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November 5, 2011
The old Penncross bentgrass on the greens was in very good condition. You have done a good job in growing the bentgrass with only a few spots on greens with problems during the hot summer weather. The bentgrass had died in some places on the fairways. Factors associated with the problems are discussed below.
The #2 fairway was being aerifyed during my visit. Plugs about 2.5 inches deep were being pulled. This will help improve aeration and root growth in the top layer of soil. The heavy clay soil was very compacted below the aerification holes, which results in poor soil drainage and shorter roots. Installing drainage lines across the fairway is the only way that I know to help improve soil drainage in the compacted soil.
There were some bare soil areas about 100 yards from the green on the #3 fairway. The soil was very wet in that area and the bentgrass probably died from diseases such as Pythium blight and brown patch during the summer. I observed root inhibition on the bentgrass growing in that area. The preemergent herbicide that was applied in the spring had leached about ½ inch deep into the soil and was inhibiting root growth below that level. The herbicide had given very good control of crabgrass and other summer annual weeds. The shorter roots on the bentgrass made it more susceptible to summer stresses such as heat, diseases and damage from cart traffic. I suggested not applying a preemergent herbicide next spring to allow better root growth on the bentgrass. The negative of not applying the herbicide is that crabgrass might be a problem in some areas.
There was a very wet area on the #4 fairway near the green. It appears that the soil is slightly lower in that area causing it to remain too wet. The bentgrass had died in a drier area nearby. It is difficult to keep the soil moist in the drier area and not too wet in the lower area. You have had to apply some irrigation water to the area to help the new seeds germinate and grow in the drier area. Installing a French drain in the wet area and running the line across the fairway to the creek is the only way that I know to help solve the wet soil problem.
The bentgrass had very good quality on the #6 fairway near the creek. Drainage lines have been installed in that area and carts are not allowed on that part of the fairway.
A few areas of thin bentgrass were on the #7 green. These areas were caused by hydrophobic dry soil. The soil was still very dry in some soil cores that I examined. The large dead areas around the back edge of the green were caused by hydrophobic soil. Aerification, application of a wetting agent and watering enough to wet the soil will be required to get the soil wet again. More wind blowing over this green in the open area contributed to the dry soil problem. This green needs more irrigation in the summer.
The bentgrass had thinned in several areas on the #13 fairway. The area about 200 yards from green was caused by wetter soil from extra water running across the fairway, root inhibition from herbicides and cart traffic. A larger pipe could be installed across the fairway and across the #12 fairway to collect more of the surface water. The bare soil areas about 150 yards from the green were caused by a combination of diseases, compacted soil, root inhibition and cart traffic. I saw some pictures of dead streaks from cart tires in that area following very hot weather. The bentgrass should cover the bare spots next spring if a preemergent herbicide is not applied.
There was a lot of common bermudagrass on the south facing bank and fairway on the #14 hole. I would let the bermudagrass grow in that area since it is better adapted to hotter environment than bentgrass.
More bentgrass had died on the #16 fairway than any other fairway. The soil on the left side of the fairway was poor and compacted. The topsoil was removed from that area and moved to the right side of the fairway during construction. Also, water seeps out of the hill on the left side of the fairway and comes to the surface where the topsoil was removed. I suggested taking some soil samples in that area to determine if some nutrient problem such as low phosphorus is contributing to the problem. I think it will be a good idea to install some bermudagrass sod in that area next spring. It will take some time for bentgrass to cover that area. A bermudagrass variety such as Celebration, Patriot or Tifton 419 should grow well in that area with a southern exposure.
The bentgrass has grown well around the #17 green this year. The trees were thinned and lower limbs removed toward the #18 tees to improve airflow. Also, more fungicides were sprayed around the green during the summer to control diseases.
The bentgrass had grown well during the several weeks before my visit. It will depend on how long the weather remains warm this fall as to how much more coverage will occur in some large dead areas. I expect you will have good coverage in most areas by late spring next year.
I appreciated the meeting with the members. I hope I explained why some of the problems occurred. Installing many drainage lines will help to keep the clay soil drier in some areas on fairways. It will be expensive and the members might consider extra fees to help cover the cost of installing many feet of drainage lines.
The turf maintenance budget for the course with bentgrass on tees, fairways and greens is relatively low. However, it is what the owner can afford to spend and remain in business without increasing membership costs.
You have done a good job managing the turf on the course during the recent very hot summers. We might have a “normal summer” in that area one year. Let me know if I can provide additional information.
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