17, 10, and 18 Pond Bank....

If you have been to Blackstone lately, you may have noticed the tall native grass that covers the slope of 10, 18, and 17 pond banks to be burnt, and tilled up.to bare soil.  These areas will be fine graded and seeded with Kentucky Bluegrass, like we did to the right of 1.  These areas were rounded up, burnt, and tilled, in order to prep for seed.

This will not only speed up play, but it will provide a cleaner look.  Below is a few pictures of the process.  We are hoping to complete this project asap, just waiting for a break in the weather.

Divot replacement

Each morning my staff and I drive the fairways, and pickup perfectly good divots.  The misconception is that these will not regrow, and divot mix is the only way to replace these gouges in the fairway.  This could not be further from the truth.  

As long as the divot has good roots and soil in tacked, the best way is to replace them.  With adiquate moisture from rain, or irrigation, these will take root fairly quickly.  Much quicker than seed/mix will establish, and give you a better playing surface to hit from.  If the divot shatters to tiny pieces it is best to use mix.  

Thanks again for continual effort in making our fairways the best around!

Respectfully,

Andy Perry

Golf Course Superintendent 

June rains continue...

Blackstone received about in inch of rain in 20 minutes Wednesday evening.  The corse really soaked in well by Thursday morning.  Bunkers weren't so lucky.

90 degree rule for the day, and we ask that you please use caution.  Enjoy your round!

Respectfully

Andy Perry 

Proper Ball Mark Repair

Proper ball mark repair has been a continual issue here at Blackstone Golf Club. As the maintenance staff we pride ourselves on providing the absolute truest greens around, and we repair ball marks each and every morning, but some times the damage has already been done.

Either a ball mark was left early in the morning and dried out, or the golfer chose to use the "lift method" and tore all the roots.  Fixing a ball mark properly is very simple.

1. Insert ball mark tool at the back of the mark.
2. Push inward, towards the center, working your way around the entire mark.
3. Tap mark down with the bottom of your putter.

It's as simple as that.  When I first began playing golf, I was taught to fix yours and another one.  If all golfers were to take this in to fruition, it would go a long way in helping us provide the best possible putting surface that we can. 

Below is a sign that I put together, that will be sitting by the first tee box.  Hopefully the pictures will make it even easier to understand.

Thank you in advance for your efforts!

Respectfully,

Andy Perry
Golf Course Superintendent

New Roller

Recently we purchased a new roller, for our greens here at Blackstone.  The new roller replaces one that was about 9 years old, and mounted on a triplex.  

This roller will allow us to free up a triplex that we can use for mowing tees, approaches, and dethatching.  It will also allow us the ability to roll, without leaving tire marks, ensuring that we can continue to provide the smoothest putting surfaces possible.

Respectfully,

Andy Perry

Fore The Golfer: Bunker Etiquette (+playlist)

Bug spray....

Upon driving the course Monday morning, I happen to notice many brown blotches near several greens.  These blotches are caused by bug spray.  Bug spray that contains the ingredient "Deet" kills grass.  We ask that you please apply bug stay on the cart path. 

Thanks!

Andy Perry 

Golf Course Superintendent 

The Rains Keep Coming...

We received 1.5" of rain on Monday night.  The course soaked it in fairly decent, and we were able to let carts go Wednesday.  

The bunkers are a bit of a mess, and the rough is a growing long, but we are hard at work getting to course back to shape. 

Respectfully, 

Andy Perry

Winter finally coming to an end!

After a very long and brutal winter, it is looking like spring and opening day are very close to reality. As you all know this winter has been cold, windy, icy and snowy for about the last 100 days or so. Snowfall that occurred in December is finally melting away, which has allowed us to to fully inspect the golf course. After walking the golf course several times last week and this week, it is safe to say that we are going to make it out of winter fairly successful. Greens appear to be in great shape, considering the amount of ice and snow. This is why it is important for us to keep Poa Annua out as much as possible which is very susceptible to winter kill. The golf course has very little snow mold, other than a couple of tees that lack air flow. The one thing that many of you will notice as you play your first round or two is the amount of Vole damage that we received is fairly extensive. Voles are large field mice that burrow under the ice and snow, and feed on plant tissue and insects. Damage usually occurs in taller grass, but as we have found, they weren't afraid to venture out on to fairways and a couple of tee boxes. Many areas will soon grow back as soil temperatures rise, and spring fertilizing takes place. Some areas may not, which we will take an organized apptoach in repairing with seed and or sod. Below is a few pictures of the damage which we have also began the process of repair...

http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2014/03/melting-snow-reveals-tiny-trails.html

With the soil temperatures rising, we will be actively be prepping the course for a much anticipated golf season at Blackstone. As the Golf Course Superintendent, I want to say that I am excited and look forward to another great year! Hope to see you all soon! Andy Perry Golf Course Superintendent Andy@blackstonegc.com