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 Winter Projects!
As I write this article, I can only take a moment to reflect on my first year at the Penn State Golf Courses. I officially started one year ago January 22nd, and I feel we had a successful first season in golf course management. As we plan for year two and the Women’s Big Ten Golf Championship, I would like to bring you up to date with some of our winter projects:
1. We started the relocation and repair of all the benches on the Blue Course. Some of them were not located near their new tee, while others need replacement slats.
2. A deep vertical mowing to greens #4 and #7 on the Blue course was performed. You may recall these greens opened for the first time this year. After one year of play, they developed a barrier which prevented the movement of water, air and nutrients. We cut through that layer and filled the cut with sand to ensure better performance next season.
3. The collar and approach to the 7th green on the Blue Course was also removed and resodded for improved playability.
4. One of the biggest projects, still in progress, is hole #18 on the Blue Course. Last summer we removed a Poplar tree which sat 30 yards short left of the green, with the intent of installing a bunker in its place. In this location, we are re-contouring the fairway by moving bentgrass sod to the left and rough sod to the right, installing the bunker, and adding extra irrigation to the left side.
5. Other projects included: selective dead tree removal, a walking bridge over the quarry on #15 of the Blue Course, leaf removal, and winter fertilization.
Overall it has been a mild winter with regard to the weather. These mild conditions have allowed us the opportunity to get outside and perform some of this work. With the help of Mother Nature, our current staff, and some Penn State turfgrass students, it has been a productive winter.
Enjoy the rest of the winter! See you on the course in the spring.
Rick Pagett
Golf Course Superintendent
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