GMS at Pueblo del Sol C.C.: July 2023

We are now entering the truly challenging part of our year....... the "Dog Days" of summer have begun. Everyday is the same out here, 90+ degree days, 70+ degree nights.....with afternoon winds. Needless to say it's a tough time for our cool season turf. Our heavy poa(annual bluegrass) areas in fairways have already taken a hit due to the extended period of high heat. The poa starts to stress as temps rise above 90 deg. The root growth stops thus making it hard for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. Basically it's the time when energy consumption (respiration) exceeds energy production (photosynthesis). So at the moment we are hanging on and waiting for some relief(hopefully soon )..........from the 💧rain 💧Gods.

Rain Measurements so far: Jan - March : 1.78"
April- July : .9" 😓😟

stressed poa area #15 fairway

another stressed heavy poa area #18 fairway with a bit of pythium(a turf fungus that has already been sprayed)

This is what cart traffic does to stressed turf.......

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
- Russel Baker

JULY means it's time for some needle tine aerification on greens

We will start doing a needle tine on greens this week and finishing up early next week. It takes about 30 minutes to vent an average sized green , and with the first few groups playing "polo" golf, we just can't finish in one day. We will try to do 6/7 holes on each day(Thurs/Tues/Wed). We will follow up each needle tined green with a roll that will smooth the very minimal disruption of the turf. When we vent the greens via the needle tine process we are:

allowing oxygen into the root zone and releasing carbon dioxide build up
improve water penetration , more available to the roots
creating "channels" below the surface which can allow roots to become healthier and fill these small areas.
an overall improvement in the environment that helps all the good microbes in the green profile

Improving stress tolerance and water movement are crucial to the survival of the greens in summer.

Dave doing the needle tine

barely a disturbance with a tine diameter of .320 going 4" deep

Rolling green after punch

Green after the needle tine and roll

Full moon early July morning......

Super moon morning August 1

Full prune/edge/cleanup on all lake edges

We have nearly completed our lake edge cleanup this month

Pedro is the man behind the mask on the lakes

wispy clouds on another windy afternoon......

No better moment ...... Sunrise at the course !

And to whomever has been practicing on #9 fairway the last few weeks and creating all those divots and not fixing them(e.g., sand mix/replace the divots)......... find a new sport/hobby AND a different venue. No golf course wants or needs that kind of patronage. 😠