tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9095925325748424462024-03-05T09:17:45.942-05:00Mink Meadows Turf Maintenance Departmentan informative and educational tool to highlight the work done to maintain all of what is Mink Meadows, an association with a beach and semi-private golf club on martha's vineyard, massMatthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-19603464424055807942021-02-14T07:48:00.002-05:002021-02-14T07:50:30.735-05:00National Award Winner<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">It has been awhile since I typed in these pages. I have no idea if anyone still gets an update to a new posting or if anyone even reads these old ones? I have some news and it pertains to the years I was the Superintendent at Mink so I thought I would post it here just in case anyone might want to see it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I was awarded the 2021 GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) Presidents Award for Environmental Stewardship.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There is an article in the monthly magazine GCM (Golf Course Management) covering the award. The photographer who did the shoot lives on MV. The author surprised me by putting me on the cover. There is a link to the full magazine below and also pictures of just the article. </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us-west-2.protection.sophos.com/?d=mydigitalpublication.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9sc2MtcGFnZXByby5teWRpZ2l0YWxwdWJsaWNhdGlvbi5jb20vcHVibGljYXRpb24vP2k9NjkwNDk0&i=NTUxMzI3ZjdlNGIwNTdkYTY5YWIzYzUx&t=SGNndUNqOWVhUWVMZ2dwK1JQQUdSTjg5SGlzMXZwK2xDNGJHbFlLVjVNdz0=&h=c1b4dea0cebf4a589259d753683497ee">February 2021 GCM</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXYrxBmfaS0Tooa90vgMQFiUfp4eZ9tfmLhU_aORYQeATZ0KJ-VpXaRNYtcogtpvNfkKNegqKc5ajI1gV5Lko-r1FCVcxG0PnTnD4RotbaLDQ-Ts-oCMBjcJfCVs9Km5zxyUFJ9b97hwY/s2048/1B9AA1EB-BC2E-4E80-A760-53A621D60B41.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTVl_NzIj4U_LRudGEdCdcRkSyj6x2G7t3VmvwVMP9TH4rvoUbOD1X9EIT_JvpRSOM4t17Pb7HkX7V9Ht7CG4dWQ-aIloEHGEMOt39HDCQrn5dITKlEtKBiLYc3sGjdatgQ2Dc4AaoVmN/s2048/6C08898F-C833-4E4D-8E53-80CE949F297E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTVl_NzIj4U_LRudGEdCdcRkSyj6x2G7t3VmvwVMP9TH4rvoUbOD1X9EIT_JvpRSOM4t17Pb7HkX7V9Ht7CG4dWQ-aIloEHGEMOt39HDCQrn5dITKlEtKBiLYc3sGjdatgQ2Dc4AaoVmN/w480-h640/6C08898F-C833-4E4D-8E53-80CE949F297E.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /> <p></p>Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-37282656253441764842019-02-27T14:10:00.000-05:002019-02-27T14:10:39.388-05:0024 Winters and Saying Good-byeWhere do you even begin? After 24 Winters my time on Martha's Vineyard has come to an end. I have accepted an offer on Cape Cod and will be moving into our home in the town of Sandwich. In some ways it was the hardest decision to make. In others, the easiest. We have never had clear long term plans choosing to live life as it came. When I achieved Certification in 1999 many of you were saddened because you assumed it meant I was leaving. When we purchased our home it was the same. For 10 years we fielded questions about where we lived from relatives, members, peers, you name it. Seems no one could grasp the concept of needing to own a home and choosing one in the general area. I always said it would have been easier if we bought in Florida or some other "retirement" location. I do not have to explain to most of you reading this the difficulties of having a property you do not live in full time. For most it is a second home and seasonal. You spend months at a time or seasons in each location. For us it was hours and days. There are many reasons for our decision to leave but one of the main ones is to simply live in our own home. That is a concept many of you have not had the misfortune to experience. We are over 50 and have never lived in our own home. We had several apartments starting with our first which was 30 years ago now. None will have as many cherished memories as the one above the clubhouse.<br />
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Jobs can be special. I cannot tell you how many people tell me how much they loved their summer job working on a golf course all those many years ago. Properties can be special, especially when your job is to be the steward and you spend most of your time on it. What makes life memorable and complete is the people. We have such fond memories of life on Martha's Vineyard and Mink Meadows but it is through the experiences with all of the people that make them special. There are so many that have touched our lives it would be impossible to ramble on without forgetting someone. Many have passed away which is to be expected after 24 winters. Others have moved away. As it is our time to do just that.<br />
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It is impossible to sum up in a few words what it has been like being at Mink Meadows. We moved there in our 20's with a 4 year old. Many of you not only watched him grow but played a part in his upbringing helping us make him into the wonderful man he is today. Whether it was simply stopping to toss the ball with him and his friends as the played on the lawn or asking him how his school work was going and offering kind words. We were not only treated like family by the Mink Meadows landowners but also the members of the club. For that we will be forever grateful. We will miss you all very much but are only a boat ride away.<br />
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Part of our family life included two amazing dogs. I am especially grateful to everyone who allowed that to happen. There is still a hole in my life not having a furry friend by my side. I also want to thank you all for tolerating my unconventional methods of green keeping. I was certainly trained in conventional methods and why I chose to be as environmentally conscience is still a mystery, even to me. I chose a wait and see approach when it came to insecticide use. We suffer through some damage as the predators tear up the grass looking for grubs but you all have been tolerant buying into the thought that it is worth it over wide spread chemical use. The use of the Bioject where we brewed a natural bacteria to suppress fungi on fairways was another example. The 21 straight seasons is as much your accomplishment as mine. I will tell you I had decided to abandon that for this upcoming season. My plan was to spray the fairways conventionally and see if they performed better. This was my decision alone just as it was to try the Bioject in the first place. Part of the beauty of this business is that you can never rest on your laurels and you have to be willing to change and grow. This is made easier when you have an understanding membership, board, ownership. I would not be half the Superintendent I am without all the support and willingness to allow me to grow and learn over the years. I know you will do the same for my successor.<br />
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I hope everyone has had a great Winter and continues to have a healthy and wonderful season.<br />
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-52031435347569882012019-02-13T07:08:00.002-05:002019-02-13T07:08:57.235-05:00Winter's first snow<div dir="ltr">
It was bound to happen. It is winter after all and it has been cold. Eventually one of the storms hitting New England was going to give us snow instead of rain. Of course I never said it had to last. We received about 2-3 inches starting around 1 PM. The new heater in the apartment stopped working so while the repair guy was making the trek down and up the stairs to his van for supplies and tools I kept the stairs swept off for safety. During one of these forays I noticed the snow had changed to a heavy wet "snowman" consistency. Feeling the childish impulse I decided to oblige myself (a rarity for anyone who knows me) and put a "Frosty" on the bench on the 10th tee. As I did this I could feel the precipitation changing to frozen grains. The heat was repaired and normal life resumed until the kitchen sink decided it would stop draining....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why so glum chum? </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frozen grains on deck about 5 PM</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning no "Frosty"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another saturated winter day</td></tr>
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And just like that it was all gone. My hope is the 1.03" and high temperature of 52 maybe broke the frost but based on the short walk to work I have my doubts. I will walk the course to check and more then likely close the greens once again. It is down to 42 already and night time temps are predicted for 20's so the cycle continues. Saturate - freeze -thaw- freeze. Fingers crossed for the hearty souls who are still playing but my gut tells me we are in for a mushy stretch which will require the greens to remain closed until they drain and firm up.Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-13601734301867480902019-01-31T09:57:00.000-05:002019-01-31T09:57:16.272-05:00Winter and the 4 F'sThe roller coaster continues. This is our second spell of single digit temperatures this winter season. It has been wet with over 7" of rain in January and fairly mild temps but these deep freezes remind us that is is truly winter. We continued our light and air enhancement of the third green. The unexpected bonus of this tree removal was the improved sight lines to the fourth hole. The stunted cherry on the edge of this tree cluster was saved, for now, and should make a nice specimen tree in the area.<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVjEjuh0YMxsnmzPZQLtYpz3yUT7jwDiFwC8xn_p-ixypgtCSYuNz4WLzxSzDVm2HDXmxdAMpHWAXPynOaxA5s6_DCmTcvJP0UwnJm9Dp2jNNs4Ekwruc99ngq3WP136A7YtsD7g4y5qW/s1600/3+green+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVjEjuh0YMxsnmzPZQLtYpz3yUT7jwDiFwC8xn_p-ixypgtCSYuNz4WLzxSzDVm2HDXmxdAMpHWAXPynOaxA5s6_DCmTcvJP0UwnJm9Dp2jNNs4Ekwruc99ngq3WP136A7YtsD7g4y5qW/s400/3+green+after.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 green corner thinned out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieakZR8-wQCy5UoHSQWc5kbSHoSIPwLejnDRZc_Sbp8aphRX1GtEvVed9iJvfrpORfO7W9v3oDv5RQvfGZdGxWrPjtA_894dWptHftG7NARvmQY7N2J-1Suky2763Bg-4Mo0q_HGwlSAhU/s1600/3+green+after1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieakZR8-wQCy5UoHSQWc5kbSHoSIPwLejnDRZc_Sbp8aphRX1GtEvVed9iJvfrpORfO7W9v3oDv5RQvfGZdGxWrPjtA_894dWptHftG7NARvmQY7N2J-1Suky2763Bg-4Mo0q_HGwlSAhU/s400/3+green+after1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice view of 4</td></tr>
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This should really help get some much needed morning sun onto the 3rd green. It will also allow for errant shots to the left be found and played easier which will speed up play.</div>
