Rain, Rain and More Rain!

Lately it seems that the rain will just not end.  Over the last week from May 26 to June 2 we recorded over 7 inches of rain at our course weather station.  Some may believe that this is good for the turf but excessive rain can cause numerous issues for the turf plant and is an area of concern for Golf Course Superintendents.

Saturated soil conditions limit pore space for air and gas exchanges to occur in the root zone and roots need oxygen.  Some areas of the course have had standing water on them for the last week.  Bent grass suffers drastically when submerged for more than 24 hours and we are seeing some submerged areas turning yellow and thinning out after being underwater for almost an entire week.   

#1 fairway after .4 inches of rain in 20 minutes

Prolonged saturated soils also prevent the turf plant from developing a deep root system.  This may not result in immediate decline in plant health but when the summer stress period shows up in July and August plant health declines readily.  Root development occurs in the top 2-3 inches of the soil profile because plants have not had to put roots down to seek moisture.  The roots heat up very quickly in the top 2-3 inches as soil temperatures increase resulting in plant health decline and root die back.  This time of year we would usually water deep and infrequently to force the plants to develop deep root systems.  The current rains are exactly the opposite of this agronomic strategy. 

The other issue that is concerning is disease pressure.  Saturated soils along with higher soil temperature literally provide the perfect environment for disease development.  It is like Mother Natures petri dish!  You might ask, "Don't you spray for disease control?"  We do spray but getting the sprayer out on saturated soils can cause major damage to the turf due to rutting and ripping the turf right out of the ground.  Getting mowers, sprayers or any large equipment out on the course for any daily maintenance over the last week has become very challenging. 

As you can see the current situation regarding rain has created many concerns for the upcoming season and we have not even touched on current playability or the financial impacts it has on the Club.  We will do our best to manage our way through this situation and get the course back in shape.  Understand that the course is not drying out very well and getting carts out will take a few dry days and some time.  Unfortunately this weeks forecast is calling for more rain mid week.  Hopefully the forecasters are wrong.  Last year we could not buy a rain event and this year we could not pay to keep rain away!  Crazy....                        

      

Spring Aeration Nears Completion

The aeration of greens, tees, approaches, fairways and cart path ends is very close to completion.  The greens and tees were aerated 2 weeks ago and have fully recovered from the process.  We have 3 fairways left to aerate and we will be done with this important spring cultural practice.  The weather over the last few weeks has been challenging in getting the fairways completed as we lost numerous days to rain but we will wrap up fairway aeration this week.



#5 fairway being aerated

 Aerating these areas is a huge task and one that is vitally important in promoting healthy turf.  It allows gas and water exchange to the root zone, relieves soil compaction and removes thatch.  Thatch is the dead and dying organic matter that if allowed to accumulate can cause many issues.  Thatch can tie up water, nutrient and chemical applications preventing them from getting down into the root zone of the plant.  Excessive thatch can also "cap" or seal off the gas exchange between the root zone and the atmosphere allowing toxic levels of gases to build up in the root zone and potentially reduce plant health. 
The benefits of aeration are numerous and it is one practice that allows us to nurse the turf through the summer stress period.  We understand that it is disruptive to play but the short term inconvenience provides long term benefits in providing good playing conditions throughout the season.

#4 green 13 days after aeration.  Hard to tell it had been done!

So the next time you see that holes have been punched in a playing surface, please consider the below ground benefits it is providing to the turf.  A few weeks of inconvenience now provides 3-4 months of solid playing conditions during the season.  That is not such a bad deal, is it? 
Get out and enjoy the course as conditions are very good currently and the weather has been fantastic, except for the rain days!                 

A River Runs Through It....

Just a quick post showing the current status of the course after 3.62 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.  There will be no carts today but if you are interested in a canoe or kayak rental we can work out the arrangements. 

No. 1 fairway with new water hazard

The forecast today is calling for another 1-2 inches so we will be wet for a few days.  Hopefully the rain will stop before Friday and we can dry out and have carts sometime this weekend.  Crazy weather!!
Have a good end of the week and stay dry.

River through driving range!

   

Is It Spring Yet?

The Masters is over and it is time for some golf but will spring please show up?  We have seen the course green up quite a bit on the fairways and in the rough but tees and greens are still limping along with the cooler weather.  It is just a matter of time before everything begins to grow and warmer temps are here.  It is hard to believe that two weeks ago we were melting off 7 inches of snow and temps were below freezing.  In the last two weeks we have seen the turf break out of dormancy and at least act like it wants to grow.   After a slow start to spring it appears that it will remain a cool and damp beginning to the season. 





#6 fairway beginning to green up. Tee surface a little behind

 After a season last year that had carts running almost continually this season we are trying to get carts out in between rain events.  The turf is ready for some traffic but with wet conditions it has been nearly impossible to allow carts on the course.  Hopefully the rains will end soon and we can have some decent weather for golf!  I think we all got spoiled by 2012 and the type of season we had. 

We have had a chance to begin mowing on the course.  The greens have been mowed 4 times and tees have been mowed twice.  Fairways have also been mowed just two times this season.  With the cooler temps the grass does not grow aggressively and frequent mowing is not required like it is later in the season.  We will begin mowing rough this week if the rain ever lets up and we can get out on the course.  The forecast is calling for the possibility of 3 inches of rain in the next few days and snow showers!  I said, SNOW SHOWERS!!          

#12 Green and Fairway after mowing

It is a completely different year than we experienced last year and that is what makes a turf managers career interesting and challenging at the same time.  Just getting routine agronomic practices completed can be a real challenge.  Making required fertilizer and chemical applications can be nearly impossible when Mother nature chooses not to cooperate.   The timing of many treatments this time of year becomes very critical.  Pre-emergent herbicides and early "clean up" fungicide applications are based on soil temperatures and Growing Degree Day calculations.  If it is too wet to make these applications then the window of opportunity is missed and all kinds of problems may occur.  We just get it done when the first opportunity arises and try to meet our agronomic objectives the best we can.  We are at the critical stage right now for making some of these applications so some days of drier weather would be appreciated by the golf maintenance staff, and the golfers!  Sooner rather than later!!               

What a Difference a Year Makes!!

After a 2012 season that never seemed to end we begin the 2013 season with a completely different scenario.  March of 2012 was a record breaker with 10 consecutive days over 75 degrees recorded.  2013 has not even come close to the 70 degree mark and as we approach April 1st the forecast looks much more "normal" whatever that is.  After being spoiled with an early golf season in 2012 it appears this year, golfers will wait for spring to arrive. 

Just one week to April, 1 2013 and we have snow!

Last year on March 25th a high temperature of 78.5 degrees was recorded on our on course weather station.  This year for the same date we are looking at a high of 30 degrees with nearly 7 inches of fresh snow on the ground.  To say the least we are dealing with a completely different year as of right now.  Mother Nature is in charge and currently she has put her foot down by extending winter another week or so.
Last year by this point in time we had been mowing fairways and greens for almost 3 weeks.  This year the thought has not even crossed our minds.  We had called back the majority of our spring crew and had almost 15 employees on board by this date.  This year there are 4 golf employees currently on staff. 

No need to mow!  We may need a plow!

As we look at April 1st just one week away we will continue to evaluate the course on 5 day intervals.  We will first open for walking and when the course firms up, allow carts to follow.  We know that everyone is ready for the season to begin.  Cabin fever for a golfer is like a young child looking through the candy shop window but not allowed to go in.  We will remedy that as soon as Mother Nature hands over the shop keys!  Hang in there!!      

Winter Work At The Course

Many would think that there is not much to do in the winter regarding the golf course but that is just not the case.  We have been busy servicing all the equipment from walk mowers to member golf carts.  This is a very time consuming but necessary part of our annual winter work and is vitally important in maintaining our 1.2 million dollar fleet of equipment. 



Drain tile work on the course

We also have been out on the course doing some drain tile work on #15 left fairway rough and on #1 right side fairway rough.  These are both areas that tend to stay wet so the addition of some drain tile should help dry these areas out and improve playability.    

Work has also started with some tree trimming and selected removal on the course which will be completed before the season is in full swing.

We hope everyone had a enjoyable Holiday Season and that the winter is treating you well.  It won't be long before we are back out on the course and enjoying some golf.  Stay Warm!! 

Late Fall Projects Underway

As the weather has cooled and the days have shortened we remain busy out on the course.  Along with daily leaf detail we are addressing bunker face and cart path issues that needed attention .  We have been sodding these areas over the last week where needed. 

It is necessary to remove heavily played bunker face sod every 3 or 4 years as these areas become heavily top dressed with sand as shots are taken from the bunkers.  As a result, these areas become difficult to keep wet during the summer heat and tend to burn out very readily during the season.  We go in, remove the sod, and then take any excess sand away down to the clay.  We then lay new sod over the area and staple the sod in place so there is no movement over the winter months.  The sod is left hanging  over the bunker lip in order to protect the bunker edge over the winter.  Next spring when the sod has rooted well, we will cut the excess sod at the edge to get the clean bunker edge look that you see in our bunkers. 

Freshly sodded bunker face

    We have also sodded along cart path edges that were traffic worn during the season.  This cost can be avoided if all tires of the cart are kept on the cart path around greens and tees.  We will continue to remind our members to break this habit and this year the damage was less than in previous years so it is worth the effort.  It is interesting to note that in past years, prior to the irrigation install, we would use approximately 18,000 square feet of sod on an annual basis to repair the course for the upcoming season.  This year we will lay down 2400 square feet of sod to take care of our needs.  This is a substantial savings in the cost of sod annually but a huge savings in the labor cost involved in laying it. 

Sodded area along cart path edge damaged from cart traffic

The course is playing well and the leaves are a minimal issue at this point so come out and enjoy some late season golf.  The forecast for late this week into the weekend looks good for this time of year so grab a friend and your clubs and come out for the day.