Aerification update

The fairways were aerified today, but due to the wet conditions, we could not clean up all the cores.  As we dry out tomorrow, we will be able to clean off the fairways.  The course will be open tomorrow for walkers only.  If you decide to come out please be prepared for muddy conditions. 

Fairway aerification

Due to the cold temps forecasted for next Monday, we will be aerifying fairways tomorrow and into Tuesday.  Rain is forecasted for tonight, therefore it may be too wet to pulverize all the plugs tomorrow and will have to wait until Tuesday.  I will try to keep you updated on our progress and thank you for your patience. 

Busy Wednesday

We had an extremely productive day on Wednesday, getting a few projects scratched off our list before the rain for Thursday.  The first project of the day was planting trees.

We planted a 'Japanese Maple' near the River Rooms entrance.  This tree will replace the fountain that was there. 

 

We then planted 3 trees along the left side of #10, creating a natural outline to the new hole, just beyond and to the left of the new tees.

The new trees span the gap from the new tees to the fence line.

Because of the trees in the middle of the old fairway, the 10th hole will now be played from the new tees.  All of the markers have been placed on the forward tee for the time being, giving the back tee a little longer to firm up. 

Next on the list was grinding the stumps of the trees that were removed over the winter.  With the wind and sun we had over the last week, the ground firmed up enough for us to get the equipment on the course.

To end the day, we topdressed the new tees on 10.  This will help smooth out any of the imperfections and aid in firming the tee up.

 

Other tasks completed on Wednesday included: stick clean-up, landscaped bed clean-up, fairway mowing and preparations/cleaning of the 15th hole bathrooms. 

Fertilizer pick-up

If you are participating in our Home Lawn Fertilizer Program, we are scheduling a pick-up date on Saturday, April 2nd from 8am - 2pm.  You may stop in at the Maintenance facility between those hours and we will have someone available to load your fertilizer.  If you cannot make that date or time, please contact me to schedule your pick-up at dkoops@findlaycc.com or 616-405-5016

At the time of pick-up, you will receive all the bags of fertilizer that you have ordered along with an informational sheet on how and when to apply the products.  Feel free to call with any questions.  See you on April 2nd.

Open to carts

The course has dried out extremely well in the last couple days due to the sun and high winds.  Because of these drier conditions, carts are now allowed on the course.

 

I had anticipated the new tees on 10 to be ready and open at the start of the season, unfortunately they are still quite soft.  Due to the course rating reflecting the yardage from the new tees, we are asking members to play from the old forward tee on 10 until the new tee opens.  Thanks for your help on this.

We have roped off the old tee and placed a sign asking members to play from the old forward tee for the time being. 

Projects around the shop

With how wet we have been in the last few days, we decided to tackle a few projects around the shop vs. tracking up the golf course with ruts and mud.  The first project was solving a water issue at the shop, every time we had a hard rain, water would get into our break room.  The slope of the pavement would funnel all the water towards the front door, causing water to seep under the door.

We decided to install a retaining wall, keeping the edge about 1" higher than the pavement.  This will keep the water from getting to the building, making the water run along the wall and down towards the drain.

 

The project we tackled this morning was hanging the old front entrance sign on our barn.

With the history of the sign, I didn't want to throw it away.  We thought of possible locations and uses for the sign.  We decided on the wall of the barn is the perfect place to welcome people in to the shop and also showcase the history of the club.

Last chance for fertilzer

Last call for participating in the 'Home Lawn Fertilization Program'.  See the details below:

We (FCC) are going to give you the opportunity to purchase your lawn fertilizer through us, in doing so, you will get a great deal - $79.00 for a four step program that will cover 10,000 square feet of lawn per app.  Each application is less than $20.00 per app  You would pay over $180.00 for the same fertilizer at a home improvement store.  We will tell you when and how to apply, and you will be able to pick up the fertilizer all at one time at the club.  All you need to do is tell us before March 31st if you would like to participate in the plan.  The fertilizer order will be ready for pickup in April, we will charge your account at that time for the program.

 

Findlay Country Club Member

Home lawn fertilization plan, provided by:

• Four applications, less than $20 per application
• Everything you need to keep your lawn healthy
• Plan of application, we tell you when and how to apply
• One stop shop, pick up all the products you need in one stop
• Great value, save over 50% vs. purchasing at a home improvement store
• Supports local business, all products are manufactured in Fostoria

For a one-time charge of $79.00 per 10,000 square feet, you'll receive:

1. Mid-April app, 13-0-0 with Dimension pre-emergent (crabgrass control)
2. Early-June app, 21-0-4 with Mallet insecticide (grub control)
3. Mid-July app, 24-4-12, late summer feed
4. Late-September app, 18-0-2 with Trimec (weed control) the best time to control weeds is in the fall

*Each application consists of 1 bag which covers 10,000 square feet.  Measure your lawn to be sure you order the correct number of bags.  Calibrate your spreader to apply 5lbs of product for every 1,000 square feet.  Always read and follow label directions.

All orders need to be placed by March 31st.  If you would like to take advantage of this program, please call me at 616-405-5016 or email me at dkoops@findlaycc.com to sign up for the plan.  You will need to know the size of your lawn.  A typical suburban home lawn is around 10,000 square feet, if you have a larger lawn, you may need to order more than 1 bag per app.

All the products will be ready for pickup on April 9th.  We will set up a time were members can come pick up their fertilizer and take it home, you will also receive a guide on when and how to apply the products. 

We want our members to be proud of their lawns and we're going to make it easy for you!

Course opening

Not only is the clubhouse welcoming you back, the golf course is also opening and welcoming you to the start of the 2016 season.  Effective Saturday, March 12, we will be open with tee times starting at 9:30.  The course will be open to walkers only until we dry out. 

We had rain for 28 straight hours starting on Wednesday night, dropping just over an inch of rain.  While we are wet, the greens have drained well due to the recent aerification.  This is a true testament to the benefits of aerification. It looks like more rain is on the way in the 5-day forecast, this will push back the date for allowing carts out.  Please note - the driving range remains closed for now. 

Welcome back on the course!

Greens aerifcation

We were scheduled to Aerify greens on March 28 - I decided to move that up a bit.  While you may not have been able to golf on this gorgeous day, we used this great weather to be productive getting the course ready for the season.

 

 

Aerification is important to the overall health and playability of the greens.  No one likes to play while greens are slow and bumpy, but it's a necessary process.  The great news is now that we have this out of the way, you get to play on greens from course opening until October 24 with no more greens aerification.  As of now, we are scheduled to aerify fairways on April 4.

 

Feels like spring

I think that winter has left us for the most part, we may see a few frosty mornings or a snow flake here and there, but spring looks like it's here.  Today was the unofficial beginning of the season for us - transitioning from winter projects to spring clean-up.  The first item on our list is cleaning up the course and preparing it for a not too distant opening. 

We had special help today from the clients at Blanchard Valley Center, they came over this morning to give a great start on picking up sticks.  A big thank you to Molly, Nicole, Jeff and Cary for helping us out!

 

So, when will we open?  Not sure yet, we will see how this weather pattern pans out and how much rain we get this week.  Right now the sun is shining, but we are wet! 

Found - Titleist Pro V1

If you've lost a Titleist Pro V1 on #3, near the Linden by the left fairway bunker, we found it!

It was about 20 feet off the ground.

 It has been up there a while, the braches were starting to compress the ball and grow around it.