WGC Superintendent's Blog

Eagle Scout Projects (Flora & Fauna Brochures)update. And WGC "Wildlife Inventory" updates...American Wigeon & Snow Goose seen on courses..

2012-01-18T11:15:00.010-06:00

Remember to click on any picture to enlarge.

There have been two (2) new additions to the Winnetka Golf Club 'Wildlife Inventory'. If you recall, earlier this year in the May 7th Blog we posted pictures of the American Bittern (type of rail bird) sighting at #4 Pond. Well, this last fall staff members David Evanshank saw and photographed an American Wigeon feeding on duckweed with numerous Mallard Ducks at #9 Pond.

And Matt Bukovac photographed a Snow Goose at a few areas on the course. Surely these birds would have likely migrated through the course over the years, but these are the first officially documented sightings.

This would be a good time to segue into local Boy Scout Troop-20, Nick Hedge's "Eagle Scout Project". Over a year ago Nick approached the Winnetka Park District's Director of Parks & Recreation/Dr. Terry Schwartz about an idea he had for his upcoming ESP. This very time consuming project included building from scratch a dozen Eastern Bluebird houses and replacing the most dilapidated of the over 35 Bluebird houses on both golf courses. In addition a huge part is 'leading' other scouts and adults for hundreds of hours of volunteer work sighting wildlife on the course. Through the cooperation of his volunteers, Nick created a 'Wildlife Brochure' of the Winnetka Golf Club. The brochure's goal is for golfers as well as cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, and dog walkers (who utilize the golf courses in the off-season) to ultimately download and print the brochure through the WPD's website. Follow this Blog, WPD or WGC Facebook for the soon to be released 'Wildlife Brochure'.

Here is Nick Hedge (holding his brochure) and his parents (far left) with the full Winnetka Park District's Board of Commissioners. Nick was formally recognized at the January 19th board meeting.

Another Eagle Scout Project from the same local Troop-20 is also nearing completion as another brochure thus creating Flora & Fauna dual brochures. This other project will also be downloadable and has a routing map of the golf course similar to the Morton Arboretum's Map routing (one can follow the outer loop or choose additional inner loops) and provides the locations of specimen trees and groves of trees with interesting factoids. This Eagle Scout documented, categorized and measured hundreds of trees with the help of his volunteers. Many may not realize in their own backyard (aka Winnetka Golf Club) are many non-typical trees that grow and thrive in the muck-peat soils of the golf course.

Par-3 Golf Course OPEN YEAR ROUND! 18-Hole Golf Course closed for rest & recuperation.

2011-11-22T13:15:00.000-06:00

Following are several pictures taken of #14 Fairway (one of the most July flood damaged fairways) shown in a time-lapse type sequence. Feel free to click on any photo to enlarge. Recovery is right on schedule for a mid to late May full restoration, weather provided. Staff has applied plant protectants (fungicides etc.) to ALL fairways to help control any snow-mold type diseases that typically are cost prohibitive (to 25 acres) at a municipal golf course. In addition numerous light applications of fertilizer were applied throughout the Fall including a Monday November 21st application to "push" the plants coming out of Winter.

Hole #14 with thousands of Spring bulbs May 2011

#14 Fairway August 4th , one week after flood waters receded.

#14 Fairway August 26th

#14 Fairway August 29th

#14 Fairway September 1st

#14 Fairway September 6th

#14 Fairway September 12th

#14 Fairway September 20th

#14 Fairway October 6th

#14 Fairway October 11th

#14 Fairway October 31st

Uncle Buck returns to Winnetka Golf Club

The sun sets on the golf season at Winnetka Golf Club. Thank you very much for your patronage and support.

Rocky Raccoon watches for a Hummingbird Heartbeat at Winnetka Golf Club

2011-09-02T11:08:00.001-05:00

This yearling raccoon was seen climbing a newer cottonwood tree between #8 & #11 Rough.

The following video of a hummingbird feeding was shot at the cement flower planter along the main pathway to the Clubhouse (aka The Superhighway, by staff). It took several attempts over a few weeks to catch a hummingbird feeding. About halfway through the one minute video when the bird had the backdrop of the Par-3 Golf Course trees is when it is most pronounced. All three cement planters in the parking lot as well as by the #18 Green / Starter Shack were planted with the intention of catching these remarkable little birds on video. As you walk up to the Clubhouse for the next several weeks keep your eyes on these planters as the birds spook and flush when you get about 20-50 feet away. The flower of preference for the hummingbirds is the 'Black & Blue Salvia' (Salvia guarantitica) in the late summer. Please enjoy!

Winnetka Golf Club Flood Update: What & Why it happened, general assessment and what to expect moving forward.

2011-08-22T11:02:00.001-05:00

From the back of #14 Green - Day 2 of the "Great Flood of 2011".

Hole #14 two weeks post flood.

The Great Flood of 2011

What caused the substandard conditions to the Fairways & Rough at Winnetka GC?

WHAT HAPPENED:

• 7-inches of rain fell on Saturday July 23rd and an additional 2” over the next six days.
• The 18-Hole Course was completely submerged (excluding most greens and tees) for 3 to 4 days.

WHY IT HAPPENED:

• The Winnetka Golf Club’s primary function is flood relief for the community followed by recreation.
• The course takes on twice the watershed (>200 acres) than the 110 acre course.
• Thus, a typical two-inch rainstorm is equal to a four-inch storm.
• The macro-drainage system operates via 12,000 gallons-per-minute of water are pumped into the ponds from the residential area and the course itself. Only 8,000 gallons-per-minute are pumped off the property.
• Due to the extensive pond system and pumping capacity (macro-drainage), and the vast amount of surface drainage (micro-drainage), the course can typically respond similarly with other courses. This storm overwhelmed the entire system. The two supplemental drainage pumps were on line within three hours of the rain storm. These two pumps and the automated drainage pumps were operational throughout. They ran uninterrupted for nearly four days.

WHY ARE THE FAIRWAYS SO BROWN:

• Turfgrass can stay submerged for only brief periods as oxygen is essential to the root system of the plant.
• The fairway turf that was submerged 2-3 days was severely damaged and died back to the crown of the plant. Thus you may see the new shoots of green turf slowly coming back in the brown areas.
• The fairway turf that was submerged for 3-4 days has died and can be identified by the barren or muddy areas. At this point in time it is approximately 20-30% of the total 25 acres of fairway turf or about 5-8 acres has died.
• The fairway turf is cut considerably lower than the rough and subsequently is more sensitive to stress.

