Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and a great start to 2015. The last time I posted we thought the snow was here for good and it wasn't even Thanksgiving. However, old man winter took a month off and we were able to get a lot of things done that we normally can't do in December. We planted just under 3000 tulip bulbs in the front circle and a few hundred more down around the pro shop, so there should be plenty of color come spring time. Tree work continued as long as the wind was low enough to allow work. We were also able to finish both topdressing and running the Verti-quake over fairways. An irrigation system audit was completed, which will allow us to more efficiently water, and we put moisture meters in three of the greens, which will give us a better understanding of what's going on in the greens.

The moisture meters should be a pretty good tool for us next year. We put one each in #9, #18 and the practice green. The meter records moisture levels, soil temperature and a few other measurements and sends them to a base station that is hooked up to the internet so that we can look at real time data. The meters only send a signal 500 yards, so that is why all three of the meters are so close to the clubhouse. This will help us increase water efficiency, anticipate when seed-head germination will be and give us an idea of when disease pressure may be developing. This is our first year using it, so I'm sure there will be some bugs, but once we get it figured out it should improve our efficiency.

Moisture meter. It gives readings from the upper and lower prongs so we can see how much variation there is at different depths.

Tulip-bonanza.

We've also started harassing geese again, so you may see me or Mark driving around and shooting the bird banger. We don't start shooting them until after 10am to avoid bothering anyone too early in the morning. I hope everyone has a great start to 2015!

Ian