COURSE UPDATES
Our agronomy team has completed a number of key projects focused on enhancing course conditions and restoring the championship-level experience that defines Oakwood. Their work has been both strategic and detaildriven, with improvements designed to elevate playability, consistency, and overall course health heading into the season.
This document outlines these efforts and the continued commitment to maintaining Oakwood at the highest standard.
Following a mild winter, we have experienced excellent early-season conditions. The rough (Tall Fescue), fairways (Meyers Zoysia), greens (007 Bentgrass and A1A4 Bentgrass) have all showed great success to start the season. The golf course is in significantly better overall shape compared to this time in spring 2025, providing a strong start to the 2026 season.
The maintenance team has been busy completing a variety of projects this winter, highlighted by the addition of a new pond on Hole 16 and repairs to the existing pond. This update provides an overview of winter projects, current course conditions, our new equipment package, and plans for continued improvements throughout 2026.
Above: Thinning ot the rough due to heavy traffic throughout the winter Major traffic spots will benefit from new aerification machines
Unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed Bentgrass greens to experience several weeks of active growth earlier than normal. This has accelerated recovery from aerification and positioned us well heading into the season. We will continue a consistent topdressing program throughout the year to incorporate sand into the soil profile, improve surface firmness, and fill any voids. Fall and spring aerification remain essential practices for maintaining healthy, smooth, and consistent putting surfaces. A i t i thi mer, we plan to expand and refine ces to further enhance green quality.
Hole 7 of The Intimidator Water level raised by blocking the drains to allow water levels to rise done for visual appearance If Hole 5 keeps showing water issues due to a natural spring under the green complex we may look at making this an irrigation source
Greens aerification using a 6-inch solid tine Once our deep tiner arrives, we’ll expand the process incorporating both 10–12 inch and 4–5 inch depths with multiple machines during spring and fall aerification for improved soil health and playability
With increased play early in the season, some rough areas have experienced thinning, as cooler temperatures limit fescue recovery. To address this, we’ve begun targeted fertilization to improve density and promote regrowth.
We also worked through early-season irrigation challenges, including two power-related outages that delayed initial applications. These issues have now been resolved, and herbicide applications are underway, with continued spot treatments planned throughout the season.
Above: manual fertilizer application on greens following aerification for soil health and healing
Early green-up of our zoysia fairways has been encouraging, and conditions will continue to improve in the coming weeks. Agronomic practices from late 2025 have carried over successfully into this spring.
Cart path restrictions have been critical in protecting turf and minimizing compaction, particularly in newly sodded areas. As conditions allow, restrictions will be eased to balance playability with turf health.
Above: zoysia fairways developing well from winter of 2025 treatments
This winter, our team completed several impactful projects in-house, including:
New stepping stones and walk-through areas on par-3 tees
Construction and repair of the pond on Hole 16
New bunker on Hole 18
Expanded drainage systems
Extensive tree work
Refreshed course signage
Par-3 Hole 5 renovations (bunker + irrigation)
Edging of tee monuments
Fall overseeding of rough
Each project contributes to both the playability and long-term health of the course.
Above: Hole 7 stairs and stone landing installation
Above: Solving the drainage failure on 13
Above: Freshly painted hole signage
Above: Expanded drainage work and overseeding
KANSAS CITY CLIMATE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Winters trending milder overall
Recent years (especially 2023–2025) show slightly warmer winters, with fewer prolonged freezes.
This keeps soil temps more stable (mid-30s vs low-30s) → less winterkill risk but more disease carryover.
2. Moisture variability is the biggest factor
2021 and 2023 were wetter springs → strong early growth.
2024–2025 winters were notably dry → potential for:
Desiccation (death)
Hydrophobic soils early spring (not drinking puddling)
Need for early irrigation
3. Spring soil temps are arriving earlier
Typical:
March: ~45–50°F
April: ~55–60°F
May: ~60–65°F
Much higher temperatures this spring than in the past.
