4/30/13 Morning Pics

The clay courts have been busy.  League matches and team practices along with general member play each morning.  Jeff, Vic and Wilson getting things ready.  The last picture is of Andrew spraying growth regulator on the grass courts.  A combination of two products to inhibit seed formation on the annual bluegrass plants. 

Following are some excerpts from an earlier blog entry regarding annual bluegrass flowering.

The majority of the turf on the the grass courts at LCC is a species called Poa annua or annual bluegrass. One of the distinguishing features of Poa annua is that in our region it flowers every May. It is so adaptable that no matter how low the grass is cut, it still produces a flower.  Producing seed (by flowering)is the single greatest user of energy in the plant. Using this energy (carbohydrates) reduces stored amounts that could be used in the stressful summer. So if we can inhibit flowering in May, the plant will be healthier in the summer and be able to wear and recuperate better and withstand pest pressure with more vigor. 

Clay court renovations are done -time to move on to the grass courts.  Jeff verticutting, Nate aerating.

Although the courts are closed on this cold (38 degrees at 12:30 pm), wet and dreary day there are lots plants coming to life that tell us that warmer days are coming.  Here is a short slideshow of pictures from this morning.  

Click on the link below to see a report from Wimbledon's head groundsman, 1954.  

1954 Wimbledon Report

Wet Saturday Morning

Lots of rain this morning.  Geese on the clubhouse roof, Wilson and Larry discussing the clay courts and Jeff washing the cafe terrace.

3/16/2013

The clay courts took a beating this weekend as they were soft due to the cool, wet conditions.  The second picture shows some the hundreds of the repair patches done this morning.  The third and fourth pictures are from Nate's Taste Test Tuesday.  This week's test was on sunflower seeds - Dill Pickle vs. plain.

The last picture is of the final clay court resurfacing.  All 19 clay courts are done!

Clay Court Resurfacing

Magnolia - Teaching Courts

First Tennis, 4/5/13

The traditional opening of the clay courts.  Dick Mount and Jon Trotter.

Courts 9, 10 and 11 were resurfaced today despite a morning delay due to heavy frost.  The lads were treated to a superb lunch by John G.  It was well deserved as the three courts were cleaned of old topdressing and spread with new in one day.