Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy

  Agronomy Update — June 26, 2026 Course Operations This week, we applied a wetting agent to the greens, tees, and fairways. Wetting agents improve water infiltration and promote more uniform moisture distribution throughout the soil profile. In addition, we aerified the tees using solid tines to enhance surface permeability. As part of this effort, we also applied 2.5 tons of gypsum across the greens, tees, and fairways. These practices are specifically aimed at mitigating the negative effects of our well water. During dry periods, we rely more heavily on well water for irrigation, which contains elevated levels of sodium bicarbonate. Over time, this can cause the soil to seal, restricting both water movement and air exchange. The combination of wetting agents, aerification, and gypsum helps counteract these effects and improve overall soil health. Laz aerifing tees on Tuesday.  Our irrigation team has also been actively addressing system maintenance, including repair...

  Agronomy Update — June 19, 2026 Course Operations This week, we applied a preventive fungicide to 24 acres of fairways and tees to help protect against common summer turf diseases. Throughout the season, our short grass areas are treated every 14 days, while greens are maintained on a 10–14 day schedule, depending on weather conditions. With the recent heat and dry weather, a significant part of our focus has been hand-watering key areas across the course. Typically, 6–8 team members are out daily ensuring turf stays healthy and stress-free during these warmer stretches. We’ve also been working to improve course visibility and overall aesthetics. Tall weeds have been cleared to the left of the 16th green, behind the 15th green, and along the wetland right of the 4th tee, opening up better views of the ponds, river, and creek. Ongoing maintenance continues with edging cart paths and bunkers, along with filling divots on tees and fairways to keep playing conditions consis...

  Agronomy Update — June 12, 2026 Course Operations This week, we treated 68 acres of rough with a preventive insecticide targeting white grubs, along with a wetting agent to improve water infiltration. The GPS map below outlines the treated areas. Greens were sprayed on Monday with a preventive fungicide and received a light fertilizer application. The Gps sprayer map after rough spray What the operator sees on the GPS sprayer. On Hole 16, cart restrictions were adjusted to better manage traffic on the back half of the fairway, beginning near the second set of bunkers approaching the green. This change is intended to reduce stress on newly established turf. We will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as needed. On Thursday, a specialized contractor completed our annual irrigation pump system inspection. This included both the intake screen—located in the center of the No. 6 lake—and the wet well inside the pump house adjacent to the same pond. The lake intake scree...

  Agronomy Update — June 5, 2026 Course Operations We have returned to a dry weather pattern, and the team has been actively hand-watering to maintain optimal turf conditions. The use of TurfRad sensors continues to improve our efficiency by helping us quickly identify and address localized dry areas across fairways and tees. This technology allows us to target irrigation precisely while preserving the firm playing conditions our members expect. In the accompanying image, blue indicates wet areas, green represents ideal moisture levels, and orange to red highlights areas experiencing dryness. Turfrad screen.   The crew has completed sodding around the paddle courts, enhancing the appearance of this area. We are also cleaning up and leveling the area near the restroom by Hole 14. This space will serve as a central gathering location for the junior golf camp, and to help connect the short game area to the rest of the course.  The sod will be completed next week a...