Superintendent’s Report - August 2023

 

Weather Conditions: During August, the average daily high temperatures range from 83°F to 89°F, with relative humidity reaching 75%. September experiences slightly cooler temperatures, with highs between 78.6°F and 84.2°F and relative humidity at 76%. The combination of high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat stress on the turf, causing plants to shut down and root loss of up to 75-80%.

Watering and Irrigation: To combat heat stress and ensure optimal playing conditions, the current watering schedule aims to provide close to 1 inch of water per week. The golf course employs an automated irrigation system, which is closely monitored to prevent overwatering and maintain appropriate soil moisture levels. Additionally, the course faces the challenge of managing afternoon thunderstorms, which can alter the irrigation plan.

Soil Composition and Drainage: The native soils primarily consist of heavy clay, impacting drainage and easily compacted by cart traffic. This poses challenges in maintaining adequate soil moisture levels and addressing waterlogging issues during rainy periods. In contrast, the greens and tees have a sand-based rootzone mixture, which improves drainage. However, an effort is needed to remove excess sandy soil around the greens and replace it with a more suitable mixture to support healthier root systems.

Turfgrass Health and Challenges: Kenmure Country Club predominantly uses Penncross variety Bentgrass, which is known for its playability but is highly susceptible to Dollar Spot fungus. The peak period of late July and early August puts tremendous pressure on the course, with increased risks of disease outbreaks, insect infestations, and turf damage from high golfer traffic.

Maintenance Activities: To mitigate the challenges posed by heat stress, the height of cut for greens is raised during this period, reducing stress on the turf. Fungicides are applied at 2-week intervals on greens, tees, and fairways to protect against diseases, insects, and nematodes. Summer weeds are managed to minimize their visibility and impact on playability.

Traffic and Wear & Tear: Cart traffic can cause substantial turf damage, especially during periods of excessive heat, humidity, and low soil moisture levels. Fairways 8, 12, 13, 15, and 16 have historically been problematic during the height of summer. Recovery from wear and tear, ball marks, and divots takes longer during this challenging period.

Conclusion and Future Recommendations: The months of August and September pose significant challenges to golf course maintenance at Kenmure Country Club. Strategies to combat heat stress, manage irrigation effectively, and address soil composition and drainage issues are critical to preserving turfgrass health and playability. Future recommendations include prioritizing renovations to improve drainage and reducing sand buildup around greens. Close monitoring of disease and pest pressures, along with a strategic maintenance schedule, will be vital to ensure optimal playing conditions during these challenging months.

By implementing the recommended strategies and adjustments, Kenmure Country Club can continue to offer its members a rewarding golf experience even during the most challenging months for golf course maintenance.

 

Summary of Golf Course Maintenance Points for August and September at Kenmure Country Club:

1. Irrigation Management: The irrigation system is used sparingly to prevent the course from becoming too wet, especially during afternoon thunderstorms.
2. Daily Tee and Pin Changes: Tee markers are moved daily, and pin locations are changed 3-4 times per week based on play volume, ensuring varied play experiences.
3. Sand Trap Maintenance: Sand traps are raked 3 times a week, adapting the schedule as needed depending on rainfall.
4. Summer Weed Control: Summer weeds are regularly trimmed and managed to minimize their visibility and disruption to play.
5. Fungicide Application: Greens, tees, and fairways receive fungicide application at 2-week intervals to protect against diseases, insects, and nematodes.
6. Fertilization Schedule: Fertilization of greens and tees will be postponed until nighttime temperatures consistently reach the 50's.
7. Aerification Schedule: Greens Aerification will take place on Sept 18-19.  The golf course will be closed on that Tuesday and reopen the following morning.  Tee Aerification will take place during regular play in the weeks following the greens.  Fairway and Roughs will be completed throughout Oct-Nov.

Golf Maintenance Update from July

 This was my communications with the GAC from the August Meeting:

I extend my warm greetings to all of you and express my gratitude for the opportunity to address the golf activities committee today. I am delighted to provide you with a comprehensive update on the current state of the golf course, detailing the activities that transpired during the month of July and outlining our plans for August and September.

July has consistently proven to be a demanding month for the health of the golf course due to the extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity. As we all know, our golf course predominantly features cool-season grass species, which are not well-suited to thrive under high-temperature conditions. The scorching air and soil temperatures during July pose significant challenges for the best grass plant's health, resulting in up to 50% root loss when soil temperatures reach the range of 75 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Understanding the optimal conditions for root and shoot growth is crucial to maintaining a healthy golf course. For optimal root growth, soil temperatures between 50 to 65 degrees are ideal, while the growth on the top part of the grass (shoots) occurs optimally between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These insights highlight the sensitivity of our turf to temperature fluctuations, and it emphasizes the importance of mitigating extreme conditions to ensure the longevity of our playing surfaces.

One critical aspect that we need to address during July and August is the traffic the golf course receives. It is during these months that we witness the highest amount of play and member participation, along with hosting outside events that add to the wear and tear on the course. Unfortunately, this period also coincides with the weakest state of our bentgrass, making it less capable of recuperating from the damage inflicted by this high level of activity.

Moreover, the fairways present a specific challenge due to their construction on native soil, which has not undergone modification. When the fairways were initially constructed in 1981, the grass was seeded and grown on the existing soil, with no specific amendments. Consequently, we are left with a predominantly clay soil type that is poorly drained, leading to prolonged periods of wetness when we receive precipitation. This excess moisture negatively impacts the root zone of the turfgrass, hampering its health and resilience.

Throughout the summer months, we face numerous issues with turf damage, which typically takes a significant amount of time to heal. The physiological characteristics of bentgrass make it more vulnerable during this period, compounding the challenges we encounter as turfgrass managers. The damages caused by various sources, whether it be due to excessive traffic, pests, or extreme weather conditions, demand extensive time and effort to restore the health of our golf course.

A crucial factor that often goes unnoticed when considering turfgrass health is the soil structure and compaction. There are pockets of soil with favorable conditions for growth, but there are also areas with poor soil that hinders the grass's development. A simple test using a screwdriver can demonstrate this; in healthy areas, the screwdriver can penetrate deeply, but in problematic spots, it barely goes half an inch without additional force. Addressing this issue necessitates careful management and tailored approaches to different areas based on their soil characteristics.

Pest management plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality of our turf during the summer months. This is the time when we face the highest levels of disease and insect pressure. Effective management requires the application of chemicals to prioritize high-traffic areas such as greens, tees, and fairways, while less protected areas like roughs receive limited protection. Though it is a significant expense, such practices are typical for golf courses in this region and are essential for preserving the overall health and playability of the course.

The heart of the playability of our golf course lies in the management of irrigation and moisture levels in the soil. Various aspects of the game, such as the distance of ball roll on fairways, the speed of the greens during putting, and the greens' receptiveness to shots, are all heavily influenced by the amount of water in the soil. On newer greens, constructed in the early 90s and onwards, were built following USGA specifications, using sand as the root zone mixture. This sand-based approach allowed for proper drainage and moisture retention, ensuring that greens remain in good condition during both wet and dry periods.

However, over time, the buildup of organic matter and thatch in the green profile has made the greens spongier and harder to drain effectively. While we strive to provide optimal conditions by carefully monitoring moisture levels and minimizing water usage, some areas, particularly those with poor soil conditions, suffer from inconsistent results. Additionally, the turning of mowers on the edges of greens can cause compaction and stress on the turf, contributing to the issues faced by certain areas.

As we approach the fall, our focus will shift towards total golf course aerification. This critical process involves aggressive core removal and generous sand topdressing on greens, tees, fairways, and roughs to improve the turf's health and resilience. Although the impact may take time to fully materialize, this investment is vital for the long-term sustainability of our golf course. Core removal aerification helps to relieve compaction, increase soil oxygen levels, and enhance water penetration and root growth.

It is worth noting that aerification is not without its challenges. As much as we'd like to undertake more frequent and extensive aerification processes, we must strike a balance between necessary maintenance and providing optimal playing conditions for our members. Implementing a more aggressive schedule would lead to significant disruptions and inconvenience for golfers, and thus, we must carefully plan and strategize our aerification efforts to ensure a seamless transition.

For August, September, October, and November, we will continue regular golf course maintenance activities, such as mowing greens, tees, fairways, and roughs, as well as maintaining sand traps and landscape beds. During these months, the turfgrass typically experiences slowed growth, which allows us to reduce mowing frequency in certain areas while still maintaining playability.

Additionally, the winter months offer an ideal window for minor golf course renovations. These projects may include fairway and rough drainage installation, leveling tees, constructing new tees, relocating tee boxes, and enlarging tee surfaces. We also plan to address tree under brushing and perform any necessary minor infrastructure or fairway repairs, such as fixing stonewalls or edging of cart paths.

In conclusion, I am optimistic about the future of our golf course, as we continue to implement strategies and prioritize maintenance efforts to improve and sustain the health of our turf. Your support and understanding are vital in this endeavor, as we work tirelessly to provide the best possible golfing experience for our esteemed members. I am thankful for the opportunity to share these insights with you today, and I am more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Josh Laughridge
Director of Golf Maintenance