I haven't been able to update everyone on what's happening on the courses because it seems the past 30 days have been sending frost or rain updates. As a quick heads up, we expect a rain event in the next 24 hours followed by extremely cold night temperatures for the next 4-5 days which may cause frost delays. We will continue to post updates to keep everyone informed of course conditions.
We have finally caught up on all of the mowing on both courses. Between the rain events and Holidays, we were struggling to get days where we could mow roughs and fairways. Both courses are completely caught up now and the turf growth has slowed down due to all of the frost. We will be fertilizing both courses on Monday to green them up from all of the frost damage.
Our biggest issue this time of year are the coots. We have dedicated a full time employee to coot harassment and management who will constantly be forcing the birds away from the greens and into the water. He will also be cleaning greens in the afternoon if they have been "damaged" by the birds. As a reminder, shooting coots in Coto is not a legal option. We are using several techniques to manage the coot issue. We have started using new methods this week such as feeding them on the back sides of lakes, using sand topdressing to deter them from in-play areas, and we are going to install some new fencing on one of the lakes.
We also have several improvement projects in process this month. We are renovating the landscape area on #5 tee South, trimming trees and creek lines, sodding cart path edges, cleaning out our pump station in-takes, planting trees in the mulch area on #4 North and adding drainage to wet areas. We are also still in the process of replacing every sprinkler on the North Course.
We have also invested in some new equipment. We purchased two new electric walk mowers to help us stay in front of play in the summer, and new bunker rake attachments. We are hoping these new attachments will improve the playability of our fairway bunkers. We want the machines to loosen the sand, but then lay it back out flat and smooth. The new attachments use 3 different raking options together to produce a better finished product.
Happy New Year to all of you, and I look forward to a year of great improvements to the golf courses.