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These roller coaster temps with rain have created some issues when it comes to the ability to stay on the greens. When they are completely frozen damage is not an issue. Nor is it a big deal if they are firm when not frozen. It is when there is frost in the ground and the temps get above freezing the surface can become mushy with the ground underneath frozen. A simple way to think about when the greens are playable is the 4 F's: Frost Free or Fully Frozen. It may not be a perfect axiom but it is close.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD4QWBSF_2IHn60CkMvWqRMmNx6cV5Yyp3QdZyYQSLteKYTqO1QysCuuMTH6fQuYQxIXKfvov8DYpTqpKugtFBt1RC1UxpV2cQR-gJVezqYhOgm5vJb9KOUqhKeGt2ZqH2P7H0ipwleeD/s1600/footprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD4QWBSF_2IHn60CkMvWqRMmNx6cV5Yyp3QdZyYQSLteKYTqO1QysCuuMTH6fQuYQxIXKfvov8DYpTqpKugtFBt1RC1UxpV2cQR-gJVezqYhOgm5vJb9KOUqhKeGt2ZqH2P7H0ipwleeD/s400/footprints.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foot prints in soft wet greens while frozen underneath<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Here is a deep dive from the USGA on the principles of winter play: <a href="http://gsrpdf.lib.msu.edu/ticpdf.py?file=/article/hartwiger-moeller-winter-1-9-15.pdf" target="_blank">USGA winter play article</a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGjrvKVCBDapyYM9kcK1Xky0Exs7IQJsLQH6yI0DDFkrv6CLBLXxjpk7B9r3XDq5S-FFhMpzY9b5-gn3fnjoUsawKnWEW9JRiaY8kGIRjYgzd_sqicI-astgqsZQDwK-zDe_bv-rCwENN/s1600/ice+puddle+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGjrvKVCBDapyYM9kcK1Xky0Exs7IQJsLQH6yI0DDFkrv6CLBLXxjpk7B9r3XDq5S-FFhMpzY9b5-gn3fnjoUsawKnWEW9JRiaY8kGIRjYgzd_sqicI-astgqsZQDwK-zDe_bv-rCwENN/s320/ice+puddle+art.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice puddle on the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg893-XntNxhmF2Kuhy2xyODkWTStt26sIRMMB2tnz12CIqpsFL3oNClDLldzYGzRwccktkcp_lrgNQHa5dA-52sjfdFUvsnxsJIOI4ZixpTfR8Xg8MTMxjb4tfzS8w6zGx1YmZ9-MmvEJO/s1600/sunset+compilation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg893-XntNxhmF2Kuhy2xyODkWTStt26sIRMMB2tnz12CIqpsFL3oNClDLldzYGzRwccktkcp_lrgNQHa5dA-52sjfdFUvsnxsJIOI4ZixpTfR8Xg8MTMxjb4tfzS8w6zGx1YmZ9-MmvEJO/s400/sunset+compilation.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great sunset the other night</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-1602558030418744622019-01-17T11:25:00.000-05:002019-01-31T08:22:19.854-05:00Practice....Tisbury Fire Department<div dir="ltr">
We often hear the axiom that practice makes perfect. Mink Meadows Pond tends to be the first water to freeze in Tisbury so last night our fire department came out to practice some cold water/ice break rescue drills. This profession is in a tough position. We all hope we never need them but if we do it is nice to know they are proficient at every facet of their job. For them it literally could be the difference between life and death. They cut a hole in the ice with a chain saw so a "victim" could be submerged in the ice. I was shocked that only and inch of ice was holing these grown men but the ice was cracking/groaning and letting us all know it was under strain. I remembered having a discussion with our Chief many years ago about the thickness for safe use and posting. After mentioning it to him he reiterated his opinion "There is NO Safe Ice in Tisbury, if you want safe ice go to the Arena." Sage advice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_65j-cEaLs1aRp2adhdVhJXxgX0g4a3pVcp5lQIRNf0cX2MvRh4i5zNymGi54p7YK8u7TzxBY8CCuBLsCwiyMJZVjjwdcapu6vBf82SzWW5pf3Wo4y1L9gMIMXN9t2IeHszwNCVDUGREU/s1600/IMG_8394-767036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6647494264200923154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_65j-cEaLs1aRp2adhdVhJXxgX0g4a3pVcp5lQIRNf0cX2MvRh4i5zNymGi54p7YK8u7TzxBY8CCuBLsCwiyMJZVjjwdcapu6vBf82SzWW5pf3Wo4y1L9gMIMXN9t2IeHszwNCVDUGREU/s400/IMG_8394-767036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corner of the parking lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading out with pontoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQlt5uYB9nUChi5j9O6mDmJk5p3rJMHhq9TgxvpQk5wndidYRbXdOcp9gMPmkVhWCDNFyxrfjunjlo9RJRIN_HwfSugPLmB3B25y0aHm9tAYucVhNNuoPQLoRGFJnh7N5sFV7Bg4V-Zl/s1600/IMG_8400-772147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6647494288629859138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQlt5uYB9nUChi5j9O6mDmJk5p3rJMHhq9TgxvpQk5wndidYRbXdOcp9gMPmkVhWCDNFyxrfjunjlo9RJRIN_HwfSugPLmB3B25y0aHm9tAYucVhNNuoPQLoRGFJnh7N5sFV7Bg4V-Zl/s400/IMG_8400-772147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"victim" in the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EDbrm5ceQBQDleR5B33c4rDDZyMeJv33T2EvWbjurIG-BMeSVtq6F_j6R_atipay87kvcEcialTj8KyrSRkqV7IS1qre-USAPShSwSkFYrB3kAHEAFsBI7C2vgydXlfGKkA_iQq7Wkwk/s1600/IMG_8402-776959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6647494306885503778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EDbrm5ceQBQDleR5B33c4rDDZyMeJv33T2EvWbjurIG-BMeSVtq6F_j6R_atipay87kvcEcialTj8KyrSRkqV7IS1qre-USAPShSwSkFYrB3kAHEAFsBI7C2vgydXlfGKkA_iQq7Wkwk/s400/IMG_8402-776959.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see the crack behind the triangle?</td></tr>
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I grew up skating on ponds and playing what the Canadians call shinny. We simply called it pond hockey. I clearly remember chasing a stray puck to the edge once and my foot went right through. It was scary and unpleasant to have a wet leg for the remainder of the day. Luckily that was the only issue. I can guarantee you we did not have a good plan or any equipment such as a rope to deal with a whole scale submersion. This was long before the days of cell phones. How did we ever survive? In 23 Winters I have only skated on this pond once or twice. Maybe my risk taking days are behind me? It is good to know the Tisbury Fire Department is practicing their skills and I hope that is the only time I see them on the pond.<br />
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EDIT: Bill in the pro-shop printed this for me off the Farmers Almanac.<br />
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-11022147244013203512019-01-11T12:27:00.000-05:002019-01-11T12:27:48.123-05:00Invasion <div dir="ltr">
I walked the course today to simply look things over. It occurred to me how invasive these black pines are on the property. Many years ago we had an issue where first time players would hit to 5 green while playing 4. There was no view of the green from the tee because of an old 150 shrub that became a large tree. There were a lot of trees to the right of 4 approach so it was easy to see how you would play to the flag and green in your line of site. our solutions were to grow the tall grass to the left of the 5th green and plant a mature evergreen just outside the tree line to give 4 better definition. It helped. Then a bunch of pines started colonizing around the planted evergreen so we left them. Over the years we removed the pines to the right of the 4th approach which added visibility but removing the old 150 cedar really made a big difference. Now you have a clear site line to the 4th green from the 4th tee. So what about the left side now? The lone tree planted is still there but it is being choked out by the invasion of the black pines. This seemed like a good idea early on, but now I am not so sure. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkxcvaW19YEmmvKkfkbAAVFMh96V-IX1Xq9EAVEBO4dO_LWDJ8xstyJhmDKrXusBf7cyFlsTFU3rWPXfvO1fBZnQK3WcYu6TPbiDJlyXPg_jMYUMMcz7dDUDb-mIoMCWZSmrJ5taSE5HO/s1600/IMG_8376-778352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6645265654303210434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkxcvaW19YEmmvKkfkbAAVFMh96V-IX1Xq9EAVEBO4dO_LWDJ8xstyJhmDKrXusBf7cyFlsTFU3rWPXfvO1fBZnQK3WcYu6TPbiDJlyXPg_jMYUMMcz7dDUDb-mIoMCWZSmrJ5taSE5HO/s400/IMG_8376-778352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blocks the view of 5 green</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyFe3zuZKJRlpuPVqz7e9Exfy4W7Ngj_7fsUYzz28nxgZpVUU4cakTkPXaYZYad5g4di5OY4E22ufx9us6SPU_zRuXagZK7KEP7tCmlnIodfDdhXGqf5r9fgoIV0ZV4CrVW4DgAm8xDtT/s1600/IMG_8375-776380.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6645265647588709650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyFe3zuZKJRlpuPVqz7e9Exfy4W7Ngj_7fsUYzz28nxgZpVUU4cakTkPXaYZYad5g4di5OY4E22ufx9us6SPU_zRuXagZK7KEP7tCmlnIodfDdhXGqf5r9fgoIV0ZV4CrVW4DgAm8xDtT/s400/IMG_8375-776380.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">used to be able to drive behind these</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI16j6bXhMCGeK57fD0Gfm2H_mVlnICCRk6eWElrOFjuZfx-6IJuK7M2QJMNcx4JGZtOJNprXgQdBx4Ltx2cSfIZhNUTafM5cfWiu2pc_4BEKFJDYHS0FExQeVpmQ_JiweSQizjKVEImW/s1600/IMG_8377-780380.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6645265664377605250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI16j6bXhMCGeK57fD0Gfm2H_mVlnICCRk6eWElrOFjuZfx-6IJuK7M2QJMNcx4JGZtOJNprXgQdBx4Ltx2cSfIZhNUTafM5cfWiu2pc_4BEKFJDYHS0FExQeVpmQ_JiweSQizjKVEImW/s400/IMG_8377-780380.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallest tree was planted</td></tr>
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I went on to Google Earth and emailed myself a few pictures to illustrate. Did you know you can do that? It's easy. Simply click the timeline button and then scroll backwards. You can email any image to yourself. I then found a collage maker Fotojet and imported each image into a preset collage. The dates are 1995 - 2001 - 2018. I then used a program called Skitch to add the dates and labels.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIcWV8aUy9CpqL1c_4y-WpwQeHQ3lYGbtJeVzmfwuqoiEExp793w8fV58Zmfpn9rcith-xyhtg7EVxCGjQEOG3-_F_XwA5J57fMWkOyWEcSlDn8YCV4Fi3ZkWpX0uRsLDc04WAeyZVL1E/s1600/4+tree+cluster+collage+marked+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="948" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIcWV8aUy9CpqL1c_4y-WpwQeHQ3lYGbtJeVzmfwuqoiEExp793w8fV58Zmfpn9rcith-xyhtg7EVxCGjQEOG3-_F_XwA5J57fMWkOyWEcSlDn8YCV4Fi3ZkWpX0uRsLDc04WAeyZVL1E/s400/4+tree+cluster+collage+marked+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google earth images</td></tr>
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I used the same procedure to create one for the third hole minus the Skitch and labels. It took a big storm to remove all these trees but I did not hear one single complaint about the improvements to that hole. Isn't that interesting? If I proposed removing 40 trees to make an improvement to a hole people would go mental but if a storm does it, then it is OK. These back pines are invasive and have taken over. In less than 20 years they have swallowed up a large planted evergreen. If not managed they will swallow up the entire property.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 before and after</td></tr>
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We have let some pines survive in the tree line between 6 tees and 5 fairway. We lost several trees in that area and they provide a valuable screen to the 6th tees. How long will it be before someone questions whether that was a good idea?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 tees</td></tr>
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-77517743823159472342019-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:002019-01-03T07:00:23.419-05:00A New YearAnother year has passed. Many might say good riddance since the weather was certainly not the best. I will try to look at the positive side that it could have been worse. The first picture tells a bit of the story. It was very wet and higher than the average in several months and overall. It was not the highest in total rainfall for my 23 yrs worth of record keeping. 2003 beat it by .41" That year had 9.63" in August but one t-storm was 4.6". The 9.57" in November of 2018 was just non-stop rain. It never seems to come in the perfect amount or at the right time. We fared much better than most of New England.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVj26EddnC0WCBFvPUdcaihVHMtNOO3J0CTJpwkAuS1Y9s3MXUEezzo3BC6oo-61mpO4KRoeBkScGxWetA_QiwH-ipMh7x7wOIDicwJBWEp2cQGz_wjOTtqHBGjDGzT0rlZhwp432ERNQ/s1600/rain+totals+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="854" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVj26EddnC0WCBFvPUdcaihVHMtNOO3J0CTJpwkAuS1Y9s3MXUEezzo3BC6oo-61mpO4KRoeBkScGxWetA_QiwH-ipMh7x7wOIDicwJBWEp2cQGz_wjOTtqHBGjDGzT0rlZhwp432ERNQ/s400/rain+totals+18.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the numbers</td></tr>