WHAT IS STAFF DOING TO RESTORE THE FAIRWAYS:

• Staff has already completed aeration and over seeding on most fairways.
• Fairways have been sprayed preventatively for disease control and a moderate amount of liquid fertilizer.
• As soon as the conditions firm up from last weekend's rain staff will continue the over-seeding program in to the rough. Areas that do not germinate, or are set back by excessive rain or temperatures, will be over seeded repeatedly throughout the fall and next spring as necessary.

WHAT SHOULD THE GOLFER EXPECT:

• The best recovery should take place during the temperate months of September and October.
• The re-establishment program will be ongoing until there is 100% recovery. This may take us into next spring.
• The appearance of the fairways by late October will be a good indicator of what to expect for 2012.
• By late May next year, weather permitted, fairways should be back to normal.

GENERAL ASSESSMENT:

• The best recovery and most critical influence moving forward is cooperative weather. The right climatic conditions will provide for more recovery than any money applied to labor, seed, fertilizer or chemicals.
• Heavy rainfalls, high temperatures and high humidity can set back the recovery process.
• Fortunately we are on the approaching the very best two week window (annually) to encourage successful over seeding in our climate…the end of August.
• Once this work is completed, in the future, we look forward to the fairways being better than ever as Pennlinks II is the newer variety bentgrass being used for reseeding. #10 Approach was sodded to this variety in 2007 and has done better than any other variety after a flood experience.

From #5 Green - Day 2 of the flood.

From #5 Green two weeks post flood.

One of a few new surface drainage projects initiated post flood. This is #18 Fairway where winter ice damage has been reoccurring.

Great opportunity to reseed with newest flood tolerant bentgrass "Pennlinks II". This variety was used as sod on #10 Approach in conjunction with the Rick Jacobson Renovation work in 2007. This variety has proven to be very flood tolerant after the September 2008 flood as well as last month. It also shows strong characteristics of resisting poa encroachment.


New seedlings emerging 4 days post aerating and seeding.	Yahoo!!! Click on picture to enlarge.

Par 3 GC OPEN today! 18-Hole GC to open Thursday (weather permitted).

2011-07-27T09:16:00.002-05:00

Lake Winnetka NO LONGER EXISTS as of Wednesday July 27th, 2011.
PLEASE remember you can click on any photo to enlarge.

Over 50,000,000 gallons of water were pumped off the Championship course over the last four days. This last weekend's grand total of 8.01-inches of rain left the course with a great deal of clean-up to do before opening. The primary function of the course is flood relief for the community followed by recreation. The water-shed is twice the size of this 110 acre course. Thus after a five week drought and 3.5-inches of rain in the first hour and over 5-inches in the first three hours, most all "ran-off" straight to the course. Staff acknowledges that this was the worst flood in any ones memory. This includes Don Voss who has faithfully served the golf course and park district since 1977.

Following are pictures mostly from Tuesday as the flood waters receded and exposed the huge task of cleaning up flood debris, siltation and getting the 78 sand bunkers on both courses restored. If you follow this blog ...last Sunday there was mention of an unorthodox idea on how to get walking greens mowers and staff out to all the "island greens" such as #'s 8,10,14,15,16 and 17. Staff was extremely concerned as not all of the greens had been cut since last Thursday. Damage can occur when trying to get the greens height back down in this hot & humid weather with soft conditions. The total material cost to 'construct' new boats was $90 thanks to Walmart in Arlington Heights who had the inventory we were looking for.

Following are two very brief movies...enjoy!

USS Michna leaving the 'dry-dock' from #6 Tee in route to #8 Green. The second 'ship' built by staff is the USS Gonzalez II named after a Medal of Honor recipient from the USMC who served with Ast. G.C.Supt. Mark Anderson in Viet Nam 1967-1968. The United States Navy launched the Destroyer USS Gonzalez DDG-66 in 1995. Our boats were built using three sleeved together 5-foot diameter kiddie pools. The base is reinforced by a sheet of plywood to help support the 220 pound walking greens mowers. Kudos go out to staff member's Mario Contreras and Matt Bukovac who had to not only walk in sometimes 3-foot deep water pulling the ship but then take the hip weighters off and walk mow the six greens for an additional six miles of walking AND come back to the shop for coffee and lunch breaks. Not to mention lifting in and out of the ship. Job well done men!

USS Gonzalez II just left dry dock for Lake Winnetka.

Staff Mario Contreras, Mark Anderson (master mind behind the floatilla) and Matt Bukovac.

Here Mario and Matt have just pulled in to "First Port-O-Call" #8 Green, success!!!

Cutting #8 Green as seen from #9 Tee.

#17 Sand Bunker as waters are receding.

#17 Sand bunker contaminated with silt and organic matter.

#17 Sand bunker close up showing the debris and silt layer. Please notice the clean sand exposed in front of the ball.

#1 Fairway sand bunker . Notice the high-water line 3/4ths the way up the bunker.

Great photo showing the 90+ acres of silt. Martin Acosta proudly cutting his green.

Winnetka Golf Club closed due to 7-inch rain storm!!! Course is under water as deep as three feet from bow to stern and port to starboard!

2011-07-24T08:52:00.000-05:00

Due to the flooding Winnetka Golf Club will be closed to public play until at least Thursday July 28th. Call the Proshop/Clubhouse at 847-501-2050 for updates. The Winnetka Men's Club Invitational is still under consideration but would not have gas carts out by Wednesday July 27th as scheduled. Saturday morning's 24-hour storm total storm delivered 7.06 of rain at the official Winnetka Golf Club weather station. Chicago received 6.91 Saturday breaking their closest 24- hour records of 6.49 on 8/14/1987 and 6.64 on 9/13/2008. WGC weather station recorded 3.52" in 1-hour at 1am Saturday morning. When adding the rainfall for the next two hours gives a three(3) hour total of 5.27"!!! Absolutely astonishing. Due to the course's primary function as flood relief for the community obviously there was a lot of run off from the water shed of twice the course acreage.

From #5 Green, left to right #8,6,5 and 2

Following are some pictures from Sunday July 24th 24-hours after the major storm. Once the pumps have time to do their job the course should drain down swiftly from the 1,200+ surface drains installed over the last 20 years. Staff is most concerned with getting walking greens mowers out to the furthest greens to cut and spray for disease control this week. Stay tuned as staff has some unorthodox ideas to try and get to the greens greens Monday or Tuesday. And no, canoes would not work lifting a 220 pound machine in and out of a canoe.

