Landscape Project

We recently pulled out old, overgrown shrubbery that partially died from the harsh winter. The two areas we aesthetically upgraded, were behind #1 Lakes Course Tee and behind the pro shop/banquet area. We are extremely happy with the way it turned out and we hope you are as well!

Below is a picture of the before and after of one of the flower beds. We used mostly perennial plants that will provide extended color throughout the main golf season.

Bees in Bunkers

 

The bees you are seeing in the bunkers are called Eastern Cicada Wasp Killers. Although their large size and swarming can seem intimidating, these bees are non-aggressive. Unless these insects are directly handled, they try to avoid contact and WILL NOT STING PEOPLE. Control of these wasps are extremely difficult, because they do not swarm or have nests. They are a very solitaire bee that prefers to be by itself. The Cicada Wasp killer will be around for 4-6 weeks and we are currently on about week 2 right now (7/11/14.)

The picture to the left is one of the wasp killing the Cicada insect, that it is named after. The picture on the right is a typical burrow that you will see in a bunker edge.

 

Once again, there is no danger with these bees. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Bug Spray and Sunscreen Kill Grass

With all of the rainy weather lately, the bugs are out in full force. The picture below is a footprint of someone who sprayed themselves on #1 Woodside fairway. Bug spray and sunscreen kill turf. We would appreciate it if you would spray yourself in the parking lot or on a cart path before teeing off.

 

Thank You!

Ball Marks

On both the Lakeside and Woodside courses at Butler's, we have put a lot of time and effort into repairing ball marks on the greens. Each day, before mowing, our operators walk and fix upwards of 20-30 ball marks on every green. It is extremely difficult to make a putt when your ball bounces over these unfixed ball marks on its way to the hole. We ask that as a courtesy to you and others, that you fix your ball mark and two others as you walk onto the green. This will improve the smoothness of the greens and in turn, improve your game!

 

I have attached a video showing the proper way to fix the ball marks. As with anything else, please do not hesitate to stop me on the course for a quick demonstration.

 

Thank You!

 

Pace of Play Tips

On every golf course, pace of play is a concern. It is a concern for both the golf course and the golfer. We all want to get through our round in a timely manner; typically in under 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Why does this never seem to happen on a busy Saturday afternoon then? It's often a combination of little things not done, that wind up contributing to slow play and traffic jams. Pace of play comes down to basically being prepared and being ready to play. It does not mean you need to feel rushed!

Here are a few things you and your golfing partners can do to help speed up your play:

1) Choose a set of tees appropriate to your skill level. For example, a 25 handicap should never play the "tips" or "pro tees."

2) Each member of the group should proceed to his or hers ball individually, not as a group. This way, everyone is ready to play there next shot when it is there turn.

3) Limit your search for lost balls; Most of the time if you cant find your ball in 1 minute or less, you wont find it in 5 or 10 minutes either. Drop a ball, take a stroke and continue. You aren't in a PGA event (although we all wish we were!)

4) Always keep up with the group in front of you.

I have also added a link below with tips on pace of play from the USGA and Billy Casper, Please take a look!:

Pace of play tips from Billy Casper

Memorial Day

      Like many others, I too am looking forward to the first holiday of summer: lots of grilled food and the golf season really gets going!
      However, I also think back to my grandfather; who passed away a few years ago and served in WWII. I love looking at pictures he sent of he and his buddies to my Mom. He was so young and though he told me of the good times; I can't imagine the stress he was under at other times-essentially risking his life and the lives of the people who wanted freedom so badly.
      He was a proud, patriotic man; who got choked up every time the National Anthem was played. When I was young, he took me to commemorative events as a way to pay respect for those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Through his example, I have a deep admiration to those who serve or have served.
     
God Bless all members of our Armed Forces and Thank you for those who sacrificed your lives so that I may live free.


We have placed American Flags on the 18th hole of each course. Please take the time and place the flags in the holders provided, as to not let the flag touch the ground. Thank You!

Spring Aerification

Here at Butler's, we have one true aerification period (pulling a core and heavily topdressing in the fall) and 4 months of steady greens venting starting in May. Venting involves placing a 3/8 of an inch hole on 2 inch centers roughly about 3 inches in depth. Venting does many things for our greens including but not limited to:

 

• increased water infiltration into the subsoil
• added root growth in the spring
• increased oxygen exchange within the rootzone

We vent roughly 18 greens a week and are on a continuous cycle (we have 43 greens total with practice greens and 4 hole par 3 course.) The best part about all this, besides healthier and better playing surfaces for you, is that after a mow and/or roll, this process does not effect play at all.

 

 

 

 

 

Part Mother Nature/Part Preparation



For the past week or so and leading into the next month, the maintenance staff has been very busy with many inputs on the golf course.  These inputs have ranged from aerifying greens/collars with a solid tine, fertilizing all areas of the golf course, applications of growth regulators, control products, fungicides, bio stimulants, seedhead control on Poa Annua, broadleaf weed control, crabgrass preventer, and micronutrients. What we do now will set the golf course up for a successful season. As you can see in the picture below, what the team did throughout the year last season, set us up for a successful spring. It's all one big cycle and we are always planning for the month ahead and sometimes even the year ahead. If you ever see us out on the golf course and are curious on why/what we are doing, please don't hesitate to ask!

Cart Traffic

In my short time here at Butler's, I can see that we are going to have to put forth much effort into cart traffic to help the playing surfaces from becoming, for a lack of a better word, unplayable.

One of the main cultural practices we will do each spring, is apply extra nitrogen to the heavily trafficked areas to help promote quicker growth and better recovery. We will also go out and aerify these areas, when possible, to help with compaction. Adding cart traffic control ropes and stakes, although ugly, are a necessary evil and will be rotated liberally every couple days as wear dictates.

As you can see below in the picture of #15 Lakes course, carts like to play "follow the leader." What can you do to help, as a golfer? You can start by never following the same path off of the cart path as your playing partners. You can also take the "path less traveled." For example, taking your cart an extra 15 yards up the cart path and then coming back to your ball. All these little things can go a long way in improving the playing conditions of the golf courses.

Thank you and Hope to see you out there!

Poa Seedheads

This past weekend, It was time for us to apply our first "plant protectants" of the year. For this application, we used two different growth regulator products that do a few things for the plant (and golfer.) The first and most obvious thing they will do is improve green speed. The second and more important (long term) result of this application is they will improve turfgrass health and stamina in the summer by reducing Poa Annua seedheads. Our greens are made up of both creeping bentgrass (Agrostis Stolonifera) and annual bluegrass (Poa Annua.) Only the Poa Annua produces those pesky white seedheads in late spring, that cause poor putting conditions. Research shows that with this application, in addition to faster and smoother greens, the energy the plant puts forth toward manufacturing shoots and leaves is reversed. Simply, instead of pushing out shoots and leaves, the turf grows more prolific roots. Deeply rooted turf can pull more nutrients and water from soils when summer heat usually causes root systems to die off.

Happy putting!

Welcome!

My name is Jon Schriner and I am very excited to be the new Superintendent at Butler's Golf Course. I have spent the last 4 plus years as Golf Course Superintendent at a course in Cleveland, Ohio. I am originally from central Pennsylvania and I am an Alumnus of Penn State University with a Bachelors Degree is Turfgrass Science. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at Butler's and am glad to be back closer to home!!!

I also wanted to welcome everyone to the Grounds Management Team Blog at Butler's Golf Course. Here you will be able to obtain information about course conditions, projects, and the staff. Our goal is to provide a place where guests can find answers too many common questions about the golf course and keep up to date on course happenings. Please check back frequently as we will continue to post updates throughout the season.