Skip to main content

Weather Station


This past week we installed a weather station on our property here at HCC. This tool will provide us with up to date weather information for our golf course. The weather station has a number of sensors and meters within it. We can now monitor and record data on wind speed and direction, humidity levels, UV levels, temperature, evapotranspiration and rain amounts. The ability to have these accurate records is essential in pursuit of our Integrated Pest Management Certification. Having an accurate rain gauge on the property is very important, as the closest monitored weather station is located at London Airport. The variance in location is now completely out of the equation.

The evapotranspiration (ET) data is the amount of water removed from the soil profile from natural elements like temperature, wind speed and humidity. We use this data in conjunction with our irrigation control system to match the amount of water lost with amount that we apply through our irrigation system. We have been using this method of irrigating on our fairways and tees for the past season or so. In the past we had to rely on data from Environment Canada which is accurate, but not site specific. I am working on some software that will allow me to post the weather information on this blog for all of our members to view. The forecast for this week looks great so I look forward to seeing some high temp. numbers as opposed to and ever increasing rain gauge (as it was last week).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Practice Range Tee

Last fall we utilized a “new to us” method of revitilization for our practice tee. Our contractor TDS,  fraize mowed the surface of the tee to remove organic matter as well at to aid in leveling. The tee was then aerified and seeded to a new variety of creeping rye grass. We chose this type of turf grass as research  shows rapid recovery and a low growth habit. We were able to get some great growth in the fall, but the tee is still not ready for traffic and full use. The plan is to utilize the mats until growth has filled in some of the voids etc. We will then begin to slowly set up hitting areas on the grass tee. For a while we will alternate between grass and the mats with a 50/50 ratio of use. Once the grass tee is established and is in adequate recovery mode, the practice areas will be back to normal. As always our membership’s patience is appreciated as we try to improve these areas for use.
Post a Comment
Read more

Cultural Greens Maintenance...

With the cooler temperatures this week, we will be performing some all important greens maintenance procedures. Monday evening (after the outside event) we will be doing a light grooming on both our greens and collars. This task will help to reduce the amount of lateral growth, therefore standing up the plants (for a better cut) and smoothing out the surfaces. Following the grooming we will be dry mowing all areas tonight to help clean up the debris. Tuesday morning we will be applying our biweekly light topdressing prior to play. Once the sand has dried, we will use our cocoa matt to drag the sand into both the canopy and the shallow grooming channels created by tonight's procedure. These practices in conjunction help to create a smooth, firm and healthy surface to putt on.
Post a Comment
Read more

Greens Cultural Management Practices Schedule

The fall is a great time to perform a number of necessary cultural practices. Our goal is to amend the upper portion of the greens surface with enough sand to help insulate the crown through the winter as well as removing and diluting organic matter. Below you will find a schedule of cultural practices that we aim to complete before the covers go on and the snow flies!!! Wednesday, Sept. 30th- Light topdressing followed by a Cocoa matt Tuesday, Wednesday October 13/14-Course Closure full core aeration with heavy topdressing. October 19th- Light topdressing followed by a Cocoa matt October 26th- Light topdressing followed by a Cocoa matt November 2nd- Light topdressing followed by a Cocoa matt November 9th- Deep Verticut, followed by a sufficient topdressing. November 16th- Post Course Closure, Heavy topdressing followed by Deep tine aeration. Of course this is all in hope that the weather cooperates...happy fall!
Post a Comment
Read more