Standing on the front edge of #15 Green. Green has been 25% under water for 30 hours.

Looking down #15 from back of green.

From #15 Green towards #16 Tee.

Rico and Pascual refueling the pump at #14
Tee.

Hole #1.

From #8 Green, #8 on left and #6 on right side of Mertz Mountain.

Hole #10.

Hole #9.

From #10 Green. #9 on left side and #10 on right side.

Hole #11.

Standing on the dike during inspection for breaches. #14 Green and #15 Tee. BTW the yellow pull over boots staff uses no longer function in 36-inch deep water. LOL.

Hole #14 from green.

From #8 Approach looking across holes #10,15 and 16.

Storm Damage Update...Golf Course is OPEN for play!

2011-07-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

On Monday July 11th just as staff completed the morning mowing and prep work was when the squall line with 60+ mph winds ripped through the golf course causing three mature trees to topple and portions of dozens others to be damaged. As of Tuesday morning the course is open for play. Yet more clean-up for staff lies ahead; same as after the June 21st and 29th storms. As Tom Skilling said, "this was arguably the most damaging of the three storms in the last month".

The #1 Green complex opened back up for Ladies Day July 12th / Rally For The Cure Day. Please see next picture...Staff did consider creating a tunnel similar to the ones done 100 years ago to the Giant Sequoia's in Yosemite National Park.

#1 Green from the west. 80 Year old Silver Maple snapped in the storm. The debris extended halfway into the green. Sorry this is the only photo that came out due to the rain.

June 22nd storm showing the debris strewn about #1 Green complex.

Although this picture is from the June 22nd storm (Practice Putting Green) it replicates the clean-up staff now has on the docket for the next week or so.

80 Year Silver Maple tree on #11 topples over during storm.

#11 Maple looking back toward tee.

Impaled branch from the #11 Maple.

Mature apple tree #8 just north of Willow at #8 Green.

#8 Green Willow tree from #6 Fairway during storm. The tree is salvageable but one third was lost.

#8 from 100 yards during storm.

Redd Foxx Jr. keeping a watchful eye on the ever mounting wood chip pile.

Here's something you don't see everyday... Video of a Fawn nursing and a Snapping Turtle laying an egg!!!

2011-06-20T08:34:00.001-05:00

A Fawn in the #2 Rough. Please notice the yellow signs are 'only' 12-inches tall!
The Fawn bedding down as I approach. Probably a defensive move to hide. Remember to click on any picture to enlarge it.

Three days later, at sun up, I notice the Fawn in the back of the range. Not wanting to have a Fawn 'stuck' in the range as the day progresses, I attempt to flush/push it via my cart (think of the movie 'City Slickers' with a golf cart and not horses) through the range onto the course. The Fawn was actually very rambunctious, running, jumping and darting about! As we got to the Cart Barn I noticed the Doe bedding down. Knowing it's in good hands er, hoofs I left them alone. Only to come back a little latter to notice a very special moment for Bambi...the Fawn is feeding as the doe 'cleans' the Fawn. Please start the accompanying video.

Another 'not seen every day' picture and video. A moderate sized Snapping turtle laying eggs at #17.

At least the turtle is staying 'inside the ropes'. Next week staff was going to open the newly sodded area from last winter's culvert replacement project. Next, the other portion would be prepared and sodded. Needless to say staff will not sod over the eggs so when the turtles break free they do not have to burrow through the thatch layer of sod.

Please watch the following short video taken by David Evanshank / Golf Maintenance Department from his cell phone. At the 20-second mark you will see an egg suddenly drop from the turtle!

On the same day another Snapping Turtle makes his way across hole #10. Notice what appears to be leeches on his shell. Twenty years ago I attempted to 'save-a-turtle' by picking him up and getting him off the path by the Pumphouse. As I touched the very large Snapping turtle from behind, he jumped and rotated 120-degrees trying to remove my hand! Scaring the bejesus out of me...Needless to say they can take care of themselves and I will never make that mistake twice!

Neat picture from afar and close up of two Mallard Ducks who spent the night on the #14 Pond recycled PVC-wood 'duck-floats' as we call them. Notice the pictures are sequential and taken from the same angle.

Snapper Laying Eggs

Fawn Nursing

#9 Pond Organic Sediment Dredging Project

2011-05-25T13:06:00.016-05:00

For the past several years the hot set-up for "dredging" ponds and keeping the costs very low with almost no restoration impact to the course is through a newer pumping method. This system does not deepen nor reconstruct the pond. It just pumps the organic sediment that causes aquatic weed issues into a holding bag for future usage when dry. Winnetka Golf Club has just had this procedure completed yesterday prior to the 2.71-inch rain storm. The 30 year old #9 Pond for several years had become the most expensive to maintain due to algae and other aquatic weed issues. We should be able to recover the cost of dredging through product and labor savings in the next few years.

Below is the holding bag upon delivery. It is staged between two berms on the left side of the ninth hole just south of the new irrigation pump house.

The worker is grading the recent greens aeration cores to provide a level base.

Here is the bag upon initial starting of the pump operation. Notice the water flowing out of the bag into the channel staff made directing the water to a drain.

This picture is taken showing the small creek in back of #9 Green. There are two divers moving the suction hose back and forth across the bottom of the creek which gets pumped overland to the holding bag previously seen. There is another diver removing some of the larger aquatic weed matter to the shoreline.

This is a close up of the same operation.

Here we are a few days latter. There is another diver under water while this diver is assisting moving the heavy hose.

Here one can see the bag filling up with organic sediment.

This picture shows the water going in to the ditch staff dug to the closest drain.

I apologize as we have a couple of short one minute videos showing this operation but was unable to upload them. Of course then you would of had to endure my narration!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Session #2 ...What did we do over the winter break?

2011-05-16T11:58:00.015-05:00

This is the most frequently asked question to every superintendent and golf course worker. Basically from the time we "put-the-course-to-bed-for-winter" we are preparing the course for opening the next Spring. One rarely seen aspect is any large scale project that require frozen ground are then undertaken. This winter staff had budgeted and planned to replace the breached 18-inch concrete reinforced culvert pipe (with 36-inch PVC) that takes all the drainage water from the golf course pond system to #17 Pond and the main pumps at #17 along the dike. Please note, we did not increase the flow off the course. Only the efficiency of getting water to the pumps and eliminating the 'short-cycling' of the pumps as well as the breach repair were the objectives. Following are several pictures of this successful construction project accomplished during January. This also explains why the area was resodded and roped off to route cart and golfer traffic.

