Golf Course Update

I have been out on the golf course almost daily over the course of the winter just keeping track of the conditions and  changes.  As of today we have had snow cover for 53 days .  This may become an issue if the snow persists much longer.  This is the time line for the most devastating winter disease Grey snow mold,   I have attached the following link for your review of this disease, http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-101-W.pdf.  The most interesting aspect of Grey Snow Mold is the longer you have snow cover the more devastating the disease.  I do not see any of the snow melting any time soon and the last forecast that I saw more snow is on the way.  I did apply a fungicide for the control of both Pink and Grey Snow Mold but with the prolonged snow cover and very wet soils that we had early in the winter I am sure that there has been some break down occurring.  To be honest, I do not see any signs of any snow mold now and hopefully that will be the case for the future.

As for the ice on the golf course as of today, I am not too concerned with ice damage.  In the picture you can see some ice, the ice is fairly granular (if you can open up the picture you will be able to see the air holes in the ice) and not very solid. Comparing this to years that I have had ice damage this ice on the greens is different.  I believe air can be transferred out or in through this ice. The ice we had last year was so solid that it trapped the air and develop a anaerobic environment.   This in turn ending up killing some spots on the greens.

This year we have done everything we could to prevent ice build up.  Right before the snow fell in December, I cut out a few drainage pathways to help move any standing water off the green.  I do not have any good pictures because we were doing this in the snow.  In theory the water should move off the green much easier with these cutouts.  I do my best to keep up with Mother Nature but she just keeps giving me more to deal with.

Thanks

Neil

On The Move

I can now be free to move around the golf course.  In the fact that I can now post entries right from my phone. 
In the long run, I will be saving my time by not having to sit in front of the computer.  I feel that I will also be able to post more in the summer months.  It is so hard to sit done and write in the summer I would much rather be outside. 

My blog has come a long way and now that I am embracing the new technology it can only get better

Thank you

Neil

CGCS

I recently completed the renewal process and was able to maintain my status as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

I received my initial Certification in 2005.  The certification program was established in 1971 to recognize outstanding and progressive Superintendents.  In 2005, the program was restructured in order to raise the level of professionalism through comprehensive ongoing education.  This "new" program is recognized by the National Certification Commission as "one of the most extensive and comprehensive certification program for any profession'. 

The Certification program is a very comprehensive and difficult program.  The candidate must have a least three years experience as a golf course superintendent and meet post secondary educational requirements and/or continuing education points.  The candidate must then develop a portfolio based on numerous case studies scenarios and submission of work studies.  Also , an on-site inspection of the golf facility is conducted by another CGCS Superintendent.  Additional a very rigorous six hours examination is given testing  all aspects of golf course maintenance including; equipment, irrigation, technology, human resources, rules of golf, financial and administrative systems, regulatory systems, crisis management, project management, ethics and values.

Maintaining this certified status requires renewal every five years.  this process involves at least 150 hours of continuing education or retaking the exam.  I was very close to the educational requirements but fell short a few hours and in order to maintain this honor I elected to take the new exam.  The test was a true test of my knowledge and the full six hours was needed to complete the exam.  Was again I am happy to say that I fulfilled my requirements and am one of only 25% class A members that have elected to earn the highest level of recognition in the GCSAA.

Neil Radatz CGCS