Pelican Point undergoing improvement projects

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Pelican Point Golf Course, located on Tyndall near Red Fish Point, is undergoing improvement projects to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of the course and prepare it for the upcoming fall season.

The course recently underwent a staff assistance visit from Air Force Golf Program turf grass agronomist Rick Boehm. His report indicated areas on the course that required attention to improve the appearance and function of the golf course.

Pelican Point golf course officials are already implementing improvement tactics. Among them, nematode treatment applications, weed removal, bunker removal, tree trimming and root pruning, sod fill, and aerification of tees, greens, and fairways.

According to the report, nematodes are microscopic worms that attack the root system of the grass, destroying root growth and killing the turf plant.

"We applied a treatment called Nortica to combat nematodes," said golf course manager Michael Glenn, 325th Force Support Squadron. "It protects the root system from the worms by making the roots an unpleasant food source. They will eventually die off from lack of nutrition."

Nortica has been applied to all the greens and some fairway areas.

"We think it's working, but it does take time to see the results," he said. "Nematodes are most active in the summer."

Aggressive weed removal has been an ongoing project on the fairways, tees and greens. It requires more preventative maintenance.

"Weeds were a big problem, but that too is a continuous process that has shown a lot of improvement," said Glenn. "There are no immediate results to any treatments, especially when you have 130 acres to maintain. We are seeing a lot less weeds and the areas are improving."

Additional upcoming projects golf course officials are planning is bunker removal on holes three, 10, and 17, continued aerification practices for greens, sod fill, tree trimming and root pruning.

To prevent trees from depleting the grass of moisture and nutrients it needs to thrive, a large machine digs a trench along the roots to keep them from creeping over into grass areas.

"Tree trimming and root pruning takes a few months and will most likely begin in October," Glenn said. "It's essential to keep the roots under control."

Pelican Point Golf Course will re-open July 29 after the maintenance and improvement projects are completed.

"We continue to care for the course in the best possible ways," said Glenn. "This week we are aeriating the grass to allow nutrients and water to enter the soil more easily and encourage healthy grass growth."

"Our greens are growing in great and we continue to see improvement on greens on 10, 11, and 12," he added. "Coastal courses in particular have more challenges than others, but we have a great course and we are excited to to get folks out here to see the improvements on our great course here at Tyndall."

Additionally, Defense Department identification card holders can sign up for Get Golf Ready, a beginner golf program for children and adults. The program provides five lessons and a day of golf on the course. Participants receive instruction from Professional Golfers Association professionals Steve Underhill and Mike Glenn. Cost to participate is $99 per person and clubs are provided. For more information or to sign up call 283-2565.