The proverbial "before" picture. If you double click on any picture it will enlarge. Notice the lighted construction horses (sitting on plywood) are on top of the previously exposed irrigation pipe and wires for #17 Tee. Staff exposed these in early December prior to ground freezing solid. The metal box on the right holds all the control panels and 460-volt electrical service for both pumps. Please note that the control panel was correctly installed decades earlier 'above' the flood plain.

Large tracked backhoe being offloaded from it's trailer.

Rubber tire articulated pay-loader has been offloaded onto site.

Opening day! Breaking into frozen ground. Delicately working around the previously exposed irrigation pipes and wires.

Don Voss standing next to the 'safety-box' required by OSHA for all below ground excavation. Don stands 6' 2" tall.

The steel wet-well had to have a new larger flange to connect to the larger 36-inch culvert pipe. The only way to do it correctly was to cut out the old and weld in the new piece.

Don Voss the 'patriarch' of the park district with 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the golf course stands 6'2" and is standing next to a section of the 'new' 36" PVC culvert pipe. This PVC will ensure no future breaches for the future.

New metal flange being lowered 15-feet into place 'inside' the wet-well. Hard to see but notice the tops of the two (2) green 1,500 gallon per minute pumps at bottom of picture. Obviously the pit is dry (for first time in 40 years) for the welder to operate.

Near completion looking back toward #17 Tee.

Winter pictures taken by Assistant Mark Anderson.

Staff reconnecting the irrigation lines and wires. Site is also being prepared for sod.

After picture of Hole #17 as of May 7th.

American Bittern sighting at Winnetka Golf Club

2011-05-07T08:38:00.004-05:00

Although common to Chicagoland the American Bittern is hard to find due to their ability to blend in with the natural surroundings as seen in the following pictures. They belong to the same family as Herons(Ardeidae). Ardeidae's are wadding birds with long necks and stalk food in shallow water. When alarmed Bittern's freeze with bill pointing up. Apparently he knew he would be posted to this Blog and wanted to give us his 'good side' portrait!

This Bittern was photographed at the Pond in back of #4 Green.

From this angle notice the birds ability to camouflage into the surrounding grasses.

Question & Answer Session #1

2011-04-30T07:48:00.008-05:00

Morning picture of the Bald Cypress trees between #4 Fairway and #7 Green.
QUESTION: What are those piles of sand doing near the sand bunkers?
ANSWER: Due to the frequent rains this last week staff was not able to use the utility carts to haul the sand edging spoils to our dumps. Utilizing this procedure staff was able to perform a very important periodic maintenance practice. Weather permitted they will all be gone early next week.

Notice the nice clean edge on the low-side entrance to the bunker.

Sort of a neat picture catching Adolfo tossing the root/turf infested sand into the Clubcar.

QUESTION: What are those lines of soil near #5 & #10 Greens?
ANSWER: During last year's stressful growing season staff detected roots from the Cottonwood and Willow trees near those greens had tree roots all the way into the greens! This competition depleted nutrients and moisture to the greens. Staff dug down 30-inches to clay and vertically installed a herbicide impregnated fabric designed specifically for this type of issue.

QUESTION: And what are they going to do with them?
ANSWER: When the back-filled soil dries staff will prep the areas level and resod.

Winnetka Mens Golf Club Spring Dinner - TONIGHT 6:30pm at the "Happ Inn" in Northfield

2011-04-14T09:27:00.002-05:00

The Winnetka Mens Golf Club is having their Spring Opening Dinner tonight at the Happ Inn 6:30pm. The Golf Professional Staff and Golf Course Superintendent will be in attendance and just may be allowed to address the club. Tonight's raffle will have a special keepsake from the maintenance department for the lucky winner! Also there is a special guest who will be speaking on golf ball fitting.

The first of over 10,000 spring bulbs are starting to open at the Winnetka Golf Club.

Yes can you tell we have 'new' camera for 2011? Perhaps now we can get some great pictures of the elusive Wood Ducks migrating through as well as better close up shots as evidenced in the above photo.

Masters opening round today cancelled due to snow (April's Fool)...HUGE GOLF DISCOUNT @ Winnetka 'National' GC-Today ONLY!... Coincidence I think not!

2011-04-07T10:20:00.007-05:00

Seriously this picture is of Augusta National, but from last February.

PLEASE check out this link for a very special offer by Winnetka "National" Golf Club, TODAY ONLY!!!

http://www.facebook.com/winnetkagolfclub#!/photo.php?fbid=10150203793629254&set=a.307909039253.181901.291193084253&theater

VIP REVISION ...CARTS ARE RUNNING!!! Winnetka Golf Club to "OPEN" Thursday March 17th 8am!!!

2011-03-15T09:44:00.012-05:00

VIP-REVISION TO YESTERDAY'S BLOG !!! CARTS WILL BE RUNNING!!!Yes, the 18-Hole Championship Golf Course scheduled opening has been 'moved up eight days' to St. Patrick's Day. Staff has been able top get out on the course starting today 3/15/2010. Once we can get the greens cleared of debris, rolled, cut and cups installed we shall open the course for play. This will be the second earliest opening in the last twenty plus seasons. Only March (14th) in 2000 was opened earlier. Please call the Clubhouse at 847-501-2050 if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Enjoy some pictures from last season.

Long lost July 22nd Blog recently found...check out these pictures to wet your appetite for the upcoming golf season.

2011-02-28T11:57:00.004-06:00

PLEASE NOTE: This blog-post was drafted on the same day as the (7-22-10)WGC National Orchard blog-post. Then, less than two days later the course was inundated with 4.12-inches of rain and changed all plans...Please enjoy the following never-before-seen pictures from last season. Tomorrow is March 1st, just four weeks away from the traditional 'targeted' opening day (weather permitted) of the last Friday in March!!! Enjoy.

Notice the adult Bluebird on nesting box. Please double click to enlarge the picture.

Newborn Bluebird babies, notice in the background an egg starting to hatch. This is yet another successful Bluebird box located at #11 Approach Pond on the #14 side.

Deer browsing near #9 Bridge flower boxes.

Red-Tailed Hawk early morning next to #14 Green along the dike with some breakfast.

Lotus Pond looking from #13 Tee across pond to #12 Green.

An unidentified frog (Spring Peeper?) on Lotus leaf in center of picture. Can anyone help identify frogs please call 847-501-2056. Thank you.

Bee buzzing the Lotus plant looking for nectar.

Back in November, was that a Redd Foxx Sighting at Winnetka Golf Club ?!!!

