Wow! What a difference a week makes. Last week lows in single digits this week lows above freezing with high temps reaching 60 degrees. Crazy spring weather but just wait a few days and it may change! As we look ahead at the extended forecast it appears we may have a little winter mix late next week. For the most part our high temperatures will stay in the 50's next week which is normal for this time of year.
This week we had our first chance to be out on the course without snow cover. The course appears to have over wintered well with minimal disease pressure under the snow cover. Yes, there are diseases (snow molds) that occur over winter. We spray some areas preventatively in the early winter to protect the turf. There are just a couple of areas that have some winter damage but nothing large scale and not anything unexpected. The damaged areas will recover once the turf begins to grow.
The ground has started to warm and currently the top inch or two of the soil is thawed. The frost is around 12 inches deep so it will take some time to get completely thawed out. As this thawing occurs the ground is very soft and saturated. The turf is still dormant at this point with no physiological activity going on. Care must be taken to limit turf damage and wear this time of year as the turf has no recuperative ability and any damage from wear or traffic can potentially linger for the entire season.
So the big question becomes, "When can we start playing some golf?" With some warmer weather and avoiding any substantial rain or snow we should see the ground continue to thaw. In the next 5-10 days we are hoping that the ground firms up enough to get walkers out on the course. Carts will start running when we see the turf begin to break dormancy. Hopefully a few weeks after the walkers get started we can let carts get rolling.
We know that everyone is anxious to get the season started but some patience at this point in time is the prudent approach to having good conditions in May, June and through the season. We will not begin mowing until we see the turf "green up" and break dormancy. A small crew will begin working on the course initially just picking up winter debris and cleaning up different areas.
As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding this time of year. It won't be long before we are up and running at full speed but until then it is a game of give and take. Mother nature will give us what she wants and we will take what she offers and make the best of it. For the latest information on course conditions contact the Pro Shop staff. See you on the course soon!
