Bermudagrass Goes Dormant

During the first half of December we had 9 frost delays. In an 11 day period we had 10 days with low temperatures in the 30's and one day with a low in the 20's. If you're wondering what all that "white" dead looking grass is on the course, it's just Bermudagrass that has gone dormant. It has not died, and will green right back up in the spring when temperatures warm up again.
We have been planting Bermudagrass on the course since we started having problems with the high salt levels in the recycled water killing  some of the turf on the course. Bermudagrass is much more salt tolerant. The downside with Bermudagrass is that it goes dormant in the winter when the weather is especially cold. But cheer up, spring will be here before you know it!
 

The Killer Beachballs are Back

We've put two more "Terror Eyes" out on the 7th hole in an effort to scare the coots away. We're not sure how well they will work. We'll see!
 

Solar Powered Workman?

No.
Just moving the awning from the side of the pro shop to the Golf Course Maintenance area behind the 11th green.

 

Fairway Aerification Time

 

Fall Fairway Aerification Schedule

Monday, October 7th: Fairways 2 and 3
Tuesday, October 8th: Fairways 16 and 17
Wednesday, October 9th: Fairways: 5 and 8
Tuesday, October 15th: Fairways 13 and 14
Wednesday, October 16th: Fairways 10 and 18
Friday, October 18th: Fairways: 4, 6, 7 and 11
Tuesday, October 22nd: Fairways 1 and 9
Wednesday, October 23rd: Fairways 12 and 15

Let's Hope For A Wet Winter

Click on the link below to view the future of golf course irrigation.
http://www.golfchannel.com/media/in-play-with-jimmy-roberts-water-feature-073013/

Third Annual Birdhouse Tour

The 3rd Annual Villages Birdhouse Tour was held Monday, May 13th. Tour leaders, Mary and Dave Fullerton did another great job of explaning all about the different types of birds that we have on the golf course. The following is Mary's report of the tour: 

"It was a very nice group.  They nearly all came the whole way around to the 18^th hole finish with us, asked good questions, even helped spot the birds.  We had great cooperation from our birds as well.  There were bluebirds actively feeding their young at the 10^th tee and at the 4^th tee.  Even though when golfing we Fullertons have seen Bluebirds using the mid-short 9 house, we didn’t see them there today when looking from the 4^th tee.  Perhaps those birds have already fledged.

The Tree Swallow parents were actively feeding their young at the 5th/bocce court  and at the 13th/practice area. When we approached the house, one of the parents was sitting at the hole looking out and everyone got to see it, then the other parent came in with food, called out and they swapped places.  It was quite neatly done and people were excited to see it!  I told people about the five hatchlings in the bird cam house and gave out the bird cam URL to those interested.  Adrien says the link will be on the new web site at some point.
I did mention that Titmice had used the house at the 6^th green and we have seen Bluebirds at the 17^th tee house and encouraged the walkers and golfers to go on their own to the three houses we skipped."
Thank You Mary and Dave.


 

Villages bird enthusiasts gather around the birdhouse near the Vineyard Center

Time To Buy The Cigars

The eggs have hatched inside the birdhouse adjacent to the Vineyard Center. To see the baby Swallows live, click on the link below.

 

Live streaming from the NestCam