18-GC Greens scheduled to be aerated Monday May 3rd, weather permitting.

5th Warmest April in 140 years! May 1st, No Rain come on out!
Temporary greens on aeration day Monday May 3rd.
Greens will be aerated with a smaller than usual 'tine' (.300-inch hole size) due to the spring recovery on a few greens from ice damage. Picture below was from the demo before purchasing in 2008. This machine is 'the best' aerator in the world, operating like a sewing machine. Greens will be topdressed with sand helping provide a smooth and true putting surface.

Flowering trees, bulbs and bird sightings...

Bradford Pears from #9


Serviceberry's from #10 Tee


Redbuds #9


Clubhouse entrance


Daffodils #16/#18


Hyacinths #10 Tee


Fritillaria at 'Superhighway' to Clubhouse


Mallard drake


Pair of Blue-winged Teals migrating through WGC (double click pic to enlarge)


Bluebird on birdhouse Par-3 GC #6 (double click pic to enlarge)


Closer picture before flying away (double click pic to enlarge)

Winnetka Men's Golf Club web site now linked to Blog.

Following the Winnetka Mens Golf Club's annual Spring Banquet last week "Webmaster" Dave Smith put in a link to the WGC-Superintendent Blog. Thank you Dave! For anyone who was not able to attend last week...there is a contest going on for a "free" round of golf for a member to bring out a guest. The first WMGC member who correctly identifies the course and hole number used in this blog's profile picture is the winner. To be honest there has only been one guess to date (thx John L.). Here are some clues...this course held a PGA event in February and your superintendent played it two weeks later. The course is located with ocean views...

#18 Fairway gets some TLC: A Mani & Pedi (in turf terms)

#18 Fairway getting core aerated and de-thatched.



Verticutting procedure was next to break-up the aeration plugs/cores. All other spots on damaged fairways were only verticut due to numerous seedlings already emerging. This was followed by all fairways getting a two week earlier than normal fertilizing. #18 Received more than two years worth in one day.
(Actual picture is #5 Fairway)



#18 Fairway final treatment: Irrigation to get literally millions of seeds to germinate.



#12 Fairway (looking back toward tee) "Ice Damage" notice the surface drainage(lower left corner) at the end of fairway and NO Ice Damage!!!

Carts are running again! Soft conditions PLEASE comply with all signage. 70-Degree weather AGAIN next week!

Naturalized area back of #15 Green

From #18 Fairway north sand bunker

#17 Green

#16 Green

Rule 24 Obstructions...Yellow rope and ball-stakes... how do I play?

Rule 24-1 Movable Obstruction
At Winnetka Golf Club in spring the rope and stakes are typically used to keep the gas cart traffic out of the soft areas until firm. This does not mean you automatically move the ball out of the roped area. You may do so only if you are entitled to relief from casual water.
Rule 25 Abnormal Ground Conditions (Casual Water) i.e., If the nearest point of relief is too wet then you may move outside the roped area. As shown in the pictures. The GOOD news is if you loose the ball in these areas you are not penalized as lost ball. You may take relief similar as a lateral water hazard with NO Penalty.

The 1st of over 10,000 Daffodils opened today! No April Fools Joke...

Yes the 10,000+ Daffodils planted throughout the golf courses just started to open today. Expect the Forsythia shrubs to bloom any day now.




These are located in the naturalized area behind #15 Green or also seen from #10 Tee looking west.