Golf Course News - 6/2/2007
As we enter the month of June, kids are getting out of school and the swimming pool is
opening. These are sure signs of Summer being right around the corner. With the change in
seasons, we should have improved golfing weather. Good days for golf have been few and far
between over the past couple of months. Wind has been the main culprit, but we have also
had some very wet periods. I hope the next month brings great golf weather.
Fort Dodge Country Club begins to take on a different look this time of year. The rough
that has been so thick and penalizing this Spring will start to heat up and dry out. The entire
golf course will start to play faster and firmer. The maintenance crew will be at full strength,
and the detail trimming and grooming will be getting done on a regular basis. We will also
see the signs of an increase in golf traffic. (Ball marks, divots, cart traffic, etc.)
This is also the time of year that the turf is the most stressed. With the Summer heat
and humidity comes disease pressure. We have a detailed spray program designed to prevent
disease from being able to attack the greens, tees, and fairways. The turf requires more water
this time of year as well. I am constantly monitoring the need for irrigation. Our watering
system has been operating fairly well so far this year, but some timely rains are still needed
to keep the turf in prime condition throughout the Summer.
I would like to take an opportunity to recognize my employees this month. I have an
excellent group of individuals working for me. They do a great job of maintaining the Country
Club property. I like the fact that they are reliable, hard workers, but I love the way they
care about the condition of FDCC. It is very difficult to teach someone to care about what
they are doing. Luckily, I don’t have that issue with my crew.
I hope to see a lot of members out golfing in the upcoming month. The golf course will
be in great shape and waiting for you.
-Donnie Teeter
