Broken Tee Boxes and Unbroken Tees

As part of our weekly routine here at Willow Ridge grounds crew we clean out the broken tee boxes that are located next to each set of tee markers. Through some observation we have noticed that a lot of the tees we are collecting are not broken at all. In fact, between 30-50% of the tees we collect are in perfect shape. There are also countless tees left in the tee surface ready to place a ball on top.

We urge everybody to clean up their broken tees, and take the good ones on to the next hole with you.

Pond Maintenance

Ducks and algae seen at the pond by the 6th green

The water features here at Willow Ridge stretch across the entire course with eleven of our eighteen holes having a water feature or very close to water. Keeping the ponds clean and properly maintained keeps the course looking complete and well kept. The aesthetic features waterways offer, as well as their ability to turn an easy hole into a challenging hole are what make them so important.

Water feature from the red tee on the 4th hole

In the past we have tried to keep up with pond maintenance with varying levels of success. This year we have enlisted the help of a pond maintenance company, and together came up with a maintenance schedule to treat the ponds. These treatments help to make the ponds more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Monthly treatments to reduce the presence of algae and aquatic weed pressure work by limiting how far light can penetrate the water. Reducing the amount of sunlight in the ponds helps to give them a deep color. We have purchased grass carp, these freshwater herbivorous fish feed exclusively on aquatic weeds. They are a great environmentally friendly way to limit aquatic weeds while also increasing biodiversity.

The aquatic plants seen growing around the pond banks are maintained as a buffer zone. These areas of tall vegetation help to catch surface water and subsurface flow containing nutrients. Without these buffer zones, the nutrients will reach the water more easily and can cause increase instances of algal blooms.

Buffer zone visible to the right of the 16th green

The ponds and streams provide habitat for many different types of local wildlife. There are multiple species of fish, turtles, frogs and birds that all use the ponds as a means for survival. Snapping turtles and eastern painted turtles can be seen bathing in the sun on warm afternoons, an egret patiently waits for a passing meal while an osprey circles overhead looking for its next meal. Mallards can be seen diving for food as the barn swallows swoop around for insects just over the surface of the water. The list goes on and on, the water features at Willow Ridge are home to a wide variety of wild life. Having well maintained ponds not only provide a better overall look of the course, but they draw in unsuspecting wildlife. Who knows, you may even see a bald eagle.

Bald Eagle seen over the winter at Willow Ridge CC

Aeration Holes, Shrub Additions, and Pin Placements

The aeration holes are filled in 100% and the greens are smoother and truer than earlier in the season. We here at the maintenance facility want to thank you for your patience through this critical cultural practice. I'd like to reiterate the importance of aeration again to stress just how important this is to the success of our golf course. One often overlooked aspect of aeration is improved water percolation through the soil surface. The channels created from aeration help to move water off the surface of the putting green and into the soil, improving drainage and providing a healthier growing environment for the turf. Another critical reason for aeration is the removal of organic matter which helps to keep the greens firm and provide a better roll for the ball. If the organic matter was allowed to build up the greens would play slower and feel spongy. Keeping up with the proper amount of aeration should be as important to the golfers as it is to us.

A cross cut of an aerification hole showing clean sand devoid of organic matter

Annuals planted oustide the clubhouse by the 18th and 9th greens

Our annual flower beds have been planted across the course, and we have planted some new shrubs. Behind the thirteenth green are three new flowering Viburnums(Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum). This is an aesthetic touch in order to improve the backdrop of the thirteenth hole. After the harsh winter, some of the boxwoods(Buxus) along the cart path at the first tee failed to fully recover. The worst of the bunch were pulled and replaced to keep the uniform look. Having nice ornamentals enhanced the beauty of the golf course.

Three new doublefile Viburnums behind the 13th green. 

Just this year we have implemented a new technique for pin placement. This involved breaking the greens up into individual zones containing multiple pin placements each. On some of the greens this proved to be very difficult, notably the 3rd, 8th, 9th, and 15th holes have limited pin placements either because of their smaller size, large swales and/or aggressive ridges. This can be seen in the photos below by the shaded areas, while the labeled sections are available for pin positions. Some of the designated zones are more difficult than others from a playability standpoint as well as the
management side. In order to determine these areas that are out of play we use a maximum slope of 2.7 degrees. This number was developed with help from USGA references comparing greens speed to maximum allowed slope. This method allows us to ensure that every pin placement is in a fair location.

Pin Placement Guide for Front 9

Pin Placement Guide for Back 9