2011-01-18T08:00:00.024-06:00

Seriously the Red Fox has returned to Winnetka Golf Club. Sorry not the Chicago raised comedian/actor who passed away in 1991. I couldn't resist the plug for one of my all time favorite comedian/actors and sitcom shows. Actually Redd Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford hence the name of his six season long sitcom. His mother was half Seminole, his hair was reddish, thus his nickname.

Until last year staff has not seen any Red Fox since 1991 when the Coyotes moved in.

Carts er, 'Fox on Paths Only' at #2 Tee. Notice the golf carts at the tee and #5 Fairway. REMEMBER you can double click on any picture to enlarge.

Not sure if Fox is feeding or drinking water. Notice the golfers on #2 Fairway.

Between Holes #2 & #5. Fox scratching an itch as the ducks swim by.

Red Fox sitting as sentry to the course.

Red Fox on the Driving Range in October.

Now for some fall pictures not previously posted.
#17 Green Sweet Gum tree.

#10 White Ash.

Clubhouse & #1 Tee Flowers.

#2 Bridge & Pond.

Your "2010 Golf Maintenance Team".

ONLY 65 more days until our scheduled opening date of March 25th, weather permitting. Only once since 1996 have we had to delay opening into April!!!

As a Chicago Bear was quoted about playing the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Championship, immediately following the Seattle Seahawks game, "CAN'T WAIT"!!!

PLEASE help with our "French's Mustard Container Drive 2010-2011"

2010-12-21T11:24:00.008-06:00

The "French's Mustard Container Drive 2010-2011" is moving along at a great pace! Getting closer to our goal of 100 bottles by April 1st. The Winnetka Golf Club Maintenance Staff would like to send a big THANK YOU out to all the family's whose mustard bottles were at the end of the containers useful life span. We understand that this is a process. It may take several months for people to use a 14 oz. bottle. We are prepared to wait...and wait...and wait. The golf course will always have a need for bottles for years to come. As we go through the Holiday Season please remember to use as much mustard as your family can handle in your cooking.

Feel free to put your name on your donation so staff can personally thank you next season. This will confirm your donation for next tax season.

Mustard bottles can be dropped off Tuesday through Sunday at the Winnetka Golf Club-Clubhouse located at 1300 Oak Street.

Veterans Day-Post

2010-11-10T08:50:00.013-06:00

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” On October 8th 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation". November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

We wish to honor all military personal past and present in commemorating this years Veterans Day. Coincidentally we have had three United States Marine Corps veterans from three distinctly different eras employed on the golf maintenance department over the last few decades. Unfortunately, Gil Schmidt the former Chief of the Winnetka Fire Department (during the 1970's) who was employed by the park district for 22 years until retiring in Fall of 2006 at the age of 82 had recently passed in Spring 2010 from a long battle with cancer. Gil proudly served our country during World War II in the Pacific, seeing combat throughout the "Gilbert Island Campaign" with some well known battles made into movies such as "Tarawa".

Mark Anderson, (Asst.GC Supt./Drainage Specialist) proudly served his country during a more tumultuous period in our history. He served with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division from 1966-1969 attaining the rank of Corporal. Mark was "in the Nam" from July 1967 to August 1968. He was involved in numerous battles such as the Tet Offensive/Hue City, Khe Sahn, Phu Bi, Con Thien etc. Following is the cover of the recently published book "Lions of Medina" by Doyle Glass. Mark figures prominently in the book if anyone is into history or wants to learn about a three day operation where fighting was measured in feet, not miles or meters.

Our most recent former Marine is David Evanshank who has been employed since Spring 2007. David came on board just in time for the GC renovation and was instrumental with the new irrigation system installation. He wears numerous hats, some of which are Irrigation Technician, Spray Tech and Mechanic, responsible for all 90 actual reel-type cutting units/mowers and assists Rico Contreras/Lead Mechanic with other equipment repairs. David served from August 2000 to August 2005 with the 3rd Marine Air Wing attaining the rank of Sergeant. He proudly served in the North Arabian Sea during "Operation Enduring Freedom" immediately following 9-11.

Below is an S3 Viking about to land on the USS John C. Stennis.
THANK YOU, to these fine men and all the men and women who have served our country.

The following two video's were taken by David during deployment to the North Arabian Sea for "Operation Enduring Freedom" on the flight deck of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). The first is a sonic boom during an approved flyover. The second is a F/A-18 landing; one of the jets David was a mechanic on.

Wanted Dead or Alive...mustard containers that is!!!

2010-11-04T09:55:00.004-05:00

This unusual request for used French's Mustard containers (size 14 ounce and larger) can help us maintain your greens at Winnetka Golf Club. Every day the greensmower operators head out for their 5-mile walk in the 3 hours allocated for morning preparatory work. The mowing of "their" four (4) greens every day is only a portion of each operators morning task. They have a 50-penny nail and a special ballmark tool with one-inch long spikes, that in the hands a skilled individual can repair most any type of ballmark. They also bring with them two or three mustard bottles of green colored sand mixed with SR1119 Bentgrass seed to 'topdress' every ballmark and assist in filling any voids. These mustard containers take a beating and need to be replaced every few months. My family has asked for a moratorium on eating any more mustard... thus this unusual request during the upcoming off season. Thank you in advance. Mustard bottles can be dropped off at the Winnetka Golf Club -Clubhouse located at 1300 Oak Street.

Large-Tine Aeration and Sand Topdressing progressing great!!! Two more greens left to do on Thusday 10/28/10.

2010-10-27T11:41:00.018-05:00

Staff aerating #15 Green and shoveling the sand topdressing across the green, filling every single hole 9-10"deep with sand. The goal is to increase water percolation and gas exchange for winter and next season. The objective is to provide firmer and even better greens for next year.

Staff finished eight greens on Monday October 25th. After a rain day on Tuesday and relegated to finishing the sand installation on Par-3 GC #8 Sand Bunker it was back to the "deep-tine aeration' on Wednesday. Ideal conditions (lack of dew) from the strong winds allowed staff to hit the greens at sun up. Eight more were completed today. Greens #10 and #14 will be completed on Thursday. The large Practice Putting Green was done one week earlier if you wish to compare the recovery. This aggressive cultural procedure was implemented (per U.S.G.A. recommendation) from Fall of 1993 to Spring of 1998 and allowed for the greens to play at the level seen this last decade or so. Staff will assess the greens next season and respond to their needs accordingly.

Arturo our main equipment operator with a ruler showing the 9 1/2" depth the tines penetrate.

