A Quick Update

April is just around the corner and I thought this a good time for a course update. With night time temperatures still averaging below freezing soil temperatures have yet to rise.  My last reading was 30 degrees. A few 40 or 50 degree days come as a huge relief to those of us above ground, but it will take a stretch of warm days to bring that relief below ground. Until the soil temperatures grow warm enough to bring the turf out of dormancy, I must remind everyone that foot traffic on the greens will be detrimental to turf health. The temporary pins are still in place and all players are asked to continue playing to these until further notice. 

Spring is coming!
Elliott Dowling

New Addition

Though belated, I wanted to share some news with all of you: On February 3rd, my wife Jennifer and I welcomed our son Elliott Dowling Jr. into the world. He was 8 lbs, and 21 inches long. Both are home, healthy and happy!

See you on the course!
Elliott Dowling

Winter Work 2013

January 23 and not an inch of snow on the ground. I don't know that any of us could of predicted it, but rest assured that even if you don't see us behind the wheel of a plow or the handle of a snow shovel, we are still hard at work.

The order of the season is maintenance, with or without snow. Every machine you've ever seen on the course (and even a few you may not have) must be torn apart, repaired, cleaned, and reassembled. Phil sees to this with confidence, determination, and no small amount of sweat! Meanwhile, all of the tee and green equipment (e.g. Pins, Ball washers and Benches) must be repainted or refinished, though not before receiving a dis-assembly of their own. And of course there's plenty of administrative work to be done, not the least of which being the ordering of all the products to be used on the course next year- which when done early can save Cress Creek a good deal of expense.

Outside, we all pitch in for winter tree maintenance. I'm sure many of you have noticed the trees marked with pink ribbon scattered about the course. These trees have been chosen by the board for removal, and will all be coming down at some point this winter or in the coming spring.  They were chosen due to poor placement for play, their impact on turf health, or their own waning health status. Which trees will be replaced with more suited varieties is a matter under discussion.

With another early start to the season seemingly on the horizon we've got our work cut out for us, but I have no doubt we'll be ready to welcome players back to Cress Creek for a celebration of it's fiftieth year!

Stay Warm out there!
Elliott Dowling
      

Temporary Greens

 Anyone who's read the forecast in the last few days has no doubt had their jaw dropped by this weekends predicted highs in the 50's, with Monday boasting a high in the low 60's. Those who have not already asked about the flags being put back in the greens are surely wondering, however, the flags must remain in the temporary positions. There are a hand full of reasons for this, all of which I found well and succinctly stated in this U.S.G.A. article. Though the format may be out of date, the information within is still quite current.

I understand the frustration that this necessity may generate, but what we do this late in the season directly effects what we receive in the coming spring. Enjoy the weather, enjoy the course, and have a great weekend!

Respectfully submitted,
Elliott Dowling

Scouting Report for October 19

~~The following is the C.D.G.A. scouting report as posted by Derek Settle, PhD. Don't forget to follow the link!~~ October 19, 2012 Scouting Report Needed Rain Arrives: A Mild Week Of Temperature, Very Few Issues, Dollar Spot Is Active Again, Meanwhile Tim Says Fall Fungicides AND Dollar Spot Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle This week was a temperature zig zag, so to speak. Best of all, it was in the right direction of up! Following our coldest period since spring which ended annual flowers in the landscape, Mother Nature relented. Instead she delivered a reprieve in a big way and our high temperatures climbed considerably. For example, on one day we touched 70° with two other days coming pretty darn close to that mark as well. Meanwhile, nights also jumped and all 7 were without freezing. Few if any issues are now troubling turf, although dollar spot has continued to nag - redeveloping on creeping bentgrass surfaces for golf. Biting our nails, dancing for rain and going to church finally paid off... needed rain fell with 1.7 inches this week's tally on Sunshine Course in Lemont. The main feature of the landscape continues to be excellent fall color of trees. Never mind it follows an otherwise difficult growing season and that some individuals had speculated this summer that 2012 wouldn't see much fall color. Shew, it turns out they were wrong. Our most recent splash of color over the past week or two has been spectacular and not surprisingly some have enjoyed more attention than others - luminescent orange sugar maples. Not to be outdone, ginkos, American elms, and lindens began to peak with golden color. This week in a nutshell? The return of rain, few issues and spectacular fall color. As you might expect, there are few complaints. Click here to view the October 19, 2012 Scouting Report. Have a good weekend and enjoy THAT fall color. Derek Settle, PhD Director of Turfgrass Program

Rock Retaining Wall

I mentioned our work on the rock walls to help stabilize certain parts of the pond banks on holes three and eight. I wanted to share a picture of the finished product. This is number three.

See you on the course!
Elliott Dowling

A Few Course Notes

Germination on the re-seeded portion of 18

There are a couple of things on the course that I wanted to call attention to. Th first is the area of eighteen fairway that was re-seeded earlier this month. Germination has been wide spread, with a much higher percentage of coverage than with the original seeding. Anyone who's seen it recently will undoubtedly have noticed the green tint of tiny leaf blades.

On numbers three and eight, we have been working on stabilizing certain areas of the pond banks. You will notice a "rock wall" has been put in place on both holes. This structure is meant to retard the deterioration of these areas, which were slowly giving way to the water.

And while we are on the subject of water, you may notice as you putt out on number five green that the crew is hard at work on the rear bank. Rain, shade, and immense amounts of clay have lead to that bank growing soggy, and the turf there has begun to suffer. We are currently installing additional drainage, and will be sodding the entire area once the drainage is complete. Until then, please excuse of mess!


See you on the course!
Elliott Dowling