Good Morning,
Last week, we again experienced fluctuating weather patterns. Some days offer beautiful golf, while others bring severe weather patterns that require us to seek shelter. Should I stay on the golf course and finish my round? Should I pay attention to the air horn or the tornado siren? I have attached a document detailing the different protocols at The Muni:
SMGC Fire and Weather Protocols
We have experienced significant standing water and saturated soil conditions on hole #13 and around the wetlands pond behind #12. Muskrats entered the outlet tile on the SE corner of the irrigation pond and started nesting. This caused water to remain in the wetlands pond which in turn backed up the tiles running into the area from the south on #13. The end result is severely saturated soil conditions and very poor drainage.
#12 Tile Outlet in Irrig Pond.jpeg
The street division was on site, early in the week, to help us jet these tiles and clean them of any debris. The large vacuum truck parked in the driveway off #12, and the portable unit was brought onto the golf course to complete the task. We started at the tile outlet entering the irrigation pond.
#12 Tile Outlet in Irrig Pond.jpeg
Tile debris was plugging the line approximately 168 feet in. After multiple passes through the tile we reached the clean out and overflow section of the wetlands pond.
In less than two hours the water level in the wetlands pond had dropped a couple of feet. Once the water level dropped, we accessed one of the tile lines entering the wetlands pond from #13. Several passes with the jet cleaned out this tile line for several hundred feet to the south. Water immediately started flowing from this tile line. The tiles are still running and the saturated soil issue has lessened.
#12 Wetlands Drained.jpegWe still plan to clean a couple of additional tiles in the near future. This project went exceptionally smoothly. A huge thank you to the Public Works and the Street Division staff who made this possible. Very much appreciated. It’s always a great feeling knowing that any City department is only a phone call away to help out another department however possible. Teamwork!
The remainder of the week staff increased some of our mowing frequencies. Growing conditions slowed a little this weekend but overall the golf course looks great. Our greens are still rolling slowly, but that is normal for this time of year. We are currently mowing them at slightly more than 5/32 of an inch. In a few weeks they will be back closer to 1/8 of an inch.
#18 on 4-14-2026.jpegThis coming week staff will be working on:
- Hauling new sand to most of the traps
- Continue working on landscaping areas
- Daily maintenance and mowing practices
- Plant trees Thursday @ 1:00 (Volunteers welcome to participate)
The tree planting will start at the golf course on Thursday, April 23, at 1:00. An Iowa DNR Forester will give a presentation, followed by tree planting at the golf course, cemetery, and parks department. This is the first phase of a $30,000 tree grant secured by Bob Fullhart, Parks and Recreation Director.
It’s a little breezy today but temperatures are starting to rise. Please reach out with any questions or additional information needed regarding the golf course. Enjoy your Sunday!
Brian C Mohr
Director of Golf Operations
City of Spencer
101 W 5th Street
Spencer Municipal Golf Course
Spencer, Iowa 51301
712-260-5370