Close up showing the 7/8" diameter aeration tine and the 9 1/2" depth as seen by the soil at top of tine.

Staff on #6 Green. Please notice Alberto "hamm-ing-it-up" as he fixes his hair for the camera! He is the orange coat in the middle. Double click on picture for close up.

Move over turtles, 'Uncle Buck' is here!

2010-10-20T13:05:00.016-05:00

After not seeing a single buck...Wham! Three show up on Hole #18 with the largest being a 10-pointer and the others following his lead were 6-point young bucks. Staff also saw, but was not able to get a decent picture of a doe last month that appeared every bit as large as this buck. 10-Point bucks are typically seen here every two or three years. Remember you can click on the picture (up to twice) to enlarge the view.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)/ Autumn Blaze cultivar Hole #10.
Yes, this variety is also suspect to the European Ash Borer aka EAB. The top 25 ash trees (including those pictured here) at Winnetka Golf Club are treated preventativly (in-house) for this borer, alternating years of injection and soil drench treatments.

My apologies to any and all loyal followers for not blogging once the weather dried up in early September. No excuse is good enough, but my priority was to get as much turfgrass recovery going once the weather cooled off. With not much rainfall these last several weeks, more than usual time was allocated to being on the course. Thank you for following this blog all season. Stay tuned as more posts are soon to follow...

When the turtles broke free...

2010-08-25T11:31:00.006-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of the baby Snapping Turtle(s) as we find them daily (this week) in the bunker on #12. Staff moves the babies to the pond to ensure the best possible chance of survival. Please note the incubation was over 80+ days...unless more than one turtle layed eggs!?!

Here is the picture of the Snapping Turtle laying her eggs in the #12 Green-side Sand Bunker on May 27th. Please see the June 9th blog!

Ruthless 'er Rootless summer for cool season grasses!!!

2010-08-15T08:56:00.010-05:00

Some of the greens are starting to show mostly physiological stress from this season's challenging weather conditions. Today's blog is intended to give a brief explanation as to why and what is happening and what staff has been doing to keep the turf alive to this point and what corrective measures/plans are in place for the quickest recovery...University studies have documented that cool-season grasses such as bentgrass and poa have root mass loss when soil temperatures hit 80-degrees and 72-degrees respectively. When roots die back the plant no longer produces carbohydrates (fuel) while respiration (similar to people sweating) continues to cool the plant. An analogy would be fill your car up with gas and drive until it runs out of gas.

In 2010 we have had more 70-degree nights than any year since 1959. Soil temperatures basically follow the night time or low daily temperatures. July into August set a new record for consecutive days of 80-degrees or above. Near record rains in June and July further damaged root systems.

The greens at WGC have a history of poor subsurface drainage that can be managed to provide a near private club level putting surface (traffic notwithstanding) most every season. Hand watering has been the norm in July so as to not over water. This is critical until the green dries enough to use the sprinklers. Staff has utilized our 'Toro Procore 648' (the best greens aerator in the world) since mid July "venting" or solid-tine aeration to punch tiny holes (smaller than a pencil) and provide increased gas exchange as the July wet weather came around. This procedure has been ongoing with an average of three greens per day being vented providing from 50,000 to 60,000 holes per green. As most green's root system is only an inch or two deep staff has been concentrating sustaining and recovery methods in this zone.

#5 Green with Brown Patch/Rhizoctonia solani disease due to breakthrough from preventative fungicide spray program. Breakthrough was caused by application and equipment issues and exacerbated by these recent prolonged hot and very humid conditions. Greens #12 and #13 which have performed the strongest until last week have slight damage from a fertilizer burn due to the spray gun sticking at times.

#16 Green also with Brown Patch. When climatic conditions change the turfgrass will grow out and through the diseased spots.

Staff will continue venting the greens on a 7-10 day rotation and use prudent hand watering and sprinkler methodology until greens fully recover. Once weather conditions break and return to normal (or below normal for a week or two) from these high temperatures and high humidity the turfgrass should recover just fine in a few weeks. WGC has a 1/3 acre bentgrass Nursery Green that will be utilized once the weather pattern changes and the greens show what recovery is left in their reserves'. This situation brings staff a great opportunity to introduce much newer varieties of bentgrass through seeding and plugging than the varieties these greens were sodded to over twenty plus years ago. Since the technology boom of the 1980's and 90's university turfgrass genetics and plant breeding made tremendous advances. #15 Green has direct evidence built into it. In 2008 the first (and only to date) drain line was installed from the front left of the green to the back right side basically following the swale of the green. Sod from the Nursery Green was used on the drain line. The stronger, much greener turf is easy to see every day if you just look from northeast to southwest as you approach the green.

Winnetka OPEN today Sunday July 25th less than 24 hours after 4.12" rain!!!

2010-07-25T06:32:00.014-05:00

Winnetka Golf Club takes over twice the acreage of storm water than the course itself. The primary function of the course is flood relief for the community followed by recreation. All greens were cut and rolled today. Sorry the gas carts are not running today.
Hole #1

Hole #5

Hole #9

Hole #15

Hole #16

Hole #18

Winnetka GC has 4.1" of rain in the official raingauge & why lightning should be respected!

2010-07-24T08:35:00.012-05:00

Rico playing lumberjack on #7 Tee.
An Ash tree along the path from the old halfway house to #7 Green took a direct lightning hit last night. Splintering into hundreds of pieces some over 50 lbs. and thrown 175 feet. The debris (2 lbs. piece not in any photos) furthest located was 200 feet away on #4 Fairway!

#12 Tee showing the largest splinter and an impaled splinter.

Rico holding up the 80 lbs. largest splinter.

#12 Tee impaled splinter.

Close up #12 Tee impaled.

Debris #4 Fairway over 200-feet away!

Rico with longest splinter in #7 Fairway

Rico next to Ash tree.

Make sure to check in Sunday morning with the Pro Shop 847-501-2050 to see if the course drains down and can be opened for play. Carts will not be running on Sunday if course is open.

Winnetka National has a Fruit Orchard?!? AND why is #18 Pond orange???

2010-07-22T11:49:00.012-05:00

#18 Pond has an orange color...why?

The pollen from the Hawthorne Tree is the reason. This a natural phenomenon and nothing is wrong.

The Winnetka National Orchard located adjacent to the Nursery Green and between #16 Tee complex and the #17 Hole. There are four (4) Apple Trees, three (3) Peach Trees, and also a Pear and Plum Tree. We used to have six assorted (sweet & sour) Cherry Trees but those were lost during the Great Flood of September 2008. The fruit is all edible and we have never sprayed any plant protectants (pesticides) opting for a natural approach. Just make sure to beat the deer to the apples as they push against the fence!

