Kermit Says... "The Golf Course Recycles!"

 

After a thorough inspection, Villager and recycling guru, Kermit Enander, gives the Golf Course Maintenance Department recycling center the thumbs up. For all those golfers who can't stand the thought of putting something that is recyclable into the trash, you can now rest assured that all recyclables that are put into any trash can on the golf course will be recycled. 

There's a Fungus Among Us

What happened to the greens?
Although we  love rain, the return of winter rains right after we aerified and topdressed the greens
caused a pretty big disease outbreak. The outbreak was caused by the sand topdressing which kept the grass nice and wet for a week. And these particular fungi love cold wet conditions.There are actually two diseases; Pink Snow Mold are the little spots that have a pinkish color on the outside of the diseased area. The other disease is called Waitea Patch. These are the larger yellow rings. A fungicide that treats both diseases was applied on April 16th. We will be applying another chemical that controls both diseases this coming Monday to ensure total control..



Waitea Patch

Pink Snow Mold

Certified Wildlife Habitat

The Villages Golf and Country Club has become a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. We accomplished this certification by providing wildlife with food, water, cover and places to raise young.

Meet the Crew

The Golf Course Maintenance Team
Back row: left to right, Isreal, Victor, Rigo and Beto.
Front row: Left to right, Agustin, Fernando, Miguel, Jorge, Kirk, Luis, Alberto, Rigo and Francisco.

Greens Aerification: Five Million Holes and 250,000 Pounds of Sand

Aerifying and Topdressing the Par-3 Course Greens

We will be aerifying the greens on April 9, 10 and 11. The Front-9 greens will be aerified and topdressed on Monday, the 9th, and the FRONT-9 WILL BE CLOSED. On Tuesday the 10th we will aerify and topdress the Back-9 greens and the 18-HOLE COURSE WILL BE CLOSED. On Wednesday, the 11th the Par-3 course greens will be aerified and topdressed, and the PAR-3 COURSE WILL BE CLOSED.

If you've always wondered what exactly happens during the aerification/topdressing process, come on down to the putting green on Monday the 9th at 8:30 for DEMO DAY 2012. You'll be able to see the entire process, including: drilling, the sand application, aerification, and dragging in of the sand. 

Mystery Stakes

Returning To Cartpath By The First Green

  We are going to try a new program, and we'll need all golfer's cooperation... On each fairway we have placed two blue and white stakes. We are asking golfers who are still driving on the fairway as they approach the green, to access the cartpath by driving between the two stakes. These stakes will be moved daily. If we can get a majority of golfers to do this, we will spread out the wear and tear on the turf. This should help us keep the grass in these areas in better condition.

Please Don't Call Me a Trap

We put new sand in the bunkers on holes: 5, 6 and 7. It's been over seven years since these bunkers were renovated and had new sand put in them. Over the years, dust, pollen, grass clippings, tree leaves and other contaminants have made their way into the bunkers. These contaminants completely change the characteristics of the bunkers. They tend to become more compacted and hold onto more water. The new sand will keep the bunkers softer and dryer.