Good Morning,
This past week, staff focused on the remaining landscaping plant materials. We finished adding new plant materials to the waterfall landscaping on #10 and the gazebo langscaping.
Early in the week, Crystal O’Clair was at the golf course, to plant some additional items in the tee box landscaping areas. Staff also worked on several holes adding plant materials that were back ordered from the initial part of the project. Staff has continued to water the new plants and trees regularly.
We greatly appreciate Crystal’s volunteer work helping us complete the landscape renovation with input from a Master Gardener. I am also thankful to those who have adapted landscaping areas on the golf course. The volunteer hours really help keep these areas looking great.
I also want to thank those individuals who have adopted landscaping areas for their help. As we move through the remainder of the golf season, please check these areas for weed control, provide additional water if necessary, and keep the landscaping clear of debris.
Staff has continued to haul new sand to the bunkers around the golf course. We have finished adding new sand to all fairway bunkers. Currently we are returning to several greenside traps to add new sand. This coming week staff will add additional sand to both bunkers on hole #3 and address any other sand traps that need a little bit more sand in some areas. This process has improved the overall quality of our sand traps around the golf course. Although they are considered a hazard in the game of golf, we want them to be consistent and uniform regarding playability.
#8 Green 7-17-26.jpegI continued to spot spray for clover around the golf course. There is a lot of clover and this has become a weekly process. The higher temperatures and lack of precipitation make controlling clover more challenging. The plant goes into a survival mode and does not take up the herbicide consistently. I will continue this process later as we move into cooler temperatures in late August. (The airplane was not used for our chemical applications. It was simply cool to see it flying while I was spraying.)
#13 on 7-18-26.jpegThis morning I treated our greens with a fungicide prevention, insecticide prevention, some foliar fertilizer, and a wetting agent. These scheduled applications help maintain the golf greens at such a high level. Our golf greens are growing very rapidly but are in overall fantastic shape.
I am extremely happy with the condition of the golf course at this point of the season. The weather conditions are not at all favorable for overall turfgrass health. Staff has been very busy with daily maintenance practices to ensure the golf course remains in fantastic condition daily. I’m extremely proud and thankful for all of their dedication and hard work. Each team member definitely takes massive pride in their work and the golf course conditions.
This upcoming week I will be spraying a fungicide on the fairways, tees, green surrounds, and some of the rough. This application is done annually to control the presence of grubs. I had planned to make this application last week but decided to wait until the temperatures return a little closer to normal.
The City Council will meet Monday evening to approve the Notice of Bidder and Notice of Public Hearing for the asphalt cart path project planned for October. The engineer and I decided the golf course will most likely close during the project to allow the contractor to complete everything in a timely manner while ensuring a safe work environment.
They will also be asked to approve the purchase of 20 new rental carts for the golf course. The Muni has seen an increase in golf each of the past six seasons. The current season is on pace to set another record for rounds played. We are consistently running out of rental carts. These new carts will replace the same number of 2012 Yamaha carts.
I would entertain questions or the need for additional information regarding the golf course. Please enjoy the remainder of your weekend.
Brian C Mohr
Director of Golf Operations
City of Spencer
101 W 5th Street
Spencer Municipal Golf Course
Spencer, Iowa 51301
712-260-5370