Peach Fruit

Pear Fruit

Apple Fruit

More Apple Fruit

Bluebird Update...Great news!!!

2010-06-26T07:11:00.010-05:00

A good comprehensive Bluebird book with some great pictures of these beautiful songbirds.

Winnetka Golf Club manages 32 Bluebird nesting boxes. This season there have been nine boxes used by the Tree Swallows which are another desirable bird species. Presently there are four active boxes occupied by bluebirds. The slightly hidden box at the yellow traffic post entrance/Par-3 GC #5Tee has babies ready to fledge. The box just past the #14 Tee berm on the left side next to the pond has four eggs being incubated. #2 Rough left hand side has babies only a few days behind the #11 Tee box that has been highlighted in these last two blogs. This is the most successful year since the West Nile Virus (2003+) decimated the bird population. Hardest hit were the Chickadees, Crows and Bluebirds. The bluebirds will have a second ands sometimes third clutch of babies in any season before fall. The offspring from previous clutches will frequently help the parents in feeding the young insuring success.

Bluebirds at #11 Tee 4-6 days old. This photo caught one baby instinctively opening its' mouth for food. Sorry the picture only uploads sideways on the blog!

Bluebirds at #11 Tee now 6-8 days old. The box will be monitored daily, but we will no longer open, so they don't prematurely jump out of the box. All four look healthy and should fledge latter next week.

Approximately 50 mealworms are left daily for the parents to feed their babies. Mealworms are typically used by anglers for fish bait.

A Wrens nest with babies near #18 Green. Notice the nest is predominately sticks and stems.

Old 33-vinyl-LP of George Wettling's (Blues) Allstars found at a garage sale was a 'must buy' for a quarter just for the picture!

ATTENTION Bluebird watchers!!! Two nest boxes with eggs #2 Rough (west side) & #11 Tee complex

2010-06-18T09:26:00.010-05:00

Please comply with signage and please use common sense to avoid hitting box.

Bluebird box at #11 Tee cart path.

Four eggs during incubation that typically takes 10-12 days.

2-Day old babies. All plump and healthy balls of peach-fuzz type feathers. Notice the beaks by the yellow line. When opening the box at this stage they instinctively raise and open their mouths. Took a few pictures to get one in focus thus they knew I was not their parent and layed still. Bluebirds have made a huge comeback over the last few decades from people actively monitoring their nesting boxes. Staff is a long time member with the BRAW- Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin.

The first few days the parents feed the babies fruit. The Serviceberry shrubs intentionally planted throughout the course are a primary fruit used by the Bluebirds. This photo shows a mass planting of serviceberries in spring bloom to the west of #10 Tee/back of #15 Green. Watch for bluebirds picking fruit here and at #7 Tee hedgerow.

Close-up of the edible fruit. The berries are ripe when dark blue or purple and taste very similar to blueberries. Please stay tuned to the plight of our new born bluebirds on the next blog. English House Sparrows and extreme weather are the two major hurdles for these babies to clear before they fledge in 12-14 days.

Talk about a "Fried-Egg Lie", wildflowers and a GOOD Blackhawk omen for game-6 tonight!!!

2010-06-09T12:32:00.001-05:00

Close-up of Snapping Turtle laying eggs in the #12 Green Sand Bunker. Please note when she was done, we covered up the hole and staff watches daily for activity.

Another 'Snapper' laying eggs..."believe-it-or-not" in the front bank of #14 Tee.

Dames Rockets growing near #14 Green. They can also be found throughout the dike on Holes #14-16-17-18 as well as the wildflower berms on #13.

The "official Winnetka Golf Club rain gauge" total from yesterday...the day before Lord Stanley's Cup is present in Philadelphia for game 6 tonight...was .61-inches of rain. The last time the Blackhawks brought the cup home...1961 !!! Let's Go Hawks!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Chicago Trivia and Da Hawks!

2010-05-29T07:32:00.010-05:00

Memorial Day is a national holiday to remember/commemorate the loss of American lives in war. The Memorial Day observance started right after the Civil War in several cities around the country. Carbondale Illinois was considered to be the first, started by General Black-Jack Logan. I am fortunate to have spent quite a bit of time in Southern Illinois and here are pictures from that exact cemetery. Double click on the picture to enlarge for your reading pleasure.

OK, here is a bit of trivia...In what "CITY" of the Union (North) are there more Confederate dead buried in, than any "STATE" (think of Pennsylvania/Gettysburg) outside of the Confederacy (South)???

Yes, this great metro we live in Chicago! When General Grant started his campaign south along the Mississippi River the prisoners where sent back to Camp Douglass. Then a training camp for the Union located at 32nd and Cottage Grove. As they were not well taken care of, living in pine shacks, many without shoes, thousands succumbed to our harsh winters... The following pictures are from Oak Woods Cemetery located at 67th and Cottage Grove where over 6,000 Confederate dead are buried in a mass grave.

As we spend quality time with our friends and families this weekend please remember we might be witnessing some new history in the making... the return of Lord Stanley's Cup to Chicago. Its' nature certainly is not of the ultimate price our brave military heroes have paid in the past and present. But it is about a game called 'Hockey' that lets us escape from the rigors of life for entertainment purposes. Sorry for the rant on hockey but I admire the athletes as they appear to act as the least 'entitled' in all of pro sports. By the way, the last time the Cup was hoisted by our Blackhawks I was just a few months old and don't remember it all too well. Oh ya, the TV 'back in the day' was black and white!

Following is a picture from my cell phone as the Hawks beat San Jose 3-2 in OT on Dustin Byfuglien's goal in OT last Friday night. LET'S GO HAWKS!!!

How to correctly fill a divot (and more importantly how NOT to fill a divot).

2010-05-17T10:20:00.010-05:00

Below is a perfectly filled fairway divot using the seed & soil mix. The objective is to provide a smooth surface (in case a ball lands in it) with one-half inch of room for the turfgrass plant to grow.

(Below)This is not only the wrong way but is very detrimental to the mowers. The soil mix has sand which dulls the mowers blades which in turn are costly to repair or service. The old adage that if a little is good, then more is better, actually costs money!

THANK YOU very much for reading this important blog today!

Winnetka Golf Club OPEN on Monday mornings all season this year!

