Science Experiment Gone Wrong

       A new algea recently appeared in the large lake between the 6th and 7th fairways. When we sent this picture of it to an aquatic specialist for identification, we received this response:" Looks like a Scum forming cyano bloom (likely anabaena). When it gets so thick on the surface the sun cooks it. The phycocyanin cooked pigment has that blue color. I would assume it smells bad."
          We removed virtually all of it last Friday with rakes. Today we are adding a chemical to the lake to kill whatever remains
     

USGA Visit

  USGA Agronamist Pat Gross will be visiting The Villages this Monday at 10:00 AM. Everyone is invited to come down to the putting green where Pat will be available for questions.

  

Pat Gross on The Villages Putting Green

Oil Leak

This is what it looks like when the rough mower springs a leak in one of its hydraulic hoses. We will reseed the area in October.

Golf Course Maintenance Update

Proshop staff Steven Orosco and Shaheen Iqbal want to remind all Villages golfers about the upcoming greens aerification on Monday, September10th and greens soaking on Sunday night, September 16th.

Stanley Mouse or Donald Judd?

The other day I was visiting, what I think is the best golf course maintenance blog in California, when I ran across this posting from Golf Course Superintendent/ crazed lunatic, Doug Ayres. It shows a Timothy Leary inspired painting of the Corral De Tierra Country Club logo that Doug painted on his first tee.

Not to be outdone, I pulled out my trusty can of white spray paint and drew this lasso (see below) for the Women's 18-hole, Western themed, Invitational.

Example of the Mimimalism Movement style of Golf Course Art 

New Signs at the Driving Range

New signs have been installed on all driving range stalls warning golfers not to hit golf balls over driving range netting.
 

 

Algae Attack II

Once again the call went out for volunteers to help remove algae from the golf course lakes prior to the Women's 18-Hole Invitational. Six hearty souls answered the call, impliments of destruction in hand. It's this spirit of volunteerism that make The Villages a special place!