News Taffy

Welcome to this week’s From the Fringe.  I’m sure my fellow golfers are tired of all this cold weather getting in the way of playing our favorite sport.  I know I am!  With the news last week that the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, I am hopeful that we have less than six weeks of cold weather to endure. If winter lasts longer than the forecasted six weeks, blame Phil not me.

With that in mind, this week we take a look at some of the steps one local course, the Jonesboro Country Club, is taking to prepare for the upcoming golf season.

JCC Course Superintendent Dan Nagy reports that JCC will continue tree removal on holes 3, 4 and 5.  For the most part, only diseased trees that pose a threat to members and staff are being removed.  Some other trees will be thinned out to aid with air movement and light penetration around certain green sites, Nagy said, like No. 4 for example. Thinning out trees should improve the health and vigor of the green surrounds.

In February, JCC will also be applying  pre-emergent weed application to the entire course and grounds. Nagy said JCC is using a different color spray dye this year so the entire course may look like it was painted green.  Using a spray dye helps to avoid applying too much or too little weed killer in any given area, he explained. The collars will be treated by hand with a 15-gallon wand sprayer. 

It’s hard to believe spring is just around the corner when you’re staring at snow-covered greens, but the reality is that area courses like JCC are actively preparing for the upcoming season. Dust off your clubs, switch out your Soft Spikes and tune up your swing. Spring is just a pitching wedge away.

Rodney Poff

rpoffokc@gmail.com