Grounds Update

The Grounds team has been busy across the golf course and grounds. The weather has been much more consistent, and we are starting to see many of the grasses actively growing.
 
Zoysiagrass Fairways:

 
Low lying, shaded areas in the fairways have been impacted with winter injury, we have placed directional ropes and Geo Fences in the GPS system to help reduce traffic in these weaker areas. During the restoration 33,000 lineal feet of drainage will be installed that will cover ~ 10 acres of fairways/ rough areas. With past drainage installations the course will have about half of the 30 acres of the fairways with internal drainage. The additional tree removal will assist allowing more sunlight for photosynthesis to grow healthy turf reducing the chances of winter injury in the future.
 
Currently, the Grounds team has aerified all winter injury in the fairways along with additional fertilizer applications. Over the coming weeks, sodding, plugging and little patience to allow for the turf to recover on its own.
 
Fine Fescue Establishment:
 
Fine Fescue Turfgrasses provide the following:
 
Drought Tolerance 
Shade Tolerance 
Soft Texture 
Natural Appearance 
Playability 
Stability on steep hillsides

 
The areas that were cleared over the winter  that were seeded and covered are starting to establish, weed control via mechanical means and herbicides to reduce weed competition.  The advance planting of Fine Fescue will help these slow growing grasses to develop. Fine Fescues can take 12-18 months to develop a seed head. We have begun another trial between 10/11 with FF, we will keep you posted on the development. In the fall we continue to establish Fine Fescue on holes, 1,2, 7,12 and 18. These areas will not be impacted by the restoration, and it will allow us to establish turf in "out of the way"non-irrigated areas. 

Fine Fescue on 5 Hillside

Hydroseeding of slopes with Fine Fescues

H2-B Guest Workers:

We received great news that our team from Mexico will be finally joining us in May! This will mark the 9^th year that they will be assisting on the grounds of the golf course.

Practice Area:

I have been asked a few questions on the proper etiquette on divot removal on the grass tees. Below are a few pictures of divot patterns that are exhibited at HP. Ideally there is one divot pattern that should be utilized for increased recuperation and the most efficient use of turf, better known as a “lineal” divot pattern. The lineal divot pattern is a series of divots connected in a lineal fashion with a minimum of 2-3” of turf between each strip. The creeping Bentgrass/Zoysia grass left between the divots will grow horizontally, decreasing the amount of time for recovery. 

 
Putting Green Aeration:

The greens are healing well, we have lowered mowing heights twice and we will continue to work on texture and smoothness of the surface.

Thanks for your feedback and comments around the course and grounds. Please reach out if you have any questions grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Pat O'Brien,

Grounds Superintendent

Tulip Recycling 2024

Tulips:

Another tulip season in is the books, which showcased roughly 10,000 tulips this year and over 10 different colors and patterns. I am often asked what happens to them next. A great question and to keep the landscape beds fresh and new for the following year, we pull all the bulbs out of the ground so that we do not get any unwanted colors mixed in with the new bulbs that will be planted in the fall. We also amend and till the beds in preparation for the Summer Annuals, in many cases this damages the bulb from blooming the following year.

If you are interested in recycling the bulbs to create your own masterpiece at your home we will remove the tulips and place in piles in the landscape beds. Please bring your own buckets/boxes/bags and gather what you would like. Below, is a brief guide on how to care for the bulbs.  Any questions do not hesitate to ask? Spring bulbs were a huge success, and we are getting close to planting the summer annuals. 

How to care/store/replant springtime bulbs:

• Find a covered well-ventilated area to lay out all your bulbs (leaves and bulbs still attached), making sure they do not touch.

• Once the leaves have dried out and turned yellow or brown, you can cut the leaves off all the way back to the bulb (this could take a few weeks).

• Store in a cool, dark, ventilated area like a basement or garage until fall.

• When it is time to plant in the fall, plant bulbs 3-5 inches in the ground, please keep in mind that 100 percent of the bulbs may not bloom again, so plant a few extra! 

Cheers!

Bryan Miller

Director of Horticulture