Warmer springs (2024–2025) are pushing:
Earlier green-up
Earlier root activity
Earlier aerification windows
4. Transition zone volatility still present
Kansas City remains a classic transition zone climate: Late freezes still possible into April
Rapid spring warmups → stress on cool-season turf
GOLF COURSE CONTEXT
Aerification timing:
Target soil temps consistently 55–60°F (usually mid–late April now)
Fungicide planning:
Mild winters → higher risk of:
Spring dead spot (bermuda)
Other chemical applications for disease pressure
Irrigation strategy: Dry winters (2024–2025 trend) = plan earlier system startup
Traffic management: Wet springs (like 2021/2023) require:
→ extended cart restrictions
→ protection of green surrounds
EVALUATING CONDITIONS
As we evaluate recent conditions, we’ve identified ongoing challenges with zoysia fairway growth, particularly in the spring. As noted, cart restrictions play an important role during these periods, especially in late winter and early spring when turf remains under stress. One factor contributing to early success this season has been the use of irrigation throughout the winter, as recent trends have shown warmer, drier conditions over the past two years.
This information helps explain the need for cart path-only periods, as well as increased chemical inputs, and reflects the broader strategy we are implementing as weather patterns continue to evolve.
Last year, we experienced approximately two months of optimal zoysia growing conditions, primarily in July/August. If current trends continue and new equipment arrives on schedule, 2026 should provide an extended growing window for fairways, allowing us to implement additional agronomic practices benefitting course conditions for years.
COURSE CONSUMPTION
2025 water plan from January-April
2026 water plan from January-April shows around 400,000 more gallons for the first 4 months of the year. This puts us at 1,654,828 gallons of water this year so far. This is approximately ¼ more water usage so far, which will lead to greener, healthier turf.
Over the winter, we evaluated several equipment options and ultimately selected a comprehensive package designed to elevate our maintenance capabilities. We finalized an $880,000 investment, with the majority of equipment scheduled to arrive in May.
This investment goes beyond simply acquiring new machinery. It was strategically designed to enhance our ability to maintain the course at the highest level and position Oakwood for continued advancement in regional and national rankings. Our previous equipment limited the scope and consistency of key agronomic practices required to reach that standard.
This nearly $1 million commitment supports improved turf health, more efficient operations, and an elevated overall member experience key factors in both satisfaction and long-term retention.
Five utility vehicles (John Deere)
Tractor with snow plow and towing capabilities
Triplex greens mower
ProGator utility vehicle
Sand topdresser and fertilizer spreader
Super 600 debris blower
Reel and bedknife grinders
300-gallon GPS sprayer
Tractor-mounted aerifier
Fairway topdresser and material handler
Additional supporting equipment
USGA Deacon (A golf ball with facts)
These acquisitions address critical gaps in our operation. Many of these tasks were previously outsourced or could not be performed to our desired standards. With this investment, we will significantly improve efficiency, consistency, and overall course conditions.
Our equipment technician has made a substantial impact since joining in July, restoring and maintaining older equipment while contributing to the overall success of the operation.
A more detailed pdate on how this equip shared onc
Right: Larger sand topdresser for fairways featuring a conveyer belt on right side for bunker audits and adding sand.
Left: New aerifier for poking at deeper depths
Above: Fertilizer with precise chemical applications, which will cut costs of chemicals
Right: Tractor attachment for fairways/tees/etc Verticutting (vertical cuts making turf stand vertical) Sweeper (picks up cores) Crucial for getting more tight consistent playing conditions
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work to elevate course conditions. Our maintenance team has demonstrated exceptional dedication, and their efforts are directly reflected in the improvements you see on the golf course.
We are committed to making Oakwood one of the premier country clubs in the Midwest and are excited for what lies ahead in 2026.
Please watch for additional updates regarding equipment arrivals, course conditions, and upcoming projects. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Jacob Foster Golf Course Superintendent jacob@oakwoodcountryclub.org