2010-05-17T08:12:00.007-05:00

New for the 2010 Golf Season, both golf courses will open at 7 am. In the past the courses were closed until 11 am on Monday mornings during the spring (April/May) and fall (Sept./Oct./Nov). As always please call the golf shop for updates at 847-501-2050. The first person to name the location of this picture of Phlox will receive two free range tokens. You must answer through this blog's comment section.
Thank you!

FRIDAY May 14th Golf Courses OPEN !!!

2010-05-14T07:06:00.009-05:00

Both golf courses are OPEN today as of 7am. There are no gas carts running as there is a fair amount of casual water from the 2.28" of rain Thursday morning. Staff will be working 'in-play' areas throughout the day cleaning up clipping debris on fairways and restoring the few sand bunkers that may have washed down. PLEASE be careful and yell " FOUR" before hitting near staff. Thank you very much!

Red Eared Slider Turtle was seen earlier sunning at #2 Tee.

Red Tail Hawk is in middle of tree. Double click picture to enlarge.

Flowering crabapples near #7 Tee.

Old Halfway House crabapples.

Hole #7 Winnetka National-North Course (as labeled by resident Golf Professional Dan Leonard).

Winnetka Women's Golf Club Spring Banquet & a few Mother's Day factoids

2010-05-09T06:27:00.006-05:00

On Tuesday, May 4th the Winnetka Women's Golf Club kicked-off their new 2010 Season with spectacular weather to play golf during the day followed with an evening banquet at Hackney's.

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A good time was had by all 50 people in attendance (including the male 'crasher' who near the end of the festivities attempted to serenade the room of women). The WWGC was offered the same contest (as WMGC) to name the golf course and hole number used on this blogs profile page. Upon seeing the photo, in a near chorus of a response many said Torrey Pines Golf Course. Now all we need for a winner to the coveted prize of a totally free round of golf for a guest is to name the hole number. For the enormous amount of new WWGC blog followers here is a clue: Back nine only. Not Hole #18.

MOTHERS DAY Factoid/History:
First attempts to establish a "Mother's Day" in the U.S. was mostly marked by a group of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. There were several local celebrations in the 1870s and the 1880s, but none achieved resonance beyond the local level.

In 1868 Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" whose purpose was "to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War", and she wanted to expand it into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular.

Holiday establishment
In its present form, Mother's Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, following the death of her mother Ann Jarvis on May 9, 1905, with the help of a Philadelphia merchant called John Wanamaker. A small service was held in May 12, 1907 in the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Anna's mother had been teaching Sunday school. But the first "official" service was in May 10, 1908 in the same church.

The holiday was declared officially by the state of West Virginia in 1910, and the rest of states followed quickly. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and requesting a proclamation. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation, declaring the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.

In 1934, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved a stamp commemorating the holiday.

Carnations
Carnations have come to represent Mother's Day, since Anna Jarvis delivered 500 of them at its first celebration in 1908.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all!

WINNER-WINNER Chicken Dinner!!! Critically acclaimed contest won by "Winnetka Men's Club Member" Dave Johnson!

2010-05-01T07:23:00.008-05:00

Yes, the contest to be the first WMGC member to name the 'golf course and hole' on this blog's profile picture was solved this morning. Due to the secrecy of this contest to win the much coveted "free" round of golf to bring a friend out to Winnetka, we can not disclose the correct answer at this time.

The Winnetka Women's Golf Club league kicks off their season this Tuesday and the same contest will be offered that night at the WWGC Spring Banquet. Follow this blog for the correct answer and the WWGC contest winner next weekend.

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

2010-04-28T12:19:00.005-05:00

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...

2010-04-24T06:51:00.014-05:00

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.

2010-04-21T13:17:00.004-05:00

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)

2010-04-15T13:04:00.006-05:00

#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!

2010-04-10T07:56:00.009-05:00

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?

2010-04-07T08:13:00.009-05:00

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...

2010-04-01T13:48:00.004-05:00

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.

Come on down...Your CHARIOT awaits !!!

2010-03-30T10:45:00.006-05:00

The Chariots are running at Winnetka Golf Club.

Enjoy the record weather this week.
Play your first round of golf before Tiger does.

Have you seen next week's weather ?!!! Saturday am NO FROST, 34-degrees but there is a breeze. Come on out, 49-degree forecast.

2010-03-27T06:59:00.005-05:00

Next week's string of 70-degree temperatures are weeks ahead of normal!

18-Hole Championship Golf Course to OPEN 10 am Thursday March 25th

2010-03-23T12:06:00.004-05:00

18-Hole Championship Golf Course to OPEN 10 am Thursday March 25th.

Yes, the snow is almost gone, time to play golf !!! Unfortunately the gas carts will not be running throughout the weekend.

18-Hole Championship Golf Course on schedule to open Friday March 26th OR SOONER !!!

2010-03-22T10:18:00.014-05:00

#18 Green looking down fairway

Staff was only two days away from opening, prior to last week's wet-snow fall. Once the snow melts and the precipitation (.53") from last weekend soaks in, staff can resume the preparatory work on the course. Please follow this blog or contact the Clubhouse at 847-501-2050 for the most up to date information. Remember the Par-3 Golf Course is open year round.

Day 3 Captain's Log: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T09:08:00.002-05:00

With any "LUCK" and provided the weather holds up, Winnetka Golf Club is on schedule to open by Friday March 26th. After the first 60-degree weather since December the snow is almost gone and frost is just about out of the ground. Staff has finally been able to get limited access with equipment onto the course to prepare for opening.

If Tom Skilling's snow and rain avoid Winnetka this weekend it is possible we can open sooner...Please continue to follow this blog for updates or contact the Clubhouse at 847-501-2050.

Day 2 Captain's Log: ICE Removal from select greens due to prolonged ice cover by February 17th, 2010.

2010-03-08T11:23:00.000-06:00

First the snow is removed down to the ice layer. Staff is wearing ice-cleats for traction. Note a 'check-plot' is left to assess the benefit of this procedure.

Next the 3-inch ice layer is fractured by the old greens aerator. Note some residual blue-dye in the ice from the previous week's experiment.

Staff is shoveling off the fractured ice revealing the finished product on the large Practice Putting Green. This area is suspect to ice damage from the winter shade of the mature oak trees. A temporary drain was installed 'in the green' during December due to this history.

Day 1 Captain's Log - Building The Blog

2010-03-04T12:34:00.000-06:00

Anyone out there? Today we set up the blog. Greens are stimping today at over 15-feet, probably due to the snow and ice (does that help you Will T. - see http://www.facebook.com/winnetkagolfclub).

More to follow shortly . . .