Winter Course Update

"Be careful what you wish for!" Famous words from the movie Home Alone. Although, none of us have woken up to find our family disappear, we have woken up to something we probably never thought we would see, two blizzards four days apart! I knew it would start soon and I wasn't far off, "are the greens okay with all this snow?" Without hesitation, Yes. We have had a very very cold winter, even before the snow. These temperatures allowed the ground to freeze solid. We also had a very cold first snow which didn't allow any ice to form on the surface of the greens. Having a good snow layer first, really helps protect our turf. The snow provides a "blanket" and will keep the turf free from all we are experiencing, wind, mixes of precipitation and the continued cold. In 1996, courses in our area had major winter kill, especially on greens. This was because of the ice storm we experienced prior to any snow. Ice acts like a plastic bag, it lets no oxygen in and lets no toxic gases out. Result is turf loss.

As we move closer to spring we will monitor additional storms and the melting of the snow. There is a chance that when we begin to see a significant melting of all this snow, we could begin to form ice on the greens. If we feel that this is becoming an issu,e we will take the appropriate steps to remove the ice.

The recent storm that packed heavy winds has no doubt done some damage to our trees. Currently, I have only been able to assess what damage has occurred around the clubhouse. We need a little bit more snow to melt in order for the truck to make its' way around the entire course. Once I am able to make a full assessment, I will post any important information.

I have always been a glass half full kind of person. I believe anyone in this business has to or we wouldn't be here. The snow cover has allowed us to complete some small projects we normally wouldn't be able to complete over the winter. I posted earlier about our new tee markers. We are in full swing and will have all new "homemade" markers completed for opening day. We have also sandblasted all of our ballwashers and stands. This has taken the years of paint layers off. We are in the process of re-priming and painting.

I am definitely looking forward to the snow melting and getting back out there. There are several projects that came to a screeching halt that we need to complete. Native area work and finishing our bunker project are a couple. We are going to do everything in our power to have these completed on time, we just need a little help from Mother Nature.

Check out GIS 2010

Here is a small preview of GIS 2010.

GCSAA TV

Well today things started getting interesting in San Diego for the GIS Show. This morning I headed over to the convention center to get the rest of my credentials. I was met by Leslie Renzlemen and her staff and was given a tour of the Test Drive Technology Lab. We sat for lunch and discussed some great new technology ideas for GCSAA and Superintendents. For those of you who haven't taken the leap into some of the technology that is available to us, you need to!! Although, I would have to assume if you are reading this, you already have. Lunch was fantastic and the conversation was great.

After lunch we headed off to the GCSAA media area to film my short clip for GCSAA TV.. I was filmed discussing the great iPhone apps I use as a Superintendent. The clip will be posted tomorrow, I look forward to seeing it. I will have some photos and videos from the Test Drive Technology Lab on Thursday and post on here.

Come back for more information into my trip to GIS or follow me on twitter @greensuper. I am posting quite often on twitter as to happenings in San Diego.