Greens

The greens here have always been a challenge to care for and generally behave unlike most other greens not only in the area but the midwest.  Many programs have been tried searching for that "silver bullet" that would ease their care yet produce fast, firm putting surfaces.  There are many products that are marketed as "cure alls", and many have been tried through the years.  Hardly a year has gone by where our greens management program has not been changed from the previous year no matter how successful that year was.  I guess you would say that perfection is being chased.

This past winter after attending two seminars and visiting numerous vendors at the Golf Industry Show, the decision to add one product and change the rate on another was made.  The product added is OARS or organic acid removal system.  Organic acid tends to coat individual sand particles in the greens mix making them repel water which is not a good thing and is the cause of most of our dry spots on the greens.  Application of OARS on a monthly basis is said to help prevent the sand medium from drying in spots.  The first application was made a couple of weeks ago and I would say that it is helping as I believe the greens are drying more on the surface (what is desired) while still holding moisture deeper in the sand where you want the  roots to be.  It is a new experience letting the surface dry (which allows for better putting).  In the past this would have caused numerous localized dry spots that would need hand watering.  It has not eliminated hand watering but it has reduced the need so far.

One green that has given us trouble in the past was the back right of #16.  Today I had Adam Hunerkoch put some plugs in a bare area there from the nursery green.  When cutting the bad area out, Adam noted that it felt like he was cutting through roots.  When he was finished he examined the soil taken from #16 green and found it contained a whole bunch of tree roots that I figure are from the sycamore behind the back bunker.  (See photo below)  Those roots are the cause of the turf loss but because of the proximity to the bunker and the green, root pruning might not be available.  That would mean removal would be the only remedy to the situation.

The other product that we tweaked in our program was the growth regulator Primo.  In the past the industry feeling was that the use of this product would help the bentgrass but also increase the poa annua (lighter green colored turf with seedheads).  New research out of Wisconsin shows that the benefits of Primo can be obtained without the negatives if the application timing is reduced to 200 GDD (growing degree days).  This was the course of action decided upon and it does seem to be working.  The poa annua is still seeding but the plant is diminished in size in relationship to the bentgrass.  One of the benefits of Primo is reduced need for water by the plant which may be helping to keep the surface drier.  The bentgrass is definitely finer textured with Primo which was one of the drawbacks with other growth regulators we have tried.  Unfortunately, applying by GDD has added more sprays to our routine.  Reviewing past weather records leads us to think that in the summer the Primo sprays will be once per week.  Every other week then it will be combined with our regular fungicide application easing the burden slightly.

The only disappointing feature of the greens since aeration has been the speed.  Now that mowing and rolling schedules are stabilizing, the speed has been consistently between the high 8's and middle 9's.  The target is between 9 and 10.5 so they are on the low end of spectrum.  One possible factor is one of the fungicides we regularly use.  It is an organic compound that seems to leave the leaf feeling sticky.  I think I can feel it on a golf ball for a couple of days after application.  Removal of this product from the application schedule may be tried in June to see if it really is having an effect on ball roll.  Overall, the texture and smoothness of the putting surfaces are good and continuing to improve each week.  If the surfaces can remain drier throughout the summer without massive hand watering and the speed can be tweaked slightly, then the goals for the year will be met.

mass of tree roots #16 green

Summer already?

With almost a week of sunny weather, the golf course is returning to normal.  The ground is drying up in most spots and we now know where more drainage needs to be added in the fairways.  From record rainfall we have emerged to record high temperatures.  Hopefully the temperatures are just a brief interlude before spring ( a normal one) arrives at least for a couple of weeks.

The bunkers continue to take the lion's share of the labor hours.  The load of bunker sand that was in the parking lot has been used in the bunkers for repair and probably at least two more will be needed to bring the depths back to normal.  Of course that is one more load than budgeted for and at this point the sand is unavailable because of flooding at the sand plant.

We are trying to get caught up this week in our applications but in reality it will take several weeks.  Greens were sprayed with a fungicide and Primo Monday.  Today the last of the tees and the greens surrounds and zoysia fairways were sprayed for large patch disease.  The bermuda is not sprayed as it will grow out of it quickly and it appears that is already happening.  Tomorrow if the wind is low enough, greens surrounds will have a herbicide applied for nutsedge and other weeds.  The wind has to be low though as we can not take a risk of the product drifting on to the greens.  This same product needs to be applied to fairways and they also need fertilizer and then a growth regulator application.  Look for  those to be done in the next couple of weeks.  That leaves broadleaf weed control for the rough and the clubhouse area.  When, I can not say but as soon as possible.

Details have been non existent the last several weeks and with most areas under some semblence of control, staff will be able to concentrate on them.  This includes trimming around trees, trimming around bunkers, trimming around ball washers, and trimming around the ponds.  Additionally the Har-Tru courts needs resurfacing and lining that is a two week process though not every day.  With a break from the heavy rains, we hope to start being able to meet our scheduled routines of turf care.  That should translate into a course that you will not be able to stay away from.

May Flowers?

April was an interesting month weather wise and not many people will be sad to see it leave.  An incredible amount of rain fell leaving the area threatened by floods and cowering with the next prospect of bad storms.  Fortunately, the Country Club of Paducah sits atop one of the highest pieces of property in the county and is not subject to floods like some of the other courses in the region.  Two weeks ago the National Weather Service warned that this weather pattern might persist for a month.  With a projected 3 to 5 inches over the next couple of days, there does not seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.

What does all this moisture mean for the turf?  In an ideal situation, soil is 50% solid and 50% pore space.  That pore space is then filled evenly with half air and half water.  That provides the best growing conditions for plants.  In reality, compaction (traffic by equipment or people) reduces the pore space to somewhere in the mid forties which is why aerification is necessary.  When the ground gets saturated like it has been lately, the air in the pore space is filled with water causing plants to look like they are drowning which they actually can be.  Plants do not only take in air through the leaves but also through the roots in the soil.  When there is nothing but water, the roots can not breathe and start to suffer.  Since spring is the major root growing season, having a period where the roots can not grow optimally but may actually be declining is not a great situation with the summer stress period looming. 

Another negative in saturated soil is its propensity to compact easily with traffic especially the native soils that tend to have fine clay particles.  They react just like molding clay would and when they dry, the pore space that has been lost does not come back without mechanical disruption or a freeze/thaw cycle.  Fortunately our greens growing medium is sandy and drains extremely well.  The rest of the course though needs to be protected as much as possible while still maintaining some semblence of a golf course.  Our mantra is to "do as little harm as possible".  That is why I have refrained from mowing fairways since the 21st and rough has only seen mowers one afternoon since then.  The turf is getting long especially in the rough but heights of cut can be raised and worked back down to normal when conditions allow.  If equipment is sent out and ruts are made, that damage will linger for a long time.  Sometimes the operation has to happen such as spraying of greens and we have to live with the damage that the sprayer makes in the rough or around the greens but generally caution rules.

Right now besides the grass getting tall and the weeds flourishing, my main concern is for the bunkers.  They are suffering mightily under the deluges.  With each heavy downpour more sand is washed and contaminated with the underlying soil further compromising the bunker's drainage capabilities.   Additionally, the contaminated sand needs to be removed and thrown away increasing the amount of new sand that needs to be added.  While the new sand has better drainage and staying capabilities, it is expensive and takes labor to get into the bunkers.  On several holes the sand has washed so badly that the gravel surrounding the drain pipe has been exposed and mixed with the sand and clay.  On #17 the wash was so extensive that about 10 feet of pipe was completely exposed and had to be removed, cleaned out and reset in new gravel.  Once the gravel becomes mixed with the sand it is very hard to clean and the only real remedy is to remove all the sand.  This a tough situation, but rest assured we are trying our best.

On a cheerful note, the greens continue to roll smoother each day despite the fact that we have not been able to topdress and rolling has been mimimal.  The growth regulator Primo is slowing growth, tightening the turf, and creating a plant that has less resistance to rolling.  The trick has been to stay on schedule with the applications and if the weather patterns continues that may become the limiting factor.  Will May's flowers be as abundant as April's showers?  I have no clue but know that whatever is thrown at us by Mother Nature will be dealt with.  See you on the course hopefully needing sunscreen.

Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head

When I decided to write this blog, I thought maybe every week would be the correct timing.  Last week my computer decided to show me who was the boss.  On Friday it sent my green committee agenda into cyberspace never to be seen again as I was trying to print it.  Saturday morning as I was going to write this blog, it locked up and I spent all my writing time trying to figure out what went wrong.  Hopefully it has accepted my apologies and will be my friend again.

The National Weather Service says we are stuck in this pattern where about twice a week a front comes in and causes abundant rain and some severe weather.  According to their predictions this pattern may last two to four weeks.  It may get worse as folk lore tells us that if it rains on Easter, it will rain for six weekends in a row.  With a better than even chance of rain for Easter this Sunday, I do not want to even contemplate the ramifications.

With the abundant moisture and mostly above normal temperatures, the golf course has blossomed early this year.  The tees and fairways are way ahead and look good when we can get them mowed.  Herbicide applications are lagging behind on these areas and a few weeds are showing through but not too bad except around the tees.  The new collars expansions around the greens are adapting to their new cutting height and losing that "wow, I just got buzzed look".  The rough is loving the moisture and is growing like a weed and generally outpacing our best effort to keep it under control.  Equipment malfunctions are not helping the matter but Mother Nature has been more of a limiting factor.  The bunkers are just not very good right now.  The heavy rains wash the sand off the faces, contaminating the sand with soil and debris, and clogging the drainage tiles.  Some weeks the cycle is repeated even before we have a chance to move the sand back onto the faces.  It is frustrating for the grounds staff but not a new problem.  Some years it just doesn't rain heavily but it seems this year every rain is going to be a gully washer.  The remedy is to renovate each bunker making sure the drainage functions properly, install a liner/barrier to protect the drainage and the sand from outside contamination, and then refill with fresh, clean sand.  In the interim staff removes contaminated sand, fixes the washouts and as time allows adds fresh sand.

The programs for the greens are slowly beginning to come together and produce the quality surfaces desired.  It has been hard to keep to the schedules with the weather and staff training, but the greens are starting to respond to the growth regulator application of 10 days ago.  It will be time for another application on Monday.  As the turf slows its vertical growth and topdressing is added weekly, the surface becomes smoother and less resistant to ball roll.  Throw in rolling and mowing and with luck the greens will become the object of much conversation among golfers.

There is much for us to do to catch back up but the weather forecast does not sound promising for this weekend into next week.  There are herbicide applications to be made both in the fairways and rough along with fertilizer treatments for the fairways.  Our new golf cart policy was unveiled last Tuesday and it promptly stormed overnight and carts have been restricted to paths since.  The early feedback on the new policy was positive and I observed good compliance with it that day.  (The pro shop is handling the implementation of the new rules.)  Hopefully this new idea will help protect the turf and create better playing conditions for you.  The sun has come out now as all green side bunkers have been shoveled just in time for the possible severe storms tonight.  Maybe the area will catch a break but either way we will cope with whatever Mother Nature throws us as we try to provide you with great playing conditions.

Augusta

Its the end of the first week of April and that can only mean that the Masters is being played and all eyes are upon possibly the most beautiful setting in golf (at least in April).  Television does not do it justice, it must be experienced.  Every detail has been attended to and even non golfers can appreciate the majesty of Augusta National.

Meanwhile back at the Country Club of Paducah another week has gone by without a frost that could damage the bermudagrass.  Unfortunately, because it came out so early, the cool temperatures the end of March have made the plants very cautious and even though the temperatures have been warm for the last week, the bermuda has yet to show much enthusiasm.  It is perking up though and hopefully it will decide that the time for growing is now.  Next week we hope to further encourage it by fertilizing it.  The practice tee was fertilized today and mowed too and the plan is to open the back tee on opening day next weekend.  That is also the day we hope to remove the golf car restrictions and start implementing the new golf car control policy.  The golf shop will have information for each group detailing the new methodology.

The greens continue to recover from aeration just not as quickly as I had hoped.  It probably has something to do with the topdressing being a week behind the aeration but separating the two allowed us to not get too much sand on the greens at one time.  Sand pickup by the mowers should be almost finished which will allow daily mowing to occur along with daily rolling.  Next week will see a growth regulator application made that should improve the stress tolerance of the turf, create a more uniform surface, and increase the ball roll after several applications.  While there are no illusions that these greens will ever be like Augusta National's during the Masters, I think we are on the path to creating fun, fast, and firm putting surfaces for your everyday enjoyment.

If you have been on the course you may have noticed some new faces on the staff.  They are being trained as quickly as possible but it usually takes a couple of weeks to get new employees up to speed.  As greens and tees are usually mowed with these seasonal staff members,  our frequency has lagged because while training it takes twice as many people to accomplish said task.  Balancing all the plates on the tray can be quite a challenge especially when the rains destroy the bunkers several weeks in a row.  They are now all fixed at least until the next storm.  We have yet to find the time to add the new improved sand but we have not forgotten it.  The rough looks better each day and for the most part the mowers have been able to keep up.

Other little items slowing down our accomplishments have been one of the rough mowers breaking down, the sprayer breaking down, and the irrigation system operating spasmodically.  Between these occurrances and training new people and watching The Masters, one can feel totally inadequate.  But we will continue to give the college try and I know that it is only a matter of time before all plans will come together and we will present you with a course you will not be able to stay away from. 

April Showers?

March has ended like a lion on an eight day cold spell that has sent the bermuda into retreat.  What looked promising three weeks ago for early green up has eroded into just being a little ahead of normal.  You may notice that some of the bermuda leaves have turned a purplish color in response to the cold and wet weather.  Hopefully there will be some sunny days in the next couple of weeks with not so cold nights that will allow the turf to at least come completely out of dormancy.  When the weather is right, it will be fertilized with a fast acting nitrogen source to further speed the recovery from winter.

February and March gave us abundant moisture and now we enter the two wettest months of the year.  It is a change from the past couple of years but does add complications to bringing the course up to speed.  Already it kept us from making a dormant weed control application to bermuda and zoysia and continues to keep us from making an alternate application.  Gazing into the crystal weather ball shows that application may get made this coming week around the tees and bunkers where the broadleaf weeds are the thickest.  The weather has certainly played havoc with the bunkers and staff is about to get all of them back in shape for the impending storms headed our way on Monday.  New sand has arrived and as our staff grows to full strength, it will be added where necessary.

Aeration of greens is done but the process is not finished.  Once again the weather slowed us down.  That coupled with the fact that staff is short, caused a change in the process to occur.  We concentrated on the aeration and the cleanup of cores pulled and then worked at brushing the material that fell off the cores back into the holes.  No new topdressing has been added yet leaving many holes unfilled.  Topdressing will be added this week and worked in.  Doing it this way actually may work better as we do not have equipment that does a good job of incorporating alot of material at one time (hence why we wanted to demo the Sweep N Fill machine).  Separating the topdressing from the aeration will allow our equipment to better incorporate the topdressing.  It may slow the healing process slightly but the weather has already slowed the whole operation