SUMMER 2020 THE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB OF KANSAS CITY GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE
As crazy as it sounds, we are already halfway through 2020. I think most of us would agree that’s a good thing, based on everything that has already occurred this year. Our goal for the rest of 2020 is to continue to improve every day … regardless of what is going on in the world around us. All things considered, the first six months of the year for your Golf Course Maintenance team has gone pretty well. Our staff has stayed healthy, the weather hasn’t been too crazy, and we have made strides on future improvements. I want to thank you for your cooperation and patience with golf course maintenance. We strive to make each day a special experience for you. Enjoy this summer edition of The National Quarterly. As always, I hope you’ll contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Regards,
Gary Sailer
Director of Golf Course Maintenance The National Golf Club of Kansas City garys@fivestarlifestyles.com
CLIPPING YIELD DATA We collect clipping yield data each day from #3 and #14 greens. This data helps confirm our fertility rate and how well our growth regulators are performing. Based on collecting this data for several weeks, we have confidence that when we reach a certain amount of clippings, our fertility rate is where we want it to be in order to maintain the kind of green speed and appearance we desire. The result is healthier greens and consistency in terms of playability.
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NATIVE GRASS IMPROVEMENTS Since the native grass areas are fully established, we started implementing our weed control program. We pre-emerged these areas last fall and are in the process of spraying a postemergent product to control broadleaves such as thistles, sunflowers, small woody plants and horseweed. Weed-free native areas will be a great accent to our already beautiful golf course.
POA ANNUA UPDATE By now I’m sure you are aware of our PoaCure trials on the back of #7 and west side of the chipping green. The PoaCure is working, just as advertised. The poa in these areas are dying out and the bentgrass has started the process of filling in these voids. Our next step will be to apply supplemental fertilizer applications on these treated areas to speed up the bentgrass encroachment. The bentgrass grows best between the months of May and September, so pushing new growth is critical during these months. Evaluating the appearance and putting quality during the process is important as well to determine if the end justifies the means. By the end of the year or early next spring, we will decide if this is poa treatment is something we wish to use course-wide. We are optimistic about this product and will keep you posted on our results. 3
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These weather graphs speak for themselves. It’s been a hot and dry start to the summer. Hopefully, we’ll see these numbers return to average for both temperature and rainfall.
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Have you had the opportunity to meet Graham Edelman, GCM Assistant at The National? Graham grew up in the small town of Sabetha, Kansas. After high school, he moved to Lawrence to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. It was there, after getting a job at Eagle Bend Municipal Golf Course, when Graham found his true passion and fell in love with golf course work. He changed his academic focus to turf management and started working at the Lawrence Country Club where he moved up the ladder from an intern to senior assistant over the next 10 years. Graham joined The National Golf Club’s GCM staff in 2016 and has excelled in his position. With his strong work ethic, excellent attention to detail, and impressive turfgrass expertise, Graham is a real asset to our team.
Graham checks green speed using a stimp meter. This daily practice ensures speeds are where they should be.
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Rodolfo (Rudy) Salinas is our featured associate this quarter. Rudy has worked at The National for 16 years. Prior to joining our team, he was employed at Hallbrook Country Club for several years. Rudy, one of the GCM spray techs, does an excellent job preparing and applying spray applications throughout the course. His many years of experience and vast knowledge of course maintenance procedures make him an invaluable resource, extremely capable of performing any task asked of him. With an excellent attitude and a very friendly demeanor, Rudy is truly an asset to our organization. We hope you’ll give Rudy a wave or say hello when you see him on the course.
Rudy shown operating one of our four spray rigs
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We witnessed this wild turkey on #16 recently and have seen others on #13 and throughout the back nine.
This curious deer was seen early one morning on #18.
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White Alloe ...................... July 15th-18th Watson Challenge ......... August 4th-6th Morning Belle .................. August 12th-14th Greens Aeration ............. August 17th-18th *dates subject to change
6700 N. National Drive Parkville, MO 64152 816.746.0200 www.thenationalgolfclub.com
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