PINNACLE PEAK COUNTRY CLUB

2011-06-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

Summertime Projects at the Peak

This time of year play starts to slow down which makes it a perfect time for us to make much needed improvements to the golf course with little disruption to play. This year we are focusing on three major aspects to enhance and revitalize the golf course. First, being the re-leveling of tees that have become un-level over time due to mechanical traffic and natural settling around the edges. Second, restoring select areas in the roughs and fairways that have settled out creating a sunken effect. Third, the re-sealing of #8 lake, installing lake transfer line, and improving the water feature. Both the re-leveling of tees and sunken areas will be done in-house giving us a substantial cost savings. The third project will be contracted to a reputable golf course construction company.

Naturally over time, tee tops become un-level due to mechanical traffic around the edges. Our plan is to strip the grass off the tee top and a few feet down the tee bank, restore the tee back to a level playing surface while making sure the bank ties in with the top, and re-sodding it. Currently we are in the process of re-leveling #2 green and black tees, #4 black tee, #12 black and blue tees. Although we may not be able to level all the tees this summer, we have evaluated and prioritized the tees that are most important. We are coordinating our schedule with the golf shop if you have any further inquires as to which tees will not be in use during your round.

Our second project involves fixing sunken areas in the rough and fairways. These sunken areas were caused by natural settling of underlying soils since the course renovation in 1996. We have identified a half dozen locations which we will remove the grass, back fill dirt to its original level, fine grade all the tie-ins with the surrounding area, and replace the grass. This process should be fairly quick and orderly to prevent minimal disruption to play. We will make sure all areas worked on are properly marked until completely healed in.

As part of our continued efforts to manage our vital ground water resource, we will be re-sealing the original #8 lake sides from 1975. Also, as part of our water management plan we will also be installing a much more efficient up-to-date lake transfer line between the two lakes, and making design enhancements to the water feature next to #1 tee and #9 green. This project will begin on July 5th and continue through the month of July and early August.

All of these summer projects are part of a long-term golf course improvement plan to enhance the beauty and playing experience of the golf course. Any further questions regarding our current or future plans please contact the golf club and we will make sure you are helped.

2011-05-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and HOW of TRANSITION!

It's nice to be back on the blog circuit again. Since the last time we spoke there was frost, rain, and believe it or not snow falling in north Scottsdale. Since then, there have been a lot of changes happing here at Pinnacle Peak. The cool season is slowly coming to an end and the hotness is sure to follow.

So what changes will we expect to see on the golf course? TRANSITION. This process isn't the sightliest for golf courses in the valley of the sun. But it is necessary none the less. To help explain this process I will briefly answer the What, Why, When, and How of Transition.

WHAT: The removal of the overseeded winter ryegrass and the emergence of the bermudgrass that remained dormant beneath through natural climate changes and a little help from the Maintenance team.


*Notice slight coloration difference in the fairway due to chemical removal of ryegrass

WHY: Transition is the time of year that is most crucial for us to perform our agronomic practices on the course in order to allow in all ways possible for the berumdagrass to thrive. Essentially, our objective is to eliminate the ryegrass competing with the bermudagrass for sunlight, nutrients, and water.

WHEN/HOW: To deal with the competing ryegrass we implement certain practices throughout the months of May and June including; lower cutting heights (increases sun exposure to bermuda), reduce water use (combined with warm weather wilts the ryegrass out), spray selective herbicide (kills off remaining ryegrass without injury to bermudagrass), and fertilizer applications (provides supplemental nutrients to bermuda).

The implications of the annual Transition process can sometimes be an eyesore during May and June, but is an important part of a successful agronomic strategy to provide the best playing conditions for all our members and guests. I hope with a general knowledge of Transition you have a greater understanding of what you are experiencing on the course and why!

Questions or comments please contact the Golf Course Maintenance office

2010-11-25T08:51:00.000-08:00

First Signs of Frost Are Here: frost formation and the effects it has on turfgrass

Being a golfer myself I dislike frost delays just as much as the next guy. But as managers of the golf course our job is to please the golfers and do what's best for the health of the golf course, especially when dealing with frost on turfgrass. So, how does frost form? And how does it affect the turfgrass?

