Highland Agronomy

 A long, dry, and challenging season has come to conclusion...but the course could not be in better condition heading into Winter. We have taken advantage of the warm dry fall to restore the back 2 tee boxes on hole 16, reclaim 2,000 sq ft of putting surface on 2, 6, and 13 greens, and make turf surface repairs to the range tees in an effort to begin 2023 with good turf cover.  Irrigation improvements will occur on the tees over winter to provide us the tools to better grow in new, viable turf during the playing season.  A practice tee is a major challenge, especially with current usage.  Major improvements to bring the practice facilities up to today's standards are on the horizon!!   A very much needed Capital Improvement was the upgrade to our pump station. We were able to update the pumps, needed valves, resurface the skid and the control panel. These updates will allow the pump station to be a modern viable station for years to come. The new control panel a...

One of the greatest challenges maintaining a golf property in the transition zone is to have a sustainable product season long.  A strong Defense is an important cog for a sports team, and it's an equally important part of turfgrass management.  This time of year is the peak weakness for cool season grasses.  Root systems have declined, months of mowing and traffic have occured, long and hot days are the norm, and rainfall is an all or nothing proposition.  Within 48 hours turf can be lost to heat/drought stress and/or to disease from high heat and humid conditions.  This time of year calls for the starting varsity defense. Defense comes in multiple forms.  Most often it involves a combination of what we don't do with added measures to the to-do list.  We remove unnecessary stresses by limiting processes such as grooming the turf, topdressing with a mechanical drag, and letting surfaces get to or past the wilt point.  We add processes such as tigh...

 The June chapter for 2022 has come to an end, but not before setting records for heat and lack of precipitation.  Midwest golf course infrastructure and turf varieties are made to withstand short spurts of both heat and drought.  Irrigation systems are designed, at their peak efficiency, to be supplemental to seasonal rainfall not as a long term lifeblood.   Prolonged stretches of both strains the limits of infrastructure, plant survivability, staff, and ultimately playing conditions short and long term.  I am very pleased with the results of the staff's hard work and diligence.  In such a long term wave of tough conditions, we can work to mask infrastructure issues to an extent, yet some cannot be completely overcome.  A prime example is irrigation coverage and control.  This combined with other issues such as growing environment, shade, etc. rears its head.  The 24 year old system has many deficiencies; with one of the most glaring be...

 Indiana weather never ceases to amaze, summer has made an immediate arrival! The Agronomy Department is taking steps to make sure the course, staff, and members are prepared  for this unusual heat wave. We have adjusted hours for staffing on the real hot an humid days, coolers are being checked regularly for everyone out on the course and Ryan and Chris are closely monitoring turf quality. Sustainability is key, protecting the main asset so its performing for the remainder of the golf season is paramount! Please check out this video below from the USGA concerning summer on the golf course. We are very excited about the Agronomy Staff this season! We thank them for their hard work, attention to detail, and all they do for Highland. Here is a majority of our staff for the season, the picture is missing an additional 5 part-time employees that also play a huge roll in our department.  We thank them all!!    We are asking for your help this season fixing ball marks...

Spring arrived and headed straight into Summer! It's awesome to see Members on the course and 1 Tee so full. With that being said, the Grounds Department has started working before dawn to start to prep the course for play. We are very excited with this year's staff and the production they provided thus far. We will be at full strength once we hit June with the addition of the college employees that will be joining us. As the season starts to get in full swing , we are in the process of wrapping up the bunker audit of sand. We have a few holes to go but the process has gone smooth and the finished product looks and plays amazing! With golf play ramping up please help us out. We want you to have a smooth run at the cup and we need your help in fixing ball marks as you make your way around. If you could, fix your ball mark plus 1 extra on the green to help your fellow member to follow!  Check out this video from The USGA https://youtu.be/myOTf1wuZoA ** Notice of Caution ** Please...