HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-21-REC-rpt (USGA Turf Report)Pine Meadows Golf Course
Lexington, Massachusetts
Visit Date: May 21, 2014
Present: Mr. John Allen, Jr., Vice President of Operations
United States Golf Association
James E. Skorulski, Senior Agronomist I Green Section I Northeast Region
1500 North Main Street I Palmer, MA 01069 1 413-283-2237 1 Fax: 413-283-7741 1 Email:
USGA Green Section Mission: The USGA Green Section are leaders in developing and disseminating
agronomically, environmentally, and economically sustainable management practices. We help golf facilities
maintain better playing conditions for better golf through science-based and practical solutions.
It was my pleasure to make a half day Course Consulting Service visit to Pine Meadows
Golf Course on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. The following report is offered as a
summary of the major points discussed during the visit.
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The 4.1h green was showing better signs of recovery because the green has been closed
through the season. The recovery on the 8th green has not progressed as well and this
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can be attributed to the fact that the green has been kept open to play. Additionai
seeding work is required in damaged areas on both greens.
The approach in front of No. 4 green should be regrassed with sod taken from a
perimeter of a fairway area. Trying to recover this high-traffic area from seed will not
prove successful.
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Soil MqDMg�merrt
Growinq Environment
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Finally, plans should be made -to build actual -tee boxes on the 6 th and 7"' tees to repla
'the makeshift tees that were cut into rough areas a number of years ago. The new tee
would be built with 6-8" of commercial soil mix over the native soils. The subsoils woull
be graded to level the surface. The tees would be oriented with the fairways and
gated. They can be established from seed or sod. I
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dater that leaves the property -from the 2nd hole is backing up. This in turn slows any
drainage that would naturally occur through the Vt fairway. Sediment and other debris
need to be removed from the strearn that exits the golf course to reestablish norrylal flow
rates. This should be considered routine annual maintenance to help keep water
moving through the I't and 2nd holes.
General Maintenance
The quality of cut we observed in the -fairways was not good. This is probably due to the
rapid growth rates of the -turf due to the rain and optimal growing conditions we have
experienced. Increase the snowing frequency temporarily until the cut improves. It would
be worth lowering the height of cut slightly to see if you can obtain a better Cut on the
perennial ryegrass and bentgrass in place.
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to heat and drought stress in the summer season. There will likely be long term effects
on course conditioning into the summer season.
Do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any questions regarding ti-iis report or if
we can be of any help going forward. The Green Section appreciates your support of
the Course Consulting Service and we hope to continue to work with you and to make
the golf course as good as it can be.
The Green Section appreciates your support of TAS and we encourage visiting the
website I It ://WWW.Li �J� 0 o'iten as ?id=26223 to access regional updates that
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detail our observations across the region and provide a snapshot of the types of
problems and conditions we are seeing in our -travels.
cc: Mr. John Allen, Jr., Vice President of Operations
New England Golf Corporation
Ms. Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, Town of Lexington
Mr. Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds
Mr. William Harrison, President of New England Golf Corporation
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Guidelines for Building Great Tees
httUI/tLflf. liIb.rnsu.edLI/20OOs/2005/050,1-.;20.
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