Frost is caused by water vapor depositing as ice crystals on the plant. What may surprise you is that frost may form even if air temperatures are above 32F. The reasoning behind this is when turfgrass cools independently of the air from the dew point or freezing point, water droplets or ice crystals form. Frost forms on turf when saturation occurs below freezing point. This process can be enhanced on a clear night which causes more radiant cooling, than on a cloudy night typically warmer than the clear sky.

If frost has formed on the turfgrass and any preasure contacts it, the cell structure within the plant breaks down. This can result in temporary damage to the leaf tissue, go off color, or permanently damage the turfgrass. As preventative measures we delay play on the golf course until the frost lifts from warming temperatures.

During mornings with frost, we first allow temperatures to rise before setting the golf course up. This means, waiting for the sun to rise. As I mentioned earlier, on a clear night the frost may be more severe due to much cooler surface temperatures. When we are able to set the course up, we try to provide ourselves a head start before sending play out.

As golf course managers we take frost damage very serious to ensure both the health of the turfgrass and quality playing conditions. I hope this provides a basic understanding of frost and its effects on turfgrass. If you have any questions or comments please contact the maintenance department.

References:
*Palazzo, Antonio J., April 1999, "Frost Inhabition of Turfgrass"
http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/library/specialreports/SR99_04.pdf
Accessed 24 November 2010

2010-11-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

Course Conditions and Updates:

We are very pleased with the establishment of the ryegrass overseed and it is growing stronger everyday. We are also seeing great success with the removal of bermudgrass in our greens on #3 and #6. We will continue our efforts to remove the remainning bermuda spots on the rest of the golf course through out the fall season.

Since we had some unseasonably warm weather in late October, this extended the growth of the bermudagrass base causing some noticable show through the ryegrass. However, this does not effect the health of the ryegrass. To improve the aesthetics we have reseeded and mulched all those areas.

Along with the warm weather came some much needed rain. This also brought on disease preassure to some of our low drainage areas causing the loss of some ryegrass due to pythium. Reseeding and fungicide applications were made to deal with this.

We hope you continue to enjoy the great Arizona weather.

2010-11-19T05:09:00.000-08:00

Bentgrass greens don’t come without challenges

Anybody that has played Pinnacle Peak would agree that they love the bentgrass greens we have to offer. However, bentgrass is a cool-season turfgrass and every summer is forced to compete with the surrounding warm-season bermudagrass that thrives in the hot Arizona weather. This presents a maintenance challenge to maintain a healthy stand of bentgrass and prevent the growth of the bermudagrass within the greens. A multitude of measures are taken to combat the bentgrass vs. bermudagrass challenge.

A sound fertility program is implemented year round based on soil tests and nutritional needs of the turf. By maintaining a dense and healthy turf will prevent unwanted weeds from intruding.

Along with our nutrient program, cultural practices that include aerification, verticutting, grooming, and topdressing, also pay a vital role in the maintenance of a healthy turf and stabilized soil structure. The above practices allow for proper exchange of gases, infiltration and percolation of water, and healthy organic layer to allow the turf roots to strengthen to push out competing weeds and handle low cuts of height. You might be wondering, why we schedule these practices during certain times of the year. In order to maintain the highest quality of turf without injuring the plant, we time our practices during the most active growth periods of bentgrass, spring and fall. The proper timing of these agronomic practices will yield a faster recovery and ultimately the best playing conditions.

Lastly, to combat the encroaching bermudagrass already intruded in the greens, we have taken several mechanical methods to remove the bermuda. In the summer of 2009, after an extensive research and decision process, we installed an ultradwarf bermudagrass (Tif Dwarf) barrier between the aggressive 328 Tif Green bermudagrass and our bentgrass greens. The advancements in ultra dwarf bermudgrasses have produced very unique growth and high density characteristics that act as an exceptional barrier around bentgrass by preventing the horizontal growth of 328 bermuda from growing in the Tif Dwarf. As well as the natural vertical growth characteristics that nearly eliminates the Tif Dwarf from encroaching into the bentgrass greens.

Other mechanical methods we have taken to restore our greens involve the edging of our greens perimeter in the summer months during the most active growth periods of bermudgrass. This process is done with a walk behind edger performed on a weekly basis from June to September to prevent further encroachment. Any bermudgrass inside of the greens are cut out by hand and replaced with bentgrass. This process is done during the spring and fall to allow a quick and healthy establishment.

