A few weeks ago we tried out a greens roller. It would be very nice to have this tool to use on the golf course. Unfortunately at this time we have much more vital equipment needs. If we ever have greens rollers at Kenmure, I would like to have something like this.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Understanding Brown Fairways
Maintaining bentgrass fairways in the southeast has always been a challenge during the hot and humid summer months of July and August. Bentgrass is a cool season turfgrass that prefers cool temperatures and moist soils. Bentgrass is an excellent selection for fairways, greens, and tees becuase of its fine leaf texture and its tolerance to low mowing heights. Kenmure Country Club is one of a very limited number of golf courses this far South that maintains bentgrass fairways. Having bentgrass fairways in this climate should be considered a luxury and something that we should all be proud of and try to protect. I am sure everyone is curious about all the brown and dead spots that are occuring around the golf course and I will do my best to explain what is currently happening. There is no single thing that causes the damage but rather a number of different factors that all add up to what we a currently experiencing.
Air and Soil Temperature
Bentgrass is not an extremely heat tolerant plant. Air and soil temperatures above 90 degrees destroys the root systems and stops all shoot growth. This leaves the plant unable to recover from any damages until the heat subsides and moderate temperatures return. During the last few weeks we have had soils temperatures between 94-98 degrees. The optimum soil temperature for bentgrass root growth is between 60-75 degrees, with 50% root loss occuring at 75-77 degrees, and growth limiting temperatures after 80 degrees.
Rainfall, Humidity, and Air Movement
During the month of July we were not able to control the amount of moisture in the soil. We recieved rainfall so many times in July we only had to run our irrigation system a few times. We applied the lowest amount of water to the golf course in July using the irrigation system then we have ever done in the past 5 years. The high humidity during the past month made it very difficult for the plant to cool itself off. The humidity combined with areas on the golf course that have little air movement also contributed greatly to the stress. Fairways like 16 and 17 are in sunken pockets that swelter in the stagnant air.
Disease Pressure
We invest 45% of our operating expenses into chemicals to control various turf diseases. This is an absolute neccesity with bentgrass. To make matters worse, the majority of our rough is also bentgrass which needs to be sprayed with regular frequency or it will suffer greatly. Heat, moisture, and humidity are the three major factors that influence turfgrass diseases. Treating 40 acres of bentgrass through this difficult time is a huge and very expensive challenge. During this summer period of high stress it becomes very difficult for the grass to recuperate when it becomes diseased. An ugly area of turgrass that would normally heal in a weeks time after being sprayed in the spring and fall will not bounce back at all in the summer period until the high temperatures subside.
Cultural Practices
The greens and tees are mowed lower, cut with more frequency, and are drier than the fairways. Why do they all look fine and some fairways look bad? The answer is simple, it is all due to the cultural practices we apply to the greens. This means spraying chemicals at a closer interval, aerifying and topdressing twice a year, and watering them mostly by hand. We apply these practices to the fairways, but in nowhere near the same volume. It is also very important to note that the greens and tees where constructed with river sand that gives them better drainage and an overall better growing medium for the plant.
Traffic Management
Soil compaction is a major factor in the healthy growth of bentgrass. Compaction is one the reasons it is very important to aerify in the spring and fall. Cart traffic causes a large amount of compaction and wear to the fairways. We attempt to manage traffic with signs and cart path only days. The effects of cart traffic generally go unnoticed in the spring and fall when the bentgrass plant is not stressed and growing normally. The combined wear from the entire year brings its heaviest toll during the summer months, in particular when we have days with air temperatures in the 90's. It becomes a very difficult situation because it is on these hot days when people need to drive to their ball the most.
Root Inhibition
A secondary factor that increases the difficulty of plant recuperation during summer stress periods is root growth inhibition from the chemical we use in the spring to control the crabgrass and goosegrass populations. These chemicals do not hurt the growth of any exisiting root structures, but do inhibit the growth of new roots in the areas that need to heal.
Final Thoughts
As you can now see there are many facets to understanding the underlying causes of brown turf. We experience brown areas of bentgrass during the hottest parts of the summer every year here at Kenmure. Most of these spots will heal on their own once we get into the fall, some will require seeding or sodding. 10 out 12 months we have a favorable climate to support healthy bentgrass, its is only a short window where we are at the mercy of mother nature. There is no single tailored solution or action plan to deal with these conditions as no two summers are alike and conditions can vary greatly from week to week or even from day to day. It would be wonderful to be able to go home from work at night and come back to the same golf course I had left the night before, but this is almost never the case during anytime of the year. Thank you for your continued support of the golf course and I hope you enjoy the rest of the season.
Air and Soil Temperature
Bentgrass is not an extremely heat tolerant plant. Air and soil temperatures above 90 degrees destroys the root systems and stops all shoot growth. This leaves the plant unable to recover from any damages until the heat subsides and moderate temperatures return. During the last few weeks we have had soils temperatures between 94-98 degrees. The optimum soil temperature for bentgrass root growth is between 60-75 degrees, with 50% root loss occuring at 75-77 degrees, and growth limiting temperatures after 80 degrees.
Rainfall, Humidity, and Air Movement
During the month of July we were not able to control the amount of moisture in the soil. We recieved rainfall so many times in July we only had to run our irrigation system a few times. We applied the lowest amount of water to the golf course in July using the irrigation system then we have ever done in the past 5 years. The high humidity during the past month made it very difficult for the plant to cool itself off. The humidity combined with areas on the golf course that have little air movement also contributed greatly to the stress. Fairways like 16 and 17 are in sunken pockets that swelter in the stagnant air.
Disease Pressure
We invest 45% of our operating expenses into chemicals to control various turf diseases. This is an absolute neccesity with bentgrass. To make matters worse, the majority of our rough is also bentgrass which needs to be sprayed with regular frequency or it will suffer greatly. Heat, moisture, and humidity are the three major factors that influence turfgrass diseases. Treating 40 acres of bentgrass through this difficult time is a huge and very expensive challenge. During this summer period of high stress it becomes very difficult for the grass to recuperate when it becomes diseased. An ugly area of turgrass that would normally heal in a weeks time after being sprayed in the spring and fall will not bounce back at all in the summer period until the high temperatures subside.
Cultural Practices
The greens and tees are mowed lower, cut with more frequency, and are drier than the fairways. Why do they all look fine and some fairways look bad? The answer is simple, it is all due to the cultural practices we apply to the greens. This means spraying chemicals at a closer interval, aerifying and topdressing twice a year, and watering them mostly by hand. We apply these practices to the fairways, but in nowhere near the same volume. It is also very important to note that the greens and tees where constructed with river sand that gives them better drainage and an overall better growing medium for the plant.
Traffic Management
Soil compaction is a major factor in the healthy growth of bentgrass. Compaction is one the reasons it is very important to aerify in the spring and fall. Cart traffic causes a large amount of compaction and wear to the fairways. We attempt to manage traffic with signs and cart path only days. The effects of cart traffic generally go unnoticed in the spring and fall when the bentgrass plant is not stressed and growing normally. The combined wear from the entire year brings its heaviest toll during the summer months, in particular when we have days with air temperatures in the 90's. It becomes a very difficult situation because it is on these hot days when people need to drive to their ball the most.
Root Inhibition
A secondary factor that increases the difficulty of plant recuperation during summer stress periods is root growth inhibition from the chemical we use in the spring to control the crabgrass and goosegrass populations. These chemicals do not hurt the growth of any exisiting root structures, but do inhibit the growth of new roots in the areas that need to heal.
Final Thoughts
As you can now see there are many facets to understanding the underlying causes of brown turf. We experience brown areas of bentgrass during the hottest parts of the summer every year here at Kenmure. Most of these spots will heal on their own once we get into the fall, some will require seeding or sodding. 10 out 12 months we have a favorable climate to support healthy bentgrass, its is only a short window where we are at the mercy of mother nature. There is no single tailored solution or action plan to deal with these conditions as no two summers are alike and conditions can vary greatly from week to week or even from day to day. It would be wonderful to be able to go home from work at night and come back to the same golf course I had left the night before, but this is almost never the case during anytime of the year. Thank you for your continued support of the golf course and I hope you enjoy the rest of the season.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
High Soil Temperatures Kill Bentgrass
We are currently in a period of extreme heat stress on the golf course. The high soil temperatures are ranging from 95-98 degrees F. The lethal soil temperature is between 100-110 degrees. Bentgrass is a cool season grass that is incapable of cooling itself through its own means at these temperatures.
Thermometer is blurry but is reading close to 98 degrees :
The facts on the bentgrass plant :
Some of the results :
Thermometer is blurry but is reading close to 98 degrees :
The facts on the bentgrass plant :
Some of the results :
Friday, July 29, 2011
Extreme Heat / Wet Conditions Causing Damage
The time of year I dread all season is now upon us. The thunderstorms and cloudy afternoons were a welcome blessing when they started to occur earlier in the month. They provided nice moisture and great cloud cover to protect us from the sun. The course recieved rainfall so many days in July that running the automated irrigation was only neccessary a few times. The soil moisture became unmanagable and the last 3 days we have had 90+ degrees afternoon temperatures. This weather has severely impacted a few of our fairways, most notably are 16, 14, and 13. We have aerified these fairways and that will help them get more oxygen.
The bentgrass plant cannot tolerate these conditions and are in decline all over the golf course. The root systems are dying back and will become more difficult to manage as the season continues. It is very difficult to watch this happen to the grass. I appreciate everyone staying on the cart paths until these high temperature days go away.
The bentgrass plant cannot tolerate these conditions and are in decline all over the golf course. The root systems are dying back and will become more difficult to manage as the season continues. It is very difficult to watch this happen to the grass. I appreciate everyone staying on the cart paths until these high temperature days go away.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
GCSAA News Release
I just got this email from the GCSAA.
News Release
July 25, 2011
Contact: Jeff Bollig, GCSAA Communications Sr. Director
jbollig@gcsaa.org, 800-472-7878
Superintendents dealing with extreme conditions again this year
Persistent heat, drought and flooding strain golf courses nationally
Extended periods of excessive heat, widespread moderate to severe drought, and pockets of flooding have beset golf courses for the second consecutive year, putting a strain on revenues, golfers and the professionals who manage the game's playing fields – golf course superintendents.
"We saw widespread turf loss last year, and the feedback from our members is that this year has the potential to be as severe," Golf Course Superintendents Association of America President Bob Randquist, certified golf course superintendent at Boca Rio Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla., said.
Researchers, university extension agents and golf course superintendents agreed that the conditions last summer were the worst in decades in terms of the geographic scope, Randquist said. The impact of this year's weather – although not as widespread – will not be determined for a few weeks, but he indicated superintendents are pulling out all the stops to counter the wrath of Mother Nature.
Superintendents have implemented a variety of management practices such as reducing green speeds by raising cutting heights and rolling less frequently; less mowing frequency; restricting cart traffic; increased hand watering; reducing/postponing verticutting and topdressing activities; if aerifying, doing so with small tines; and reducing of fertilization programs.
"The simple fact is the cool-season turfgrasses such as bentgrass, fescue, bluegrass, annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and others are stressed with sustained high temperatures and humidity," Randquist said. "Golf courses in many parts of the country experience this every year, however what made the situation so dire last year and now have been the high levels of extended heat and humidity, and the sizeable part of the country affected.
"Certainly homeowners, athletic fields and businesses suffer turfgrass damage brought on by these kinds of conditions. What makes it more difficult for golf facilities are the mowing heights are much lower and traffic is much heavier. That just adds to the stress on the turfgrass."
Also unknown is what the final impact of flooding will be. Some courses were under water for extended periods of time so the turf started the season already in a compromised position.
Randquist also cautioned golfers from thinking that water, whether from rain or irrigation, is the answer to the ills. There is a difference between heat stress and drought stress. Adequate irrigation will alleviate drought stress. Adequate irrigation will not alleviate heat stress. It is not only possible, but likely, for a turfgrass plant to be adequately watered and still suffer from heat stress under extended periods of high temperatures.
Randquist urged golfers and leaders at golf facilities not to panic. Every golf course is unique and thus reacts to the weather extremes differently. Variations in soil conditions, air movement, shade, water quality and availability, and budget make course comparisons a dangerous proposition.
"We know the weather conditions will become more agreeable," Randquist said. "What is important right now is to manage the golf course in a manner so that turf can be kept alive until that point. Pushing turf too hard might result in longer term damage."
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 19,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association's philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
News Release
July 25, 2011
Contact: Jeff Bollig, GCSAA Communications Sr. Director
jbollig@gcsaa.org, 800-472-7878
Superintendents dealing with extreme conditions again this year
Persistent heat, drought and flooding strain golf courses nationally
Extended periods of excessive heat, widespread moderate to severe drought, and pockets of flooding have beset golf courses for the second consecutive year, putting a strain on revenues, golfers and the professionals who manage the game's playing fields – golf course superintendents.
"We saw widespread turf loss last year, and the feedback from our members is that this year has the potential to be as severe," Golf Course Superintendents Association of America President Bob Randquist, certified golf course superintendent at Boca Rio Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla., said.
Researchers, university extension agents and golf course superintendents agreed that the conditions last summer were the worst in decades in terms of the geographic scope, Randquist said. The impact of this year's weather – although not as widespread – will not be determined for a few weeks, but he indicated superintendents are pulling out all the stops to counter the wrath of Mother Nature.
Superintendents have implemented a variety of management practices such as reducing green speeds by raising cutting heights and rolling less frequently; less mowing frequency; restricting cart traffic; increased hand watering; reducing/postponing verticutting and topdressing activities; if aerifying, doing so with small tines; and reducing of fertilization programs.
"The simple fact is the cool-season turfgrasses such as bentgrass, fescue, bluegrass, annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and others are stressed with sustained high temperatures and humidity," Randquist said. "Golf courses in many parts of the country experience this every year, however what made the situation so dire last year and now have been the high levels of extended heat and humidity, and the sizeable part of the country affected.
"Certainly homeowners, athletic fields and businesses suffer turfgrass damage brought on by these kinds of conditions. What makes it more difficult for golf facilities are the mowing heights are much lower and traffic is much heavier. That just adds to the stress on the turfgrass."
Also unknown is what the final impact of flooding will be. Some courses were under water for extended periods of time so the turf started the season already in a compromised position.
Randquist also cautioned golfers from thinking that water, whether from rain or irrigation, is the answer to the ills. There is a difference between heat stress and drought stress. Adequate irrigation will alleviate drought stress. Adequate irrigation will not alleviate heat stress. It is not only possible, but likely, for a turfgrass plant to be adequately watered and still suffer from heat stress under extended periods of high temperatures.
Randquist urged golfers and leaders at golf facilities not to panic. Every golf course is unique and thus reacts to the weather extremes differently. Variations in soil conditions, air movement, shade, water quality and availability, and budget make course comparisons a dangerous proposition.
"We know the weather conditions will become more agreeable," Randquist said. "What is important right now is to manage the golf course in a manner so that turf can be kept alive until that point. Pushing turf too hard might result in longer term damage."
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 19,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association's philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hydraulic hose burst on #1 approach
Equipment operators are trained to spot leaks and move the equipment off the turf as soon as they can. Even when spotted quickly the hot oil can damage turf very fast. The injury can be avoided my using mowers with electric reels.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Cicada Killer Wasps
Do not fear the Cicada killer wasp. It is a very non aggressive wasp that will not sting you. They make their homes in borrows around a few of the bunkers on the golf course. We first start to see them every year during the first few weeks of July.
They will not sting you, even if you provoke them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)