Summer Is in Full Swing for GCM

Francisco Munoz Topdressing 11's Green

This morning we sent the topdresser out into the field to address the leveling of the newly laid sod on 1, 5, 10 - 13 and 15's greens.  This will aid in the improved playability of the greens.  We are also planning tomorrow to address the last couple of small areas on five's green, and we may later this week address one more are on the putting green.

I have been asked "why are we sodding the same areas again this year."  This is a excellent question and there are three answers.  First, the sodding is less than last year and is in the areas that were sodded mid June survived the overseeding process ... should note the aggressive nature of overseeding ALWAYS damages the turf.  Ideally, you should wait one year before overseeding new sod, but in the real world the best we can do usually is at least 100 days ... this year we did that by starting in May.  Second, the timing of the "failed" sod areas from last year were the ones we did in late July.  Lastly, overseeding will always cause the loss of the weakest turf.  This is why we try to get the 100+ days of growth.

Manrique Lopez Attacking Hot Spots on 14's Fairway

This afternoon we are addressing the "hot spots" in the fairways using the thatch master.  These areas have plenty of bermudagrass but the dead ryegrass is impeding the lateral growth.  The thatch master aids in the removal of this dead rye.


Desert Sunshine's Team Trimming the Oleanders

Lastly, all day and the remainder of the week we will be addressing the growth of the oleanders along El Dorado.  This twice per year maintenance is required by Palm Desert code.  At the same time we will be trimming the palm around the clubhouse and the date palm on the golf course.