The ongoing battle of bentgrass vs. bermudgrass is just one of many challenges we face here at Pinnacle. If you have any questions or comments please contact the golf course maintenance facility,

2010-08-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

SUMMER STRESS: How does turfgrass respond to record high temperatures?

Pace Turf star Dr. Wendy Gelernter explains in her YouTube video what types of stress turfgrass goes through in the Summer months (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg_CYn2YMvQ). Keep in mind that each golf course is different based on location, elevation, property/course resources, and climate conditions. What might work for one course doesn't always work on another.

The main point Dr. Gelernter makes has to do with the effects of turfgrass during extreme temperatures. During summer days reaching 90+ degrees Fahrenheit, cool-season turfgrass begins to show signs of "stress." These extreme temperatures will naturally cause damage to the turf canopy and its root structure. Warm-season grasses shows heat damage at temperatures 110+ degrees Fahrenheit.

To battle heat stress in the Summer we take all precautions necessary to precondition the course prior to, and reduce stress during the hot months. Most noticeably on the greens. Because they are bentgrass, a cool-season turf we keep a close eye on moisture levels, cutting heights, and implement a pest management program. These precautions reduce stress and promote healthy turf to push us through those record high Arizona temperatures.

2010-07-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Arizona Golf Writer/ Blogger Bill Huffman reflects on the unique history of Pinnacle Peak Country Club:

Bill Huffman's recent blog entitiled, "Pinnacle Peak CC stands test of time," couldn't have come at a better time than during this week, the 86th Arizona Amatuer at PPCC. FOLLW THIS LINK TO HIS BLOG:
Pinnacle Peak CC stands the test of time

2010-06-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

Aerification...Friend! Not Foe:

Aerification is one of the most vital and beneficial agronomic practices for turfgrass. Although it temporarily disrupts playing conditions it relieves soil compaction, allows water to infiltrate and move in the soil, stimulates turfgrass roots for a healthier plant, and helps control the build up of thatch.
All of our aerification practices are carefully timed during the optimum growth of the turfgrass. This in turn stimulates new growth and a healthier plant.
You might have noticed we aerify our greens earlier in the spring and the rest of the golf course in the summer. This is due to the cool-season bentgrass we have on our greens. The optimum growing periods for bentgrass is spring and fall. Aerifying during these periods of the year will condition the turfgrass to survive under the extreme Arizona weather.

2010-06-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

A kick off to Summer projects:

- Wix.com

2010-06-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Transition Time: Revolver Application (Chemical Transition aid)

This will be our sixth year using Revolver to aid transition from ryegrass to bermudagrass. Revolver is a selective herbicide specifically targeting cool weather grasses. This chemical application will speed up the removal of the winter ryegrass in order to allow the summer bermudagrass to thrive.

You may notice a slight yellowing discoloration in the fairways following the Revolver application. DO NOT DISTRESS, the slight yellowing is the ryegrass dying off.

To allow for a precise application of Revolver, the golf course will be closed on the day of the application. This will prevent any unwanted tracking onto non-target areas.

May 1st: wind storm claims two trees on the 18th hole...

2010-05-12T20:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, May 1st: two trees on the 18th hole were claimed in a wind storm. A eucalyptus tree in the right hand rough near the front tees (1st picture on the bottom) and a palo verde tree next to the gold tee (2nd picture on the bottom).

Black Light Trap between #5 & #6

2010-05-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are wondering what is sitting between five green and six tee, it is a black light trap. The purpose of the black light trap is to monitor the influx of certain turf destroying insects most prevelant on our greens. This allows us to better understand the life cycles of these insects by charting the peak flights of the adult insects. Once we've determined the peak flight from our light trapping results, we can expect those adults to lay eggs in the turf within 2-4 weeks. That 2-4 week window is the optimum time to make proper insecticide applications to the turf. This application will subdue the larvae population once they have hatched and begin to feed on the turf. These types of monitoring systems will help us make better pest management decisions which will in turn provide more consistant and quality conditions through out the summer season.

Pinnacle Peak blog is underway

2010-05-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

This will mark the very first information site dedicated to all things pertaining to golf course maintenance for Pinnacle Peak Country Club.

Through the dedication of the Golf Course maintenance team, our mission is to provide quality playing conditions that meet and exceed our members and guests expectations.