Weather

It's been really nice to get a little break in the weather lately.  Lows have been in the mid to low 60's. This has been nice to help the greens recover a little. 

The temps look like they are going right back up. The never ending summer of 2016. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Greens

The greens look really healthy. There are a lot of courses throughout Virginia struggling with Turf loss right now. Wet, hot years like this is when we see the true payoff of the greens reconstruction in 2012. 

Even though the high temps have come down a little, we truly won't see a break until the night time lows come down a little. They are consistently in the mid to high 70's. Once these temps start coming down into the low 70's and high 60's we will start to step on the gas again with lower mowing heights, grooming, brushing and rolling. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Greens

The greens looked like complete crap yesterday after all that rain. To the point I didn't sleep very well last night. This morning they look 100% better. It's amazing what a little wind, air movement, North wind, and cooler temps can do.  I feel a lot better this morning. That's why we like it dry in the summer. We can control that water that way. You can put it down but you can't take it away. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Greens

The greens are in the best shape I've ever seen them at point in July (knocking on wood).  Even with the extremely hot July.

I think a lot of it has to do with our early core aerations.  This spring we cored them and it seemed like as soon as they healed we cored them again. We are now seeing the results of that work.  

As of right now....I think we are going to just solid tine and topdress them end of August keeping everything rolling good throughout September, then come back with a small coring time end of October once we are through the meat of tournament season. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Weather

Greens holding in there and August is almost here. Couple more weeks and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

The guys have been working some long, miserable hours.  If you see the guys out there watering or working tell them how much you appreciate them. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Winner

Lynda McNitt won the sleeve of balls. 

The correct answer is traffic. All the answers are important but making sure that the pins are in good healthy locations, and we rope any walk ons that are beginning to show stress is essential. One day of heavy play in a location on the green that is already stressed can send that area over the edge. This is one of the reasons we get a little "creative" with pin locations this time of year. 

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606

Free sleeve of pro-v1

First person to email me with the correct answer wins a sleeve of pro-v1 balls. 

Which is the most important factor (here at TRCC) when it comes to stress management and Turf health on greens this time of year?

A.) Heat

B.) Moisture/irrigation/rain

C.) Fungicide Program 

D.) Traffic management - both foot and mechanical. 

I like this question because you can't find it on Google.  They're all important and vital to the health of the green but one is most important this time of year. 

The picture of #6 green is provided as a hint....especially those of you that played on Saturday. 

Good luck

Brent Graham, CGCS

Two Rivers Country Club

1950 Two Rivers Rd 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office: 757-258-4606