Spring

Spring has officially arrived here on Cape Cod. Peter O'Brian, former CCCC Superintendent, told me 5 green was always delayed in the Spring. His solution was to put a turf cover on it. Covers are used for many reasons. The main result from using a cover is that it will raise the soil temperature beneath. This increase in soil temperature in the early part of the year is obvious: the grass is much greener. There are hazards to simply pulling the cover off. This turf is not acclimated to the weather. It is used to being warmer. It thinks it is really nice out and is at risk of going into shock which will force it to go backwards. Cold temperatures will trigger the natural process of going dormant and preparing for winter. To off-set this we have to pull the cover during the day and re-cover at night until the weather cooperates. We opened it today but the cover is rolled up in the back for easy access to re-cover at the end of the day. Please use caution around the cover, take relief and stay off it if possible. We may be able to leave it off for a couple of days and nights towards the end of the week but early next week it looks like night temps in the 20's again. Peter has been thrilled to see pictures of the green knowing his idea is bearing fruit.

5 green

5 green

Mike and Harry blowing leaves

We started poking some holes in tees today trying to make a seed bed to start the recovery on a few weak areas. It is way too cold to get any seed to germinate but we will use the process explained above to raise the temps. We will be laying regular tarps down and eventually the greens cover from 5 once we can remove it permanently. The tarps will be more effective since they do not breath like the covers but will have to be monitored more closely. It will be a first for me but hopefully it will speed things up a bit. Obviously the covered tee areas will be closed so please stay off them.We should be opening up the regular tees this week. Happy Spring!!