Is it March? Really!!

What a strange start to spring.  In the last week numerous high temperature records have fallen throughout the Midwest.  With temperatures in the 80's the turf has definitely responded.  What a difference in just one week.  The Spring green up has started and the first mowing for the year on greens, tees and fairways has been completed.  The turf grows slowly as it comes out of dormancy but with the above normal temperatures it won't take long to get into some real growing weather as soil temperatures increase.   The course came out of winter in good shape and with the typical Spring growth it should come around nicely as we move forward.


First mowing of the year completed on tees,greens and fairways

Currently the course is playing very well and the rains on Monday (the first day of Spring) created no playability issues.  Carts were allowed today on the course with a few golfers taking advantage of the 80 degree day.  The greens have been rolled numerous times and are rolling nicely for this early in the season.  It will take a few more weeks to get them to firm up but that will come with time. 

So how will the early Spring warm up effect the turf?  It is hard to predict how the early start to the season will impact the turf.  It is probable that weeds, insects and turf pathogens will all show up earlier and possibly in greater numbers.  With a winter that lacked the extended freezing temperatures we do know that populations of turfgrass pests are higher than normal.  We may also see some turf set back if we get a hard spring frost after the turf has broke dormancy.  These set backs are typically short lived and symptoms are gone after a week or two of better growing conditions.  We will just have to see what Mother Nature has in store for us as Spring unfolds but for right now, it is great weather for March and golf!