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The new year started with almost an inch of rain overnight with some heavy winds. One of those out like a lion parables. The day turned into an absolute gem though with temps of almost 60 degrees and little wind. The course had a few players enjoying the holiday and start of a new year. I toured the course at dusk and saw three deer cross the third hole. They were happy to have survived another hunting season I am sure.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSm6as8rPX8DfQ87lubbIFiSTXjkwI7amn3FLV_QFsUK6iu1nrjQ0xUBOi6hTe2HuUNX1fbUwuOWNnKPf1DDNhW-R1wzhfjuf0CQ8bMs03K-Ha5vcAVB8Ule2KiLrFlcTh17dEZ6aSIwA/s1600/IMG_8338-706728.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6641953498854284178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSm6as8rPX8DfQ87lubbIFiSTXjkwI7amn3FLV_QFsUK6iu1nrjQ0xUBOi6hTe2HuUNX1fbUwuOWNnKPf1DDNhW-R1wzhfjuf0CQ8bMs03K-Ha5vcAVB8Ule2KiLrFlcTh17dEZ6aSIwA/s320/IMG_8338-706728.PNG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad start</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spectacular day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgowgknOx3XL-iq_39_lQ_J2Pr6vqXsXDhgffUvHkStLAt8q1nYKH3EE5S_M946M1vfUmOMqbKwzJhDkbyu88k1RhPnjJEocufXzod0BArDqgpPkH-uWNabrCxcaEzKIq784iq34edA9FU/s1600/IMG_8342-713236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6641953530438342114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgowgknOx3XL-iq_39_lQ_J2Pr6vqXsXDhgffUvHkStLAt8q1nYKH3EE5S_M946M1vfUmOMqbKwzJhDkbyu88k1RhPnjJEocufXzod0BArDqgpPkH-uWNabrCxcaEzKIq784iq34edA9FU/s640/IMG_8342-713236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Crossing</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-21867859818937725192018-12-18T11:49:00.000-05:002018-12-18T15:04:17.396-05:00More old questions answered by new discoveries.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.3333px;">In the last post I talked about the as-built map of the original irrigation system and what a treasure map it seems to be. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pure gold. Maybe it is more of a Rosetta Stone pointing us in the right </span>direction<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to look for more discoveries. I have had so many questions over 23 years about that old system, the odd layout, the story of the 7th hole. Below are a couple of pictures of what we believe to be the 18 hole routing from Wayne Stiles. His Last. It hangs in the clubhouse. Each hole has two numbers, one is circled. The key reads "circle original 9 built 1936, plain number is what it will become after second 9 is built in 1937", which obviously never happened. Hole #16 is a 400 yd par 4 dogleg left. Exactly what and where I assumed the original 7th hole was. Hole #7 a 185 par 3 using the same green complex. Both are the location discussed in the last post shown on the map labeled "Water Mains & Tree lines". So you can see why I always thought the green was moved from 8 to its current location. The physical evidence of the ground features sure make it seem that it was there. The question now is for how long? On this routing plan there is a yellow line showing that par 3 fwy. The tee location is about where the current 7 green is located. Similar to the location of the "15th" on this map only opposite direction. The remnants on the ground clearly show a green complex but the new as-built proves that the location was abandoned by December 12, 1938. I always assumed 7 green was much newer say the 1950's. Several things disprove this theory: the as-built map and the aerial photographs posted on Twitter that I was tagged in. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the corner of 6,7 8 on same map.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy27TADdU0sR7UpWHy4jrSPZ58j35jm7tfZbMBJ0vkCHKbTmhmZrgTKYLFmR272PYTg86RY8zLCddWv6gZmmq_Y5gaZknu6TVnK1u0NosMeua_l4kmYxTmjjqd-7oCX4IPxx98X8wlP8xV/s1600/1939+aerial+6-7+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="936" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy27TADdU0sR7UpWHy4jrSPZ58j35jm7tfZbMBJ0vkCHKbTmhmZrgTKYLFmR272PYTg86RY8zLCddWv6gZmmq_Y5gaZknu6TVnK1u0NosMeua_l4kmYxTmjjqd-7oCX4IPxx98X8wlP8xV/s400/1939+aerial+6-7+corner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South east corner close up of 1939 aerial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHat3J3GaihsYNZjp7yvTFRMsRIQN1XDxw6UIiU49YoXx6C_3B-mVw7xdqKwYqjQATUvb1_YjBAIr_P1gX3f1hdDBMfHF3U30iwNltd3Eo11VOZKZkMt8D894ecDC3BUkzUsF-uwfof3e/s400/original+7+green.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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The other major discovery was the term "fire valve" used all over this as-built. The engineer who is designing the new irrigation system planted a seed saying maybe original owner (Bigelow) was planning a development. I replied that has never been mentioned in our history. Houses came in the 60's as a way to save the course from development. I remembered I had some old maps still in my office so I rolled one out that was never labeled. It is vintage blue paper and shows a similar 18 hole routing to the one hanging in the clubhouse (the white lines) and clearly shows house lots. Then someone, presumably Stiles, used yellow chalk? to draw yet another alternate routing with house lots. The bell went off. Proof as to why the damn main line was put in so deep (6 feet in most places and 3 where it is in the water table). It always felt like a municipal water system but I never heard anything about houses under the Bigelow regime. I had seen this map a few times but it never clicked what it was until I had the irrigation as-built and followed this train of thought. The map is not named or signed but is clearly vintage. Is it simply Proof positive that Robert Bigelow was at least thinking about housing. Enough so that he installed the irrigation system to double as a water supply system year round.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz72ed5XWBxvR45ll1T_NohjTcs74oSw5OAf7sT0544zHpqeTQpELWUfO274y8Wnj-zJwyFSor41V9PuhqT8I01Y5J3BoBq02xQd21_POf_Fj0mPKWcVXa4uiNv1mK5x7rtJCXF0EIReE/s1600/House+lots+%2526+18+hole+routing+plans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz72ed5XWBxvR45ll1T_NohjTcs74oSw5OAf7sT0544zHpqeTQpELWUfO274y8Wnj-zJwyFSor41V9PuhqT8I01Y5J3BoBq02xQd21_POf_Fj0mPKWcVXa4uiNv1mK5x7rtJCXF0EIReE/s400/House+lots+%2526+18+hole+routing+plans.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 hole routing's with house lots</td></tr>
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It sheds some light on the odd rectangular routing that we have and the depth of main line irrigation. It there any way to prove this is Stiles work? Is this just doodles of a landscape architect turned golf course architect? We may never know but it has been fun learning more about our history which all started by the chance gift of the original irrigation as-built.</div>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-57084486407776271582018-12-12T17:15:00.000-05:002018-12-14T07:40:29.417-05:00Happy Birthday- Discovery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This map was delivered to us last week from Antone "Tony" Lima, the grandson and namesake of the Superintendent in the 60's-80's. It is an as-built of the original irrigation system. The first I have ever seen. There is a bit of the "where have you been all my life" feeling. Since we are designing a potential new system it seems a weird twist of fate to finally get my hands on this one. 80 years ago today is the date of this map. Unfortunately it is in really tough shape. We will try to have a copy made but I do not have high hopes. I have taken some pictures of it and will do more in the near future. One major discovery is the location of the 7th hole. You see, all the other maps I have seen show the 7th as a dog leg left par 4 with the green in the location of the forward tee on 8.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKIJzNmxRt7mrb9B1v04iGOYuCmHC5yi0O_n_swTfx3AsLNQBut_WsP7a0rgyEB8Fhsy3qlPjj8uBUnap6LLmawHlWc0E7Nq3CNHh4ztwLEPw7tn5f3R0MZdYcSXdXjlBex0YdvOR0y9r/s1600/IMG_8038-765546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6634217659230018434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKIJzNmxRt7mrb9B1v04iGOYuCmHC5yi0O_n_swTfx3AsLNQBut_WsP7a0rgyEB8Fhsy3qlPjj8uBUnap6LLmawHlWc0E7Nq3CNHh4ztwLEPw7tn5f3R0MZdYcSXdXjlBex0YdvOR0y9r/s400/IMG_8038-765546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Water Supply System Dec 12 1938"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 in it's current location</td></tr>
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1938 July "Water Mains & Tree Lines"</td></tr>
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I have showed tons of people the remnants of what sure look to be a green complex with bunkers. Even the architects I have shown agree it sure seems like it. So was it roughed out only? Seeded and then moved? No one has ever been able to tell me they remember the green anywhere other than where it is now and this new map sure as heck proves it was, as of Dec 1938 at least. But what about the features on the ground on 8? The mystery of the 7th continues.<br />
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Below are a couple of pictures of the pond off the parking lot. One is looking East at sunset and it looks more like a sunrise with the water on fire. the other is today with a skim of ice holding the dusting of snow we received. It did not settle on the grass and we had a golfer enjoy the day. Winter on Martha's Vineyard<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgMajKS-svK1yFUfy9wmg4RsoYRX-7b6rdpEcneCAftkJTIDYKwwfkiQ_lYEs409jiLTUb17G5hV8xmJcQG0CX-9gtp1La7Gi8La-u-TThP0fY-WLGo_631I_e3ZOGEC40tuJAbsDGhti/s1600/IMG_8028-761926.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6634217647394139730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgMajKS-svK1yFUfy9wmg4RsoYRX-7b6rdpEcneCAftkJTIDYKwwfkiQ_lYEs409jiLTUb17G5hV8xmJcQG0CX-9gtp1La7Gi8La-u-TThP0fY-WLGo_631I_e3ZOGEC40tuJAbsDGhti/s400/IMG_8028-761926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fire and water</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTw8lYMiqQWP5s26gXBs03WdhU4hDR34iKDdogykdZzG5eDtQQXxqCAisqgPVBNVVi52NNQ4Ry7mTntam8znqpfPc6q-EY-pLqnblfvmia5xNljN8Pptac32CwB_Irjy8cAQAY3K-AIFn/s1600/IMG_8054-771900.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6634217683493805426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTw8lYMiqQWP5s26gXBs03WdhU4hDR34iKDdogykdZzG5eDtQQXxqCAisqgPVBNVVi52NNQ4Ry7mTntam8znqpfPc6q-EY-pLqnblfvmia5xNljN8Pptac32CwB_Irjy8cAQAY3K-AIFn/s400/IMG_8054-771900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice and snow</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-58239685792553082732018-11-30T11:58:00.000-05:002018-11-30T11:58:08.312-05:00New look and repurposed fence<div dir="ltr">
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There have been a few new looks on the property. After some discussion about the proper way to take relief from the fence on 4 we decided to remove it. The original plan was to have the bunker be a waste area and the right side be a playable naturalized area. Well the bunker was constructed more as a traditional bunker and never had the "waste" feel in spite of all our attempts to firm up the sand. "Playable" naturalized area is a misnomer, a unicorn, the holy grail of tall grass. Instead they become ball magnets that slow down play. If we allow carts to the right of the bunker it will become worn to dirt in no time so that will be an issue as to how we keep them from doing that. A fence may go back up over to the right. For now the plan is to allow that area to continue to be tall grass but it may get irrigated and maintained as rough in the future. It looks interesting without the fence. After much deliberation I thought of an area to use some of the removed fence and installed it on the edge of the road and the pollinator habitat area to the right of #2. I will remove the logs used to keep cars off the course.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHNUR1b-x07qT83DZfPczzJBV97r1DLh4LghpKBDMYoWjcfYy3DmNVaet2_rkx1KsKn3trC2Z-CYJ_v2UfPEPNefDHdiwk2pq4mzKDJmEC3Z7YgMRK5sd2eug44w-AgMPEKYNrEk1-nU/s1600/IMG_8006-734364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6629688054203698354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHNUR1b-x07qT83DZfPczzJBV97r1DLh4LghpKBDMYoWjcfYy3DmNVaet2_rkx1KsKn3trC2Z-CYJ_v2UfPEPNefDHdiwk2pq4mzKDJmEC3Z7YgMRK5sd2eug44w-AgMPEKYNrEk1-nU/s400/IMG_8006-734364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">re-purposed fence from 4 on the outside corner of 2</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3cb6ZeRCGd66_lhSmb415mPBcXYDKyjsil1Klp_JUf7VtFFdGRPw7GfE-XObyXK2nZli1O1qVn0ETI7oBANaTNT2jo7LYh2-25PS-Z9CT3iBr7pIN2sCwSB1aQ0Cjj3Bx8NkrO7-3Rs1/s1600/IMG_8010-737370.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6629688059152925826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3cb6ZeRCGd66_lhSmb415mPBcXYDKyjsil1Klp_JUf7VtFFdGRPw7GfE-XObyXK2nZli1O1qVn0ETI7oBANaTNT2jo7LYh2-25PS-Z9CT3iBr7pIN2sCwSB1aQ0Cjj3Bx8NkrO7-3Rs1/s400/IMG_8010-737370.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New look 4th hole</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqztc4akXZLM8QL9gasTyhIL97U9Nd97YGhGANtWJ8S1E6PUXriBOWSwu8Rjjdj6EOGCSi2wtB4OA5L982gmVT59x01X3xZdgjzAIxUwH2QCbiITW7JCqiNsOXuor7BA-gQf_R9lzTkiCH/s1600/IMG_8012-739528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6629688071405025986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqztc4akXZLM8QL9gasTyhIL97U9Nd97YGhGANtWJ8S1E6PUXriBOWSwu8Rjjdj6EOGCSi2wtB4OA5L982gmVT59x01X3xZdgjzAIxUwH2QCbiITW7JCqiNsOXuor7BA-gQf_R9lzTkiCH/s400/IMG_8012-739528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new look 4th hole</td></tr>
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Another new look is on the final mowing of the fairways. I decided to try some contour mowing just for kicks. This is simply starting on one edge of the fairway and following that same contour throughout the rest of the fairway. It makes for some interesting patterns on a few holes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVUKKVEuFZ5PiEgQSFl1n7dDrufw3uBR4tQWMPOkto-xPqVz2Mnz2EldVhCczkgTPfgvrWx2Xqqv2b_cDRaMZ8RdheAOMtBwP-Q0GTZxbRzKeVQupDBPtImm46f2Tvn4KJcRdRMBHB4pJ/s1600/IMG_8016-741556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6629688077231413074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVUKKVEuFZ5PiEgQSFl1n7dDrufw3uBR4tQWMPOkto-xPqVz2Mnz2EldVhCczkgTPfgvrWx2Xqqv2b_cDRaMZ8RdheAOMtBwP-Q0GTZxbRzKeVQupDBPtImm46f2Tvn4KJcRdRMBHB4pJ/s400/IMG_8016-741556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contour mowing </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZJzE_G03KsZeOWHH5wlv7XQSxQHbu4BpnbUAPv_8xzF-ApPAs8mZIJBIvgqMUNxybMq2GnaK0-quUmUAswRJxwflRppGBIYn_xXYwaiUXLbISYplHdK6uKvn7ND0Wwv6gUkqQiafb1w7/s1600/IMG_8017-743700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6629688085912101298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZJzE_G03KsZeOWHH5wlv7XQSxQHbu4BpnbUAPv_8xzF-ApPAs8mZIJBIvgqMUNxybMq2GnaK0-quUmUAswRJxwflRppGBIYn_xXYwaiUXLbISYplHdK6uKvn7ND0Wwv6gUkqQiafb1w7/s400/IMG_8017-743700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunsets and Swans</td></tr>
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-40016371927748879162018-11-04T12:01:00.000-05:002018-11-04T12:01:04.829-05:00Fall season with Tornadoes <div dir="ltr">
Well another month has gone by since the last post. The weather continues to be a dominate force in our lives. We have not had a typical Martha's Vineyard Fall. It was unseasonably warm after a cold and rainy spell then really cold. It seems to rain every weekend and now it is November already. We managed to get the greens aerated and topdressed for the first time all season but even that took two days. Aerating was disrupted by a Tornado warning and a blast of tropical rain. The greens have healed nicely and we mowed them for the first time today.<br />
The collage below shows some collar/fairway expansions. The approach on two had narrowed down to a skinny little neck and screamed to be widened. Three needed it as well since we did all that construction this Spring so it received a bit of re-sculpting. Then I was simply on a roll and did some on 4 and 5 for good measure. They were aerated, seeded, topdressed and should take shape before the growing season wraps up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4hyphenhyphenwDdkS3pBcXu3_QgVTIJSkxnmMBlhMqGRMaNzzgFcBhrvSe3FJfdWR1Ffm00zKfXEeMPtDP9WJEKoAMoTRj6xoCVmGQ8HBoR8YlyVux7NVktdDgY51CZZUplyp8ego6UiRO9yZWLCo/s1600/IMG_7923-708009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6619224538265909842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4hyphenhyphenwDdkS3pBcXu3_QgVTIJSkxnmMBlhMqGRMaNzzgFcBhrvSe3FJfdWR1Ffm00zKfXEeMPtDP9WJEKoAMoTRj6xoCVmGQ8HBoR8YlyVux7NVktdDgY51CZZUplyp8ego6UiRO9yZWLCo/s400/IMG_7923-708009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">approach/fairway re-shaping</td></tr>
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The morning was shaping up to be a decent one with a few storms predicted. I figured we would not be able to apply sand due to the chance for rain. Then a tornado warning and a blast of rain really put a scare into the day. Luckily it went by with nothing more than rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ryAvSMdz_Q2mUxxxW6dTNVGQ1Gt3MS3st5XUGGmt4N3K0qmmpcJJeM0PL2SkaL2lQ7vUtBvM0KvQMKRBg74KnX2wrMnP4k0zf2gKLqqfPwLf5Yv4xdV4Me4iIWF3ZX_st7_WswFhxYaT/s1600/IMG_7924-711448.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6619224550381270738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ryAvSMdz_Q2mUxxxW6dTNVGQ1Gt3MS3st5XUGGmt4N3K0qmmpcJJeM0PL2SkaL2lQ7vUtBvM0KvQMKRBg74KnX2wrMnP4k0zf2gKLqqfPwLf5Yv4xdV4Me4iIWF3ZX_st7_WswFhxYaT/s400/IMG_7924-711448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close call</td></tr>
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Mid week the weather cooperated and tossed in a couple of perfect Fall days. I ventured off to the Cape for a match play tourney finals and returned to this glorious sunset.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzw6C-aDgSLTTiS3HFDrszFFdCt2_Nxb8MTTolFnwLTJPm-q2VBak5kXW4LhQv_757VEPISzlFsJ-AWOpG1tqdyQURAGW-Os84hbBaBI18Mxqe48cfgAzfs-DgfLTUQZQfVp5rkBXrp3x/s1600/IMG_7926-714385.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6619224563986103298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzw6C-aDgSLTTiS3HFDrszFFdCt2_Nxb8MTTolFnwLTJPm-q2VBak5kXW4LhQv_757VEPISzlFsJ-AWOpG1tqdyQURAGW-Os84hbBaBI18Mxqe48cfgAzfs-DgfLTUQZQfVp5rkBXrp3x/s400/IMG_7926-714385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">never gets old</td></tr>
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The end of the week brought more rain and some heavy winds but today is another beautiful Fall day. It seems the weather roller coaster of 2018 continues. You have to pick your days and enjoy it while we can. Winter is just around the corner and most forecasts have been for a cold one.<br />
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-3437502529697139152018-09-26T17:03:00.001-04:002018-09-26T17:03:34.260-04:00Passage of time<div>
Every month it seems the time just flies by since the last blog post. The last was an update on aerification season. We still have not done the greens but managed tees, some multiple times because we had a disease outbreak, collars and some approaches. The rain seems to have returned and with that some improvement in turf quality. We still have some dormant turf from the dry summer but with each storm the grass wakes back up. The weather roller coaster continues however. Is it a shorts day or long johns? Talk about drastic swings.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhJ7mprOey4O0wrnasvVhmv0eiwMWIAwU-n1kKeQfQ1grtD9MBpTUA8UfRvlgGVyQnMhp1ioHfpLJ8vxyByGZIzJHYaj-uIYyyxSfxyoWGAF3ObwNXLHBh3L7xkFVNKX9DOx3sGei0BDl/s1600/IMG_7248-783153.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6605638160596060866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhJ7mprOey4O0wrnasvVhmv0eiwMWIAwU-n1kKeQfQ1grtD9MBpTUA8UfRvlgGVyQnMhp1ioHfpLJ8vxyByGZIzJHYaj-uIYyyxSfxyoWGAF3ObwNXLHBh3L7xkFVNKX9DOx3sGei0BDl/s400/IMG_7248-783153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice Bunker</td></tr>
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Speaking of aerating. It is near impossible to get a machine on the face of a bunker so it is hard to repair a weak face. Usually they will be re-sodded. I tried to seed the face of the practice bunker earlier this year and the seeds germinated but were quickly buried in new sand blasted up from the constant use. We tried again only this time used an old greens cover to protect it and close the bunker. It worked so well we decided to try it again on the course. Please be aware these areas are ground under repair and should be kept off of to ensure the best chance for this area to recover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAqJByISumMQxzkQMsT5IikJdQAAPsZzAgrWQG8MkYZEITtcVZc5EemLf9ETxniA1JPsEgycT70OnzoKuXmxHprVlIBF6eaGRhY_djC2U2036NblkceaUmy7v3Oj9_PZ0fhVPXFinhY2A/s1600/IMG_7253-785867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6605638169679158338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAqJByISumMQxzkQMsT5IikJdQAAPsZzAgrWQG8MkYZEITtcVZc5EemLf9ETxniA1JPsEgycT70OnzoKuXmxHprVlIBF6eaGRhY_djC2U2036NblkceaUmy7v3Oj9_PZ0fhVPXFinhY2A/s400/IMG_7253-785867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Soldiers on a collar</td></tr>
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Tee and collar aerification and over seeding worked very well and we saw lots of seed germination. this will help fill in weaker areas and also get newer grass varieties introduced into our turf. Newer varieties will have better disease resistance due to breeding for current issues.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc7oBQ38NQ-nHm4xC3nAzD3e8rgUTGNYIXyssI6OqTIsHaZmpTDOKxN6p3l3ctbs_WQcA_6JilgFUnhrc3zqF1nSQp6_oczr8qS2AbluViUYeYXcp3l7FRKvNMilANxRwH69C79r9yNEh/s1600/IMG_7256-787952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6605638182734399730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc7oBQ38NQ-nHm4xC3nAzD3e8rgUTGNYIXyssI6OqTIsHaZmpTDOKxN6p3l3ctbs_WQcA_6JilgFUnhrc3zqF1nSQp6_oczr8qS2AbluViUYeYXcp3l7FRKvNMilANxRwH69C79r9yNEh/s400/IMG_7256-787952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Boy 7 tees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YQLbij9-R829QJYA7yrNzwMaUR8IJ79Ao0eqzFySxAsTHpzct-yy7ORdwnALSb5n77JZNj_fO5EoWF75t7q0A2O98aen-rdqyTD2z8g95YjYLlUN-R1pQKRe83FmpALHCiOA1Q0ekYJ5/s1600/IMG_7273-791663.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="260" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6605638194708609122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YQLbij9-R829QJYA7yrNzwMaUR8IJ79Ao0eqzFySxAsTHpzct-yy7ORdwnALSb5n77JZNj_fO5EoWF75t7q0A2O98aen-rdqyTD2z8g95YjYLlUN-R1pQKRe83FmpALHCiOA1Q0ekYJ5/s400/IMG_7273-791663.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Girl in the parking lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog is on Fire</td></tr>
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Enjoy the Fall days and be sure to join in on the last few tournaments we have on the schedule.<br />
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-41771438443711143222018-08-30T10:18:00.001-04:002018-08-30T10:18:45.291-04:00Aerification seasonLong view or short view? <div>
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I often get asked why are you aerating, the turf was perfect? The answer is simple: how do you think it got to be perfect? Worrying about how the greens will putt for a few days is short view thinking. Every tournament you see on TV has spent many months if not years preparing the course for a weeks worth of play. Think about that for a minute. Extra aerifications, rebuilding of tees, bunkers etc all in preparation for a weeks worth of play. You might be thinking OK Matt but that's for Professionals. Right but grass is grass. It needs certain things to be healthy.<div>
The long view is that as we get into the fall and better growing weather it is important to give the turf the stuff it needs to recover from summer. We are growing cool season grasses. That means it is under a lot of stress when the weather is closer to warm season locations. A good example of the difference is crabgrass is a warm season plant and loves a summer like this one. One of the things we can do to help turf recover is poke holes in the ground to relieve compaction and give the roots a void to grow into. Turf is not unlike any other growing plant it needs a strong root system to be healthy and aerification is our best method to promoting a healthy root system. </div>
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If we did not have to aerate we certainly would not go through the arduous task just to upset golfers and get complaints. It is a necessary part to having healthy turf.</div>
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We did a small tine aeration on greens this week. Some greens came out a bit bumpy but they will smooth out soon. We will do bigger holes with a heavy topdressing in October. We will begin doing tees and collars next week assuming the weather cooperates.</div>
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So as you play the course over the next few weeks, or any course for that matter, don't get caught up in the short view of how the turf might be playing but instead think about how good that turf will be after the process. </div>
Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-75991454010406009102018-08-22T12:05:00.000-04:002018-08-22T12:17:29.596-04:00Quite a stretch<div class="mobile-photo">
That was one of the most brutal stretches of weather we have all seen here on MV. Dog days for sure. I have heard more times than I can remember "we never needed air conditioning on MV" or "we only get a few days of really hot weather". That stretch broke all time records for Providence, RI. It was unbearably humid for roughly 6 weeks straight. We may not have had peak high temps but it was really hot and just unpleasant for man, or beast and especially cool season turf. The disease pressure was through the roof and we saw active fungus many times. The picture below shows the tee which is sprayed conventionally holding up nicely. The rough at the beginning of the fairway which gets sprayed with the Bioject (natural bacteria that we brew and spray instead of synthetic fungicides) also doing well. And in between a swath of unprotected rough that looks as if it has an inch of snow on it. The white mycelium of the Dollar Spot fungus means it is active and spreading. After the mycelium goes away it leaves a bleached lesion on the leaf. if enough damage is done the grass will take on a tan hue. hopefully that will be the end of that weather and we can continue into cooler nights and the turf can begin to recover from all the damage. Maybe we can all turn off our air conditioners too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">active disease</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disease lesions</td></tr>
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Speaking of damage. Our salt water intrusion was high again this summer and it shows by how slimy the soils are. Think of a pile of ice melt spilled on the driveway or the salt in your shaker. The salt builds up and then pulls moisture out of the air keeping the surface moist and soft. This means it is easier to take a divot and in some areas the turf will simply peel up from any aggressive cart traffic. Please use caution with carts and try to avoid excessive turning and driving around until we can flush the salts from the surface. I will apply a gypsum application which will help with the flush.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tire skid</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Tire skid</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cart damage 8 fairway</td></tr>
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The fairways may be soft making it easy to take divots. I can handle a few extra divots there. What tests my patience at the end of a tough summer is divots on greens. There is simply no reason to take a divot on a green. We had three in about a weeks time. Same person? There is no way of knowing who the culprit is unless someone tells us. Obviously they suck at putting and have anger management issues or simply have no clue how to play the game. I often say the etiquette of the game is gone. These episodes only reinforce that thinking. If you play with someone who does this please tell them how bad it is and let us know who they are so we can reinforce the message.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">divot 5 green</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">divot 6 green</td></tr>
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With the change to our schedule moving the club championship to september we lose the ability to do our normal greens aerification the day after Labor Day. We will however try to do a needle tine aerification a couple of times this fall. We may even vertical mow and topdress the greens so keep an eye on the schedule for some minor disruptions to the tee sheet over the next few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty clouds</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-30487001808402538252018-07-25T14:49:00.001-04:002018-07-25T14:49:15.894-04:00Poa or Bent?<div>
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Let's start at the beginning. In 2010 the US open was at Pebble Beach. The USGA decided to use the venue to start a conversation about water. They did this by shutting it off at this iconic seaside course. The result was an off-color HD camera defying event that had everyone talking. For us it was a conversation about the types of grasses we have on our greens. The answer is a mix of the original South German Bents (Creeping Bentgrass) we were seeded to, a few others that had been sprinkled in over the years, and lots of perennial bio types of annual bluegrass (Poa Annua). <a href="http://gsrpdf.lib.msu.edu/ticpdf.py?file=/1920s/1921/210337.pdf" target="_blank">For a deep dive into Seed</a> So which is better? Well that depends who you ask. Oakmont CC loves their Poa and who could argue with the conditions we have seen there over the years? By and large creeping bent is considered a better grass for a variety of reasons: it uses less water, is more disease and heat tolerant, has better roots. With summers here getting hotter and more humid I suggested we try and favor Bent. This began the journey of our shift in how we water greens and even fertilize them, but that is more recent. We went from basically daily watering to essentially weekly. Deep and infrequent favors bentgrass and its ability to put down deep roots. This gives it the competitive edge over poa especially in the heat of the summer. Other changes in the program were to step up the chemical regulation of growth. Again, slowing the poa so the bent could out compete. My goal was a slow transition that would not effect ball roll or the overall appearance of the greens. The poster child was number 2. This green had the most poa at approximately 80%. The picture below shows vandalism in 2002. We stripped the damaged sod and replaced with sod from the nursery. The ring of bentgrass was clearly visible in a mostly poa green for many years. Today you cannot find it if you tried. The last picture, in the collage, is recent showing where I seeded the remaining poa areas and topdressed with white sand. Easily a complete swap in percentages. Most of the other greens simply converted over without anyone noticing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 green from mostly poa to mostly bent</td></tr>
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The other way we have helped the conversion is to toss a few cup cutter plugs from the nursery into the larger patches of poa. The nursery was constructed from aerifier plugs so it would match the existing greens but also seeded with bent. The dry conditions of the nursery favored bent and so there is not much poa left. These plugs would then spread to increase our bent population.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 green this winter showing some plug work</td></tr>
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The areas of poa left on two green have not been happy all year. My guess is the reduced fertility this year is really stressing it to the max. It looks awful on two and also back in the nursery where I moved some plugs back in January. I decided it was time to start seeding these areas. The pictures below show some seeded areas on 2 and 3 greens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seeding process. straight sand and sprayed area</td></tr>
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After a conversation with a friend who used to make his own dyed sand I decided to try it. I mixed up a batch and spread it on some plywood to dry. Even dried the surface still had a crust making it look wet. It was a paste when I spread it out. Reminded me of the paste glue we used in kindergarten only green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGeYpTQUX7AkauXrU5NW95N2T1nf4WIfydIbuDF7a1xP81TAE5QnipoCN8z4DnQpj3ABo3BSvMU04dln301jH7awdoXLCQX2U9IkGH1lxAsZ09IqACdYUQKBsCFy3oKe_LWyHL108x09D/s1600/IMG_7052-725623.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6581888460851348050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGeYpTQUX7AkauXrU5NW95N2T1nf4WIfydIbuDF7a1xP81TAE5QnipoCN8z4DnQpj3ABo3BSvMU04dln301jH7awdoXLCQX2U9IkGH1lxAsZ09IqACdYUQKBsCFy3oKe_LWyHL108x09D/s400/IMG_7052-725623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dying sand</td></tr>
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It has become standard fair to cut cups and have the entire plug stay together. In the past during the hot summer months the roots would shrink and the plugs would break apart into pancakes. I was reminded of this recently when I swapped out a few more plugs from the nursery to number 2. The difference in rooting depth of the two grasses is real and evident in the pictures below. Notice the roots hanging below the bent plug which is at least twice the depth of the poa plug.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">regular greens plug vs straight poa plug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPaXJj9KhyphenhyphenC7WfXmJ5CnMofIUEV25QBy1SFMpdPbXRlD1vWuCRtR0dK1gHNZomyy1A25w4qlGF-Gy2MDie9yGi5x0DluxG4ADQL1c3NC7a8bbjuSIuOR2t81B_TP4a9eJqtQYLqktnz_1/s1600/plugs+in+nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPaXJj9KhyphenhyphenC7WfXmJ5CnMofIUEV25QBy1SFMpdPbXRlD1vWuCRtR0dK1gHNZomyy1A25w4qlGF-Gy2MDie9yGi5x0DluxG4ADQL1c3NC7a8bbjuSIuOR2t81B_TP4a9eJqtQYLqktnz_1/s400/plugs+in+nursery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 green poa plugs looking weak in nursery</td></tr>
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There have been side effects to this new program. The poa has been a bit off color for years. Thank-you for not getting fixated on color. If I could change the culture in America that grass always has to have the deep green you see in fertilizer commercials I would. The surrounds took a beating for years. It needs more water than we had been giving it and went dormant for many years. We have figured out a solution, albeit not a great long term one, and we have improved them in the last couple of years. Lastly, another big change is with more bent grass walking has become noticeable. Or maybe better put shuffling has become an issue. Anyone dragging their feet really stands up the bent grass leaving the green a mine field to put on. That is an entire blog post itself i will save for the future.Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-61551667943761925012018-07-16T10:11:00.000-04:002018-07-16T10:11:03.031-04:00First Friendless Week<div>
No matter how well you prepare or how obvious it may be that the time is getting near, it is never easy to say good bye. Lambert was my second dog while here at Mink and he had big paws to fill since Thumper made quite an impression. Bert held his own and proved to be quite a character himself. Some of you may remember Thumper but may not be aware of the odd coincidence that he and Bert shared the same Birthday. When I filled out the adoption papers, Bert was a rescue who came into our lives at 7 months old, I noticed something odd about the date. I thought it was a niece/nephew or a cousins birthday that I should know. It was not until Cheryl came home and saw the date and could not even finish the sentence that it hit me. How strange. We always felt he had a bit of Thumper's ghost in him. Leave it to my wife to remember that we lost Thumps in July as well. Too much coincidence for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7VFdRhdxGJmIvTsepvhSOMjhw_FaQmCtSTblXqVJUVaCyJ27rKs-sY2TLhmfXOOGlgFUm7Nc0Nzm4WkWCGjzLzSEWuL9Oehx5ZNRrStdS44NniMkshyphenhyphen1YEd_3dwz4IYBCjz8owPtWUkG/s1600/bert+and+thumps+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7VFdRhdxGJmIvTsepvhSOMjhw_FaQmCtSTblXqVJUVaCyJ27rKs-sY2TLhmfXOOGlgFUm7Nc0Nzm4WkWCGjzLzSEWuL9Oehx5ZNRrStdS44NniMkshyphenhyphen1YEd_3dwz4IYBCjz8owPtWUkG/s400/bert+and+thumps+sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambert 9/26/07 - 7/6/18 Thumper 9/26/95 - 7/16/06</td></tr>
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Both just shy of their 11th birthdays. Two great dogs who could not have been better ambassadors for me and Mink Meadows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert as a puppy</td></tr>
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Bert had a tough life living in a 10 x 10 fence kennel for his first 6 months. Then spent a month in the shelter. He developed what is called kennel syndrome. He had to learn to entertain himself so he started with his water dish. He used to tip it over and play with it. His affinity for plastic coffee cans was a site to see. I never had to clip his nails since he wore them down on the gravel paths kicking things around.<br />
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Bert loved to play golf. He almost sunk a few putts rolling whatever he had with him at the cup as we putted out. He would find a rock early and play with that for 9 holes. Often dropping it in the cart by your feet so you would throw it for him. As he got older he enjoyed riding in the cart more. He would take up the entire seat when it was vacated. Annoying for sure but many members would jump at the chance for one more annoying round. I know I would.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Cecelio and Bert</td></tr>
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He loved it when we would repair irrigation breaks. He would stare at every shovel full as it came out of the ground looking for a rock to play with. Often he would throw it back in the hole at us so we would have to throw it for him. The repairs were made more enjoyable being entertained by him.<br />
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Some of you knew Bert had a girlfriend. The owners started walking their pup by the gate of the shop twice a day. Soon they asked if they could take Bert with them. The dogs bonded and Cheryl and I gained new human friends. They were gone most winters which left Bert to hold a vigil on the deck waiting for his girl Ella to return and come walking by.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A regular event</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert and Ella</td></tr>
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Bert loved his stoop. He would sit there for hours refusing to come to work with me. Content to wait for Ella or simply to keep an eye on things from above. He would run down the stairs however, when one of his favorite members showed up often with a treat for him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favorite spot</td></tr>
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He truly was happiest at the beach. That was Thumper's Ghost for sure. Two peas in a pod. The difference being Bert had abandonment issues and only left me to walk to Ella's and bound through the doggy door. Of the 4 dogs at the house Bert is still the only one to embrace the doggy door. This video was in the last few weeks. He did not have the ability to play for long with his stick but he sure enjoyed trying.<br />
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We visited my sister once in VT and he would attack all of her dog Scout's toys. His favorite was actually a stuffed animal and not a dog toy. She and her husband were so taken by his aggressive affection for Santa Bear they gave him to Bert. He remained a favorite snuggle and shake toy. We buried him with Santa Bear and his favorite blue ball. He is out at the Linden Tree with Thumper.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert and Santa Bear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I dragged Bert out to hose the dew on his last day and we were greeted on 1 with a small buck</td></tr>
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He used to love to chase the hose since I took him out that first day we brought him home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP Lambert</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-46485336834438042242018-07-06T10:19:00.000-04:002018-07-06T10:19:04.617-04:00The great charcoal scareI made a change in the way I applied our crabgrass preventative this year. I often make subtle changes to the programs to see if we can improve costs, efficiency, or simply the course in general. It seemed to be a home run as it was very efficient, easy to do and allowed me to get into areas that I was unable to using the traditional method. The nuts and bolts are instead of using the booms on the sprayer I used the boom less nozzles on the back. This allowed me to get in close to the trees along the range and one, a spot I was unable to using the booms. About two weeks ago I started noticing these speckles on a few collars and greens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDm-i1daJavIRsIuwe9PBvXZ2tkpO6yKtjzLyIbFm87fSJXgm_gsXINu3K9CG3ju6Lz2Umdw73pKYCpEtF4Oiz4icas6X6_438JtpqhAuAU8DOAR9sM8bT0DGZjU2PetJ4wfCqWsxOai/s1600/blog+spots+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDm-i1daJavIRsIuwe9PBvXZ2tkpO6yKtjzLyIbFm87fSJXgm_gsXINu3K9CG3ju6Lz2Umdw73pKYCpEtF4Oiz4icas6X6_438JtpqhAuAU8DOAR9sM8bT0DGZjU2PetJ4wfCqWsxOai/s400/blog+spots+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mLUosQBsTZJWkPikcP1JyLJ0WpdCKWkZsVFdFuprXZQN18JWTpd_ZK-ddQngJ6hZ-D_5IwGdcGTw9IFyHLFbMCAOjA4ObpU7PAobvR08cY9mTx4Sc1eKNKFX7YfL5EM3-WD4qor8QkY7/s1600/blog+spots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mLUosQBsTZJWkPikcP1JyLJ0WpdCKWkZsVFdFuprXZQN18JWTpd_ZK-ddQngJ6hZ-D_5IwGdcGTw9IFyHLFbMCAOjA4ObpU7PAobvR08cY9mTx4Sc1eKNKFX7YfL5EM3-WD4qor8QkY7/s400/blog+spots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 green?</td></tr>
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These were in odd places and hard to see during the day in full day light. They were not any disease I recognized and had a distinct pattern to them. I worked with one of my support staff and confirmed my suspicion that these were an over spray from the crabgrass application and essentially a chemical burn. The solution was to apply activated charcoal. These speckles are not to be confused with Dollar Spot which is a fungus that causes lesions in the turf like the picture below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugo7B5HdDQo90LR-Fe891rH_Dtm6N7ihxX4IdSfs8CRUXCrXJrk2SMmpQgc1pZlic1_97bMI1ARZqoeGfeoSEE6U0P33yTI9mwcUYUzI5Dqn6PzuinWicx8jKa2hUS72lfSRi4DV6Udg3/s1600/blog+spots+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugo7B5HdDQo90LR-Fe891rH_Dtm6N7ihxX4IdSfs8CRUXCrXJrk2SMmpQgc1pZlic1_97bMI1ARZqoeGfeoSEE6U0P33yTI9mwcUYUzI5Dqn6PzuinWicx8jKa2hUS72lfSRi4DV6Udg3/s400/blog+spots+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar spot lesions</td></tr>
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The application of the charcoal caused quite a stir since it was obvious something had been applied or spilled. I figured it might make a good post to explain why we turned some sections of the course black. After watering in with fresh water the color has subsided some and maybe the predicted rain will finish the job. If it works it should break down that heavy rate of crabgrass preventative and the turf will recover on its own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCNcU18RQ4BuyQSzQa1FiUztgltTZgynZQ8ac7Psie346GEoLnYJUdbrc8XfHjhtA0y7pXvKnY0MqRjk2yv8Wvdj5I3zzldmtgVKJm9odl5BhgMDF7_l9nQA00PzaonSZ0QHb8P03XaVl/s1600/blog+spots+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCNcU18RQ4BuyQSzQa1FiUztgltTZgynZQ8ac7Psie346GEoLnYJUdbrc8XfHjhtA0y7pXvKnY0MqRjk2yv8Wvdj5I3zzldmtgVKJm9odl5BhgMDF7_l9nQA00PzaonSZ0QHb8P03XaVl/s400/blog+spots+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 green</td></tr>
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-50929250463864140022018-06-28T14:42:00.000-04:002018-06-28T14:42:23.461-04:00Summer begins<div>
Where has the time gone? Maybe it is me but time is going by rapidly. Seems like yesterday we were lamenting the lack of Spring and now July 4th is upon us. We had a dry stretch for a bit but now have had some timely rains. Hopefully they will ease the scars from the dry spell and set us up for the big heat wave being predicted next week. The course continues to play great and we are getting more members and public returning.<br />
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I have chatted here in these pages about ospreys this is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=909592532574842446#editor/target=post;postID=9139171843883782154;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=34;src=postname" target="_blank">another post with links inside</a> and another <span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;">older post</span><span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span><br />
These posts cover our history in the resurgence of this majestic bird and also my following of Belle. A bird who made several trips back and forth to overwintering sites in South America. I was able to catch a glimpse of her on the Cape just before her transmitter battery died. I joined the email list for Osprey Trax and this week learned about a book covering the story of Belle. See it here: <a href="http://www.ospreytrax.com/BellesJourney.html" target="_blank">http://www.ospreytrax.com/BellesJourney.html</a><br />
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We have had some really nice sunrises over the last couple of weeks. If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen them. I also shared them with the pro shop so they could post them on our social media feeds, so maybe you saw them there?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksPSviYt008bSGZ8ebRlE86Re3ONuz7-ZFohZ6Gs2_7azerkcytVsvcAqTIenmKAqs6oIyWXedx05nYXLgBnzohrt6WOGPvyFPILW8G8_s19UL6WeNvC1Q8jXNWYHA562mqX5c5xc1dup/s1600/IMG_6878-733481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6572196903717235042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksPSviYt008bSGZ8ebRlE86Re3ONuz7-ZFohZ6Gs2_7azerkcytVsvcAqTIenmKAqs6oIyWXedx05nYXLgBnzohrt6WOGPvyFPILW8G8_s19UL6WeNvC1Q8jXNWYHA562mqX5c5xc1dup/s400/IMG_6878-733481.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mink Meadows Pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsL6QF_O3ws2MB4nGPKbvgP6Lyb9a7NaY75d3XgkXIXMLqVln7crhtBGwtkR2CwhF3KD0SaigOGZzc45bxkO4MPjI0O8RIZjMR39-pfxRGjue_ikpXtDBkuq-p8tFKyvmM1s9oTFuQMXu/s1600/IMG_6893-735954.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6572196911648330962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsL6QF_O3ws2MB4nGPKbvgP6Lyb9a7NaY75d3XgkXIXMLqVln7crhtBGwtkR2CwhF3KD0SaigOGZzc45bxkO4MPjI0O8RIZjMR39-pfxRGjue_ikpXtDBkuq-p8tFKyvmM1s9oTFuQMXu/s400/IMG_6893-735954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 green</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsuU1IZEY2rZEBBRcCMxWFFmbczpL1xDzA9UdH_iAKOipJPTOtCa9B4fDmo_wBXoEMypTAjXovIdCNWu2YPcrEb9ByMXT0j6PZSl6xRSDBDIHK3GaOKjViI3zJUJY9-BVwWQMH_9ykQUC/s1600/IMG_6924-737593.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6572196917190219042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsuU1IZEY2rZEBBRcCMxWFFmbczpL1xDzA9UdH_iAKOipJPTOtCa9B4fDmo_wBXoEMypTAjXovIdCNWu2YPcrEb9ByMXT0j6PZSl6xRSDBDIHK3GaOKjViI3zJUJY9-BVwWQMH_9ykQUC/s400/IMG_6924-737593.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st hole</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-23883920876907206042018-05-25T14:25:00.000-04:002018-05-25T14:39:23.829-04:00Getting there and Weather Underground<div>
Welcome to Summer. The holiday weekend is upon us and the weather has turned a bit warmer. The course appears to be getting into shape and starting to look as good as it has played. The construction is almost behind us with the last of the woods on 3 being seeded. Speaking about 3 the sod has been lowered so at least you can find your ball and pull it out to the approach or nearest point of relief. That is easier to say than do in some parts of the hole with the entire right side having been seeded. Do the best you can. If it looks like a seeded area move over. Murph found a baby foul running around the 8th hole. A long way from any water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8-3KhUkfhZuflNYb_smjrzEElGQvonT14jk6F3G_ggZQBkhjvjwIUv112OAVMxFJBbCYRyJMtjkBLOutWnXyA7kO4nfX9GJQsaGH-_-B5i-PKTL_S1Myk56OZLKlkNO-LjLRvhOO2zHJ/s1600/IMG_6766-739277.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6559577028663717234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8-3KhUkfhZuflNYb_smjrzEElGQvonT14jk6F3G_ggZQBkhjvjwIUv112OAVMxFJBbCYRyJMtjkBLOutWnXyA7kO4nfX9GJQsaGH-_-B5i-PKTL_S1Myk56OZLKlkNO-LjLRvhOO2zHJ/s400/IMG_6766-739277.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quack</td></tr>
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I swapped our moisture meter with a colleague who had one that measured salinity which ours did not. This was not a feature he needed and we sure do so it was a win-win for both of us. I tested it out this week on a fertilizer spill on the first hole. When testing greens the salinity was in the .6 range. This spill area was 1.2 all the way up to 8.55. As you can see synthetic fertilizers can have a high salt index and if concentrated will kill grass. It was a good lesson on how to use the new meter.<br />
I flushed that area today with some gypsum and will replant when the meter shows acceptable levels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbYTnQJ3PBgMt2iFCQV4GsHcsLgO6c_b6GgQyfExCn7H9_I5oZ4fhZPyTAqJaQn4XG4wJ2AhVJX4EupNKmhCksqnCxjx_C7Ti7IcJScTWWjEP4ySILLlX4JpppEEx86ZXH1g0XIVQLKu7/s1600/IMG_6777-742362.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6559577034775720482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbYTnQJ3PBgMt2iFCQV4GsHcsLgO6c_b6GgQyfExCn7H9_I5oZ4fhZPyTAqJaQn4XG4wJ2AhVJX4EupNKmhCksqnCxjx_C7Ti7IcJScTWWjEP4ySILLlX4JpppEEx86ZXH1g0XIVQLKu7/s400/IMG_6777-742362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got Salt?</td></tr>
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The pictures below cannot do justice to the colors in the high rough these days. The red top mixed in with the purple fescue seed heads is stunning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovzrvHfN3VZhXunn9lZRSaum1WYP41qLjhzL8APusddauwUcjv0k0k4_6VpVgRanatSe7wA6Wlr0f8-ie7Fn-TFOVQv7_HKzBKNl0xfeWMvFd9BeIGeMns53ECxoKmHY_sCu0gpui1eOb/s1600/IMG_6778-744545.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6559577046473417298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovzrvHfN3VZhXunn9lZRSaum1WYP41qLjhzL8APusddauwUcjv0k0k4_6VpVgRanatSe7wA6Wlr0f8-ie7Fn-TFOVQv7_HKzBKNl0xfeWMvFd9BeIGeMns53ECxoKmHY_sCu0gpui1eOb/s400/IMG_6778-744545.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Top in tall rough</td></tr>
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#3 is coming along and this warmer weather will only help. We will have to install another sprinkler to hit the lower half of the new sod. Hopefully this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f_-lY45lXmOVbU2MdP3oyHKGRoGur1G6B8df3gDjhaybguTqh6Kc7eijvAmFfmuF7BiHP0-dAriOtL6EVkeS1oA5voPu4C5A6gxqqihwGiKmfMsO_t0RG7gAxSG6LxzhiPZb-rQOzot9/s1600/IMG_6779-747221.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6559577055960484882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f_-lY45lXmOVbU2MdP3oyHKGRoGur1G6B8df3gDjhaybguTqh6Kc7eijvAmFfmuF7BiHP0-dAriOtL6EVkeS1oA5voPu4C5A6gxqqihwGiKmfMsO_t0RG7gAxSG6LxzhiPZb-rQOzot9/s400/IMG_6779-747221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lowering sod height</td></tr>
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My last post was a plea for people to help us improve the course by following the directional signs and ropes and stay off newly seeded and sodded areas. I also asked people to keep their pull carts off the collars of the greens. The pictures below show people inside the ropes and pull cart tracks right up the right collar on three and on new seeded area to the left of the 3rd approach bunker. Obviously these people are not reading this blog or getting the message.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GL2YB7xp8mdzQSPTzIWIYDC3UCxz0dkbMLbxhIfNvHLBp7QG3kFnoAydkZgX-ve0GTo_J7u_Mhh07Fqyj3g786-leJdVpLQsvbJI2nofsSHfazDzrQh_vuLSgMjkhgKYgi9JQFhTS09W/s1600/IMG_6780-749834.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6559577069090016594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GL2YB7xp8mdzQSPTzIWIYDC3UCxz0dkbMLbxhIfNvHLBp7QG3kFnoAydkZgX-ve0GTo_J7u_Mhh07Fqyj3g786-leJdVpLQsvbJI2nofsSHfazDzrQh_vuLSgMjkhgKYgi9JQFhTS09W/s640/IMG_6780-749834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not getting much help......</td></tr>
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On a tip in the TurfNet forum from a Superintendent in Illinois, Chuck Barber St Charles CC, I purchased an inexpensive weather station. It is WiFi and connected to the Weather Underground site. Check it out <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KMAVINEY10" target="_blank">HERE</a> Bookmark the site for all your Mink Meadows weather interests.<br />
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-43523898948634072302018-05-18T16:15:00.000-04:002018-05-18T16:15:37.443-04:00I need your help<div>
This has certainly been an interesting year so far. In this earlier post <a href="http://minkmeadows.blogspot.com/2018/01/tree-work-removing-emotion.html" target="_blank">"tree work"</a> I showed pictures of the right side of three green where we removed a few trees trying to improve the growing environment and playability of the hole. I discussed removing the emotion of trees trying to temper peoples reaction to some tree removal. Then we had 4 nor'easters come through in just a few weeks and the devastation was severe on this hole. From the back of the 3 green to the 2nd green we lost approximately 30 trees. Some were uprooted as earlier posts showed. The clean up has all been done and the repairs have been made to the course. We now need to give the sod and seed a chance to establish to ensure its longevity. Seedlings and new sod have this in common: they both fail under traffic. In fact, most grass fails under intense traffic. This is where I need your help. Eventually we will have to figure out the best way to get carts and walkers from the short turf to the path and next tees. For now it is a temporary path well short of the old path. This is so we can establish grass where it was basically woods.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Seedlings and new sod have this in common: they both fail under traffic"</i></span></h4>
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Concentrated traffic equals dead grass and a path. Whether drive carts all exiting a fairway in the same spot or push/pull carts all walking on a collar. The grass doesn't know the difference. The ropes on the course are for both. The "ALL CARTS" signs are for both. The "NO PULL CARTS" signs are for push carts also. We have once again put green stakes at the edge of the tall rough to remind carts to stay out of there. I also placed them on the right of 3 to keep carts out of the short rough. This section of rough has never been good from the lack of sunlight, tree competition etc. It took a real beating from all the tree company trucks this spring. It has been given some attention and seeded so hopefully with a break from cart traffic the grass there will bounce back and the seed will germinate. The right woods has also been seeded to repair from all the tree removal and the ensuing damage. Please take care while searching for errant balls. Once this area heals it will be a completely different hole. Below is a picture showing the green area and the traffic pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMHw-rgLm68sKqD2Fon5YTKQaVCjElvxz88L1imfkKED4MyO39O_VBmXBpbzxTB9uzuXed-D5pJTUC2JhpwS7TsQPNFMTFCpkQSgHMbb8G4GdkBEkd97mbMmNaBulAfbb-MxJi7Yl3luh/s1600/3rd+hole+traffic+issues.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1018" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMHw-rgLm68sKqD2Fon5YTKQaVCjElvxz88L1imfkKED4MyO39O_VBmXBpbzxTB9uzuXed-D5pJTUC2JhpwS7TsQPNFMTFCpkQSgHMbb8G4GdkBEkd97mbMmNaBulAfbb-MxJi7Yl3luh/s640/3rd+hole+traffic+issues.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 during construction looking down old path to bobcat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 now mowing week old sod. crazy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back towards tee. new bunker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back towards tee old bunker during tree work </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spiking rough on 3/ Topsoil being spread on 2 and logs being removed</td></tr>
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It has been a busy few weeks trying to get all these projects wrapped up. The weather has been cold but a we are seeing more players every week. The grass is starting to grow and regular maintenance is demanding our attention. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we recover from the storm damage and please help us give you the best course conditions by staying off the damaged areas as best as you can.<br />
<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-29473784482562520682018-04-16T08:42:00.001-04:002018-04-16T08:42:40.486-04:00Last Day for Golf AuctionRegulars to this blog will remember me discussing the Tee Up New England Auction. I covered it <a href="http://minkmeadows.blogspot.com/2017/04/golf-auction-tee-up-new-england.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> in a post. This is the last day for the on-line auction. There are some great courses as usual but this year we have added the ATG Alumni Turf Group from UMass. They have solicited rounds from outside NE and they would be bucket list courses for any golfer. Here is a screen grab of one of the current auction pages. Remember these prices are for foursomes with carts in most cases. Read the descriptions of each to see what, if any, restrictions may apply. All proceeds go towards turf research in NE and the ATG.<br />
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<a href="http://atlanticauctioncompany.hibid.com/catalog/128366/2018-tee-up-new-england-benefit-auction/?ipp=100" target="_blank">TEE-UP LINK</a><br />
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Thank-youMatthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-91760990990106920202018-04-10T16:29:00.000-04:002018-04-10T16:29:37.767-04:00Getting closer<div>
Well it has been almost three weeks since the last update. I lamented then about the weather and honestly nothing has changed. We have received some rain and the place has greened up, so it is starting to Look like Spring but we had snow flurries again today so it certainly doesn't Feel like it!!<br />
In the last post I showed the spoils from the marsh project dumped on two being spread. One of our members and landowners flew in on a Cape Air flight and grabbed this picture. I circled the two main areas we worked in. You can clearly see the trenches and fish pools dug in the marshes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial of West Chop showing our marshes</td></tr>
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We graded out the spoils again and spread the fill over the top. It was too wet to drive the loader on and even our bobcat was rutting the fill and not able to do a great job of it. I gave it a couple more days to dry out and was able to get it smooth but it was still like walking on a waterbed and the water was trying to poke thru in a few spots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh spoils on corner of 2 fairway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spoils with a line to show rough plan for grass and pollinator habitat</td></tr>
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Tomorrow we turn on the irrigation system. A very frightening day since we had so much frost in the ground this winter. The last time we had that much frost it took a week since we found 13 pieces of galvanized pipe that had leaks. We no longer use any galvanized pipe from the original system but if it is attached to the original 1936 main it is technically live. Last Fall we lost power to a bunch of the satellites. We knew we had to replace the leg from 9 to 8 (1500 feet) but I was hoping to find a single break in the leg from 8 to 7 and repair just that. No such luck. Similar to the other piece it was riddled with so many breaks it needed to be replaced. So another 1100 feet of trench to dig and clean up. Part of the problem with this type of work is hitting things inadvertently such as the three "abandoned" galvanized lines I hit in the first run. With the main line being 6 feet deep repairs are not fun. I am praying for a miracle and these lines are no longer connected to the main. To say we need a new irrigation system is the understatement of the century considering we are still using parts of the original installed early in the last century.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire and trench issues</td></tr>
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The tree cleanup from the storms continues slow and steady. These are the ones on the lawn which I showed leaning in the last post. Pictures do not do this justice. Even the video of the partial pile accumulating does not give you the full breadth of the damage all over the property.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two large pines on clubhouse lawn</td></tr>
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At least we have some golfers enjoying the property. I caught these two on 8 while it was flurrying last week.</div>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-66258353987402584802018-03-21T14:52:00.000-04:002018-03-21T14:52:30.790-04:00Spring?<div>
Well Spring has officially begun. You would not know it by the snow on the ground, temperatures and another Nor'easter bearing down on us. I documented a few more trees that have been damaged in the storms. Some work is getting done whether cleaning the course again or spreading the marsh spoils on the outside corner of number 2. I have decided to plant that area to pollinator habitat. It was full of scrub oak, invasive Russian olive and poison ivy. I think adding to the habitat for bees and butterflies will be a great thing and blend with our environmental approach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tree damage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh spoils spread out on #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last storm had blowing wet snow</td></tr>
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<br />Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-10095136640231425342018-03-14T10:08:00.001-04:002018-03-14T10:08:26.870-04:00Number 3 Nor’easter <div>
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A lot has happened since my last posts. I went away to the <a href="http://nertf.org/" target="_blank">NERTF.org</a> conference and show in Providence. During those 4 days we had another Nor'easter. That middle one was simply 1.27" of rain and 50 mph winds. Just another day. Now the 3rd storm was another story. In case you have not been following NE weather that was a not a typo. 3 Nor'easters in 12 days. #3 had bigger winds and lots of heavy wet snow with a wet start of .9" of rain. Power loss, more trees, a real storm for sure. The course appears to be OK without any major tree damage that I could see from my quick walk and drive around. the roads suffered a bit harder with trees down all over the place. The snow will not hurt the grass but it will slow down the cleaning of the course from all these storms. I am hearing rumors of a possible storm next week. This is not a fun pattern. Guessing we had 6-8 inches of snow. Hard to tell since it was blowing around so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87p0kfwAbSRbet87Crz2S5ro6n66QN8c8dkJoXYoZ0LguvPpaAQ-lYQ_VJDamtYGT_m6XxunctgquvdKymx9SAbrG5zZ2rrsmE-oQ5ss6egpRLXMCLejN3d0JFvNV_OShwYjbscCiNonz/s1600/IMG_6119-732727.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6532797017233861202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87p0kfwAbSRbet87Crz2S5ro6n66QN8c8dkJoXYoZ0LguvPpaAQ-lYQ_VJDamtYGT_m6XxunctgquvdKymx9SAbrG5zZ2rrsmE-oQ5ss6egpRLXMCLejN3d0JFvNV_OShwYjbscCiNonz/s400/IMG_6119-732727.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a difference a day makes. 1st hole 24 hrs apart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASxzZRXbL_pyKPm8cqxMFHSwcv4w4pYq_aZ8gfTT8tvOftRbcZXPGo3WEXgA3kBVxxVBinM4yiQVxwbJasuiqu68V6gwUVlpeb-X6PbocAxpIkj81B4zq8Dx7I-v-1qNqlXWZYbqvJmrt/s1600/IMG_6135-735279.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6532797025627911042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASxzZRXbL_pyKPm8cqxMFHSwcv4w4pYq_aZ8gfTT8tvOftRbcZXPGo3WEXgA3kBVxxVBinM4yiQVxwbJasuiqu68V6gwUVlpeb-X6PbocAxpIkj81B4zq8Dx7I-v-1qNqlXWZYbqvJmrt/s400/IMG_6135-735279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roads. Snow stuck to everything</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETZOX4MINSDFNLwBUTL7n0UlJzWyrLaTdRGNd75t2wOMWnyEzwVq4dqa9Y3VhUE9A9Y79ZMm4eMqLk2BqgLmLcdfgyLgbX-jSvROgpqbNC7_eR9Dew858BATkqeTXH37aNRo5NMLeFgwD/s1600/IMG_6136-737572.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6532797038284600738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETZOX4MINSDFNLwBUTL7n0UlJzWyrLaTdRGNd75t2wOMWnyEzwVq4dqa9Y3VhUE9A9Y79ZMm4eMqLk2BqgLmLcdfgyLgbX-jSvROgpqbNC7_eR9Dew858BATkqeTXH37aNRo5NMLeFgwD/s400/IMG_6136-737572.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course. Heavy wet snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireNUcBDJxnjw58qPQyexwZKPBE6gIwqoQfYGw7Bf8wK9f5NT-rZKSCHRodWwW09V_4gRBb7LQyCFFa2dg9uYQAJirhV8TIryrsC06esoRqW9-KT9a4EYd8wLd1bwC6cn9eP-hPj3MLs2_/s1600/IMG_6137-739905.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6532797049480526194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireNUcBDJxnjw58qPQyexwZKPBE6gIwqoQfYGw7Bf8wK9f5NT-rZKSCHRodWwW09V_4gRBb7LQyCFFa2dg9uYQAJirhV8TIryrsC06esoRqW9-KT9a4EYd8wLd1bwC6cn9eP-hPj3MLs2_/s400/IMG_6137-739905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forecasts from Twitter</td></tr>
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-909592532574842446.post-43107855081975972832018-03-05T06:24:00.000-05:002018-03-05T06:24:03.236-05:00Storm update<div>
The pictures and videos cannot do the damage justice. I had checked the beach area and roads looking for damage anywhere. Many landowners had substantial damage but it appeared the course was spared. That is how it looked at least from the roads and driveways. When I finally toured the course it was another story. Certain areas were devastated. Luckily it was not on any major playing surface.<br />
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Matthew Crowther CGCShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414877627740848822noreply@blogger.com0