Good Morning,
For the past couple of weeks the maintenance staff has been busy with our daily practices. We are in full swing with our maintenance schedules and focusing on keeping the golf course in a consistent condition each day. Everything looks really nice at this point in the season. The staff is doing a great job.
Landscaping remains a main focus on the grounds. We finished installing the new landscaping area by the blue tees on hole number five. This area was raised approximately twelve inches to improve drainage. Historically it has been poor soil conditions with saturated soil. This coming week we will add the Craig Miller memorial wood carving to this area.
The waterfall landscaping has been completely addressed; all levels of the rock walls were repaired and built approximately one foot higher than before. We added black soil to all levels to create better soil for the new plant materials currently being designed for this area. The waterfall pump was installed and we now have flowing water during golf hours each day.
Landscaping around the gazebo was also updated; black soil was added to create a berm around the area. We added some new plant materials to this area. The design process is still underway for the remaining plant materials to be added.
The next landscaping focus will be around the clubhouse and the driving range area. The clubhouse will have additional plant materials to help improve the area. New mulch will also be added to coincide with the other landscaping areas on the golf course. We will also look at the addition of a new landscaping area featuring a rules & policies sign behind #1 tees later in the season.
Practice Facilities 6-12-2026.jpeg
Staff regularly waters the new plant materials. We are focusing on keeping the plant materials well maintained until they establish fully. I will soon contact the volunteers who adopted landscaping areas to share additional information on tending to those areas.
All tile areas south of the wetlands pond have been cleaned, repaired, and tested. Rodent guards have also been installed on all tile outlets and inlets to prevent muskrats from entering. We have seeded the repair areas in the rough east of the number thirteen fairway.
#13 Tile Repair 6-17-2026.jpeg
Tile Repair Seeding 6-17-2026.jpeg
Last week, I sprayed the greens with a fungicide, a wetting agent, and a foliar fertilizer. The spraying program for the greens schedules applications every 14 days. I will also regularly spray new foliar products on the greens to help reduce the organic matter layers in our soil. These spraying applications are conducted early in the morning if they are foliar, or in the late evening if irrigation is needed following the application.
I have also been spraying the golf course to control clover and goosegrass. Some of our sand traps have goosegrass around the perimeters and require a special chemical for control. The remainder of the clover is treated with a single product focused on broadleaf weed control. I have treated approximately 75% of the golf course for clover.
At the end of June I will treat the tees, fairways, green surrounds, sand trap surrounds, and some rough areas with an insecticide to prevent grubs in the turfgrass. This treatment is critical to lessen the turf damage caused by skunks and other animals digging for grubs. It will be done in the late evenings because it requires irrigation after application.
The City Council approved the engineering contract with Kruse, Cate, and Nelson for the 2027 cart path project. Currently the engineer is currently meeting with contractors to discuss the scope of the project and timeframe. We tentatively plan to close briefly in mid October to complete this project promptly. This project has been discussed for several years and is finally coming to fruition.
On Tuesday, we hosted the ladies Two Gal Triple Treat with a great turnout of lady golfers. On Saturday, we hosted the JayCees fundraiser to support area children. On Monday, we will host the Senior Men in the morning and the Siouxland Golf Course Superintendents in the afternoon. Please contact the clubhouse for available open golf on Monday. The clubhouse has been very busy and is doing a great job.
Please reach out with any questions or additional information regarding the golf course. Summer has finally arrived. 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