. Either way, I actually enjoy getting to know new people who often bring a welcome new perspective to the workplace and keep the work interesting. I sincerely thank everyone on the Nemadji Crew for their help in doing what we do on the golf course.
Humans from left to right: Carter Kalin, Ted Kiefat, David Drabek, Seth Pettingill, Bruce Jenkins, Brad Little, Phil Sakells, Brian Wallin, Gary Vreeland, Vincent Dodge, Lyn Ellingson, George Bibeau, Mason Morris, Deb Breitigan, Doug Dunsmoor, Tim Breitigan, Bob Kolbe, Jack Lee, Noah Krieg-Romig, and John Wallin
Dogs left to right: Chopper(6), Bentley(2), and Boomer(13)
See you on the golf course.
