When will the rain stop?

The rain has continued pretty consistently for the last month.  We surpassed 3" for the month yesterday and it's still piling up.  It's hard to get frustrated knowing how desperately we need the moisture for the coming months, but it has made our spring ramp up a challenge.  The course is in great shape and healing up..a little slowly.  We are excited nonetheless about what June will bring!  Warmer temperatures and lots of golfing opportunities.  We are working hard to stay in front of all the dandelions which are definitely benefitting from wet conditions.  The greens are rolling really well and we have finally reached respectable speeds..9-10 on the stimp meter.  They will only get better.  Thanks to everyone that has braved the nasty weather to enjoy the course.  Have a great week.

Andy
 

Pair of geese and goslings on #11

May showers bring...June flowers?!?

Good morning everyone.  The early summer like weather has taken a brief break for the last several days.  May is typically one of our wettest months of the year, we average about 1-3/4" of rain/snow for the month.  As of this morning we have had 1-1/2" over the last 3 days, with last nights total being the 3 day winner of .66".  It will definitely be soppy out there today, especially this morning.  We will allow carts after noon today as long as it doesn't rain any more.  Temps are forecasted to stay in the 40's today with 15-20 mph winds all day so it will be chilly for sure.  If you are brave enough to get out today please utilize cart paths where available and observe a 90 degree rule, keep carts away from green surrounds and tee complexes, avoid puddles and have fun!  Our tee times move up to 9AM starting tomorrow as well.

We have been all the way around and gotten the bunkers worked into shape for play, they still require some detail work but are coming along nicely.  The mouse damage continues to heal and we should be in great shape by Memorial Day, which is always our goal. 

The North Grille opens this weekend with a Mother's Day brunch on Sunday and regular food service starting on Monday so come out enjoy the full JH Golf & Tennis experience.

I can't say for certain, but we believe the yearling/juvenile moose in the picture from the previous post is the same one from this picture last spring.

Mom and calf near #1 green last spring (May 2014)

 

Spring golf

Our stretch of amazing above average temperatures and plentiful sunshine continues.  I can't recall a spring that we have been this far along with turf recovery and the quality of the greens.  It's certainly been a treat..that being said the weather looks get back to more typical May conditions with some rain and cooler temperatures slated for the end of the week.

As I mentioned, the greens are really working into shape as we continue to lower our mowing heights and roll them on a consistent basis.  The little damage we had from ice and animals is healing nicely and the greens will only continue to get better.  The mouse damage in the other areas is healing nicely as well and these warm temps and periodic rain is all we need to get those areas back in shape.  We are focusing our efforts in the bunkers repairing the elk, moose and buffalo damage, cleaning out debris and re-distributing sand from the spring melt.  We are making great progress and are so excited for a great season.

There continues to be numerous elk and moose around the property.  The buffalo have finally arrived as well so enjoy the scenery and give the animals plenty of space.  Remember, wildlife has the right of way at JHGTC.  We have a pair of osprey in the east nest on #11 and a goose has poached the one to the west.  Additionally, we had Lower Valley Energy put up another nest on the far west end of the property last year near #13 tee box and it has another osprey calling that one home.  We also recently discovered a pair of red tailed hawks nesting just east of #8 in Grand Teton National Park that have been hunting frequently on east end of the property.  They are really fun to watch!

We look forward to seeing everyone out on the course.  Have a great week!

Tip of the day:  Remembering when fixing ball marks on the greens to push in towards the mark with your tool and not lift up which can tear the roots.  Pushing the ball mark in from the edges and then flattening with the bottom of your putter will increase healing time versus lifting up.  Study's from Kansas State University shows that improperly repaired ball marks (lifting up) take twice as long to heal vs. those repaired correctly (pushing in).

Buffalo near #8 tee box over the weekend

Juvenile moose last week