Healthy Rough, Unhappy Golfers!

Our goal, as golf course managers is to provide a healthy and vibrant turfgrass that can withstand the damage delivered to it on a daily basis from golfers and mowers.  Well, we have done that in the instances of our rough here at Bellevue!  We have the thickest rough this side of the Mississippi without a doubt!  This year we ended up lowering the height a half inch to combat how tough the rough is to get out of.  We are also experimenting with growth regulators as you can see by the pictures above.  We just sprayed the rough yesterday with a strong regulator.  We will monitor how the grass responds as we may see some discoloration of the grass from the application.

We are here to provide the best possible playing conditions we can and if that means experimenting with different growth regulators to make the golfing experience more enjoyable,  then that is what we will do!  Please bare with us as we do our best to thin the rough out a bit.  Once and if we get dry weather, the rough should thin out some as well.  Until then, do all you can to put the ball in the fairway or first cut!

Mike O'Neill, GCS

Divot Repair Video.

Many members have asked about divot repair and this video explains the proper protocol perfectly!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS4wbbtvyU4&t=22s

First Mow '17

Well it certainly has been a strange winter!  Mild February right into a late dumping of snow created a depressing end to March.  With all that mess behind us we are looking forward to a great 2017!  The mild winter allowed us to get out on the course and accomplish some major tree trimming.  We have focused on holes 2,4,5 and 8 with the trimming.  This area I have felt was the most dense and  needed the most trimming.  Golfers will be pleasantly surprised at the open feel with errant shots on these holes.  The trimming program will continue indefinitely as there are numerous areas to still get to. We will be opening the golf course for walkers this Sunday.  Lets hope for warm weather very soon!

Mike O'Neill, GCS

Winter Work In Full Gear!

As I often get asked "What do you guys do all winter?"  Well, we actually tear down every mower in our fleet of many mowers to replace bearings, change seals and grind and sharpen reels and blades to head off any possible problems that would arise during the season.  The old saying goes..."An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" rings true with our operation daily.  We also address all course accessories from tee markers to benches to ball washers to spike cleaners.  This time certainly allows us the opportunity to address the issues we don't have time to address during the season.  When weather allows, we are on the course trimming trees chipping the limbs and when we get 2 feet of snow we are responsible for the snow removal at the clubhouse.  Our job is multi-faceted to say the least!

Mike O'Neill, GCS

Aggressive Tree Work Before The Snow Flies!

The grounds staff has had the pedal to the metal removing trees on this winters "Hit-list."  We have successfully removed the main trees we wanted to with the pictures above representing the removal of a mature white oak left of the 10th green.  This tree, like all others we remove, was on the master plan for removal as it impedes a fair 3rd shot from the approach area.  Golfers will enjoy having this tree removed come spring time as it totally opens up the back pin area on the green.

Mike O'Neill, GCS

Divot Mix Does have Seed in It!

We have finally discovered a good growing mix this year for our divot mix.  The plain green sand will not grow anything so we mix the green with a nice mix we found and viola! The seed actually germinates!  Please remember to fill all divots and the one next to yours.  Also, the divot mix is intended for all tee and fairway surfaces, not the intermediate rough or the rough itself.

Mike O'Neill,GCS

New Memorial Plaque Installed For Mrs. Joyce Donohoe

The plaque for Joyce came out great and the stone we found on the property really complement the plaque nicely.  The flowers in this memorial garden looked awesome this season as well!

Mike O'Neill, GCS