Operation Pollinator onThe Ford Plantation Golf Course

Operation Pollinator has really begun top take off. Our new seedlings are getting established... the warm temperature is ideal for growth.

This photograph was taken June 6th demonstrating the plants beginning to flower.

Several different colors are starting to pop from the plants including whites, purples and yellow.

This Rudbeckia is in full glory

In just 10 days the flowering plants have really exploded into color. 

Golf Course Superintendent, Kyle Johnson doing some selective hand weeding in the Club's operation pollinator plot.

A word about Operation Pollinator from the Syngenta Company:

Bumblebees play a crucial role as one of natures' pollinators, but they are in serious decline and need our help now. Reversing the plight of the bumblebee and other pollinating insects will help to prove that golf courses can be managed in harmony with the environment and provide valuable wildlife habitats.

Golf courses can provide essential sanctuaries for bumblebees and other beneficial insect species.  Environmental enhancement of relatively undisturbed out of play areas can provide the perfect location for immensely valuable ecological habitats.

Golf Course and Grounds Activity Update

Kyle Johnson, our course superintendent has the GCM staff running on all cylinders.
The fairway Summer topdressing program has begun and phase 1 is near completion. 

There will be 2 major topdressing events this season. The second application is scheduled for July 13-24, when the course is closed. The sand will help smooth construction scars and make the fairways smooth. In addition, when coupled with core aeration, soil modification is realized... which is a good thing.

Several weeks ago, we had a company perform a demonstration of the dryject machine on the number 13 green. We will monitor the impact of this new technology that is designed to inject sand into the green soil profile.

The result of the dryject is seen here. The tear drop white sand demonstrates the machines ability to inject sand into the profile with minimal disruption. 

The baby gators are getting more brave as the temperatures warm. This little guy was caught running across #10 fairway towards the wetlands.

Vertical mowing of all bermudagrass surfaces is in full swing with the warm temperature here. Intense fairway vertical mowing has been a staple in the program for years. This process is disruptive but if you are in town and want play golf, don't let the process scare you. Members can easily enjoy a round through the process.  

Smiling Ben on the fairway vertical mower

Levi vertical mowing the 11th green

First Assistant Dane Alexander is leading the GCM Staff through drainage enhancements at 8 and 9 tee. These teeing grounds should play much firmer once the work has been completed. 

Armin and Randy Double cutting the green with the brush attachment in lowered position

The littoral shelf at 7 is maturing well

Iris, Pickerel weed and Spadderdock were planted 10 months ago on this site 

Just last week, more pickerel weed was planted on the shelf to bolster the appearance near the 7th green.

Matt Huggins and the Grounds staff have been hard making improvements. This week, new St. Augustine sod was laid in front of the club to recapture the linear design which gives the lawn a real low country feel.  

The Grounds department with some help from the GCM staff also added some new plantings at parking area that was created during the course construction project. This picture is a before shot.  

150 azaleas were planted in this location to give the berm a more low country feel. The after pictures look great.  

In addition, azaleas were also planted in between the parking area and Practice facility to enhance the landscape.

Finally, the Grounds staff made some improvements to the Welcoming Building at the club. Fresh grass was laid which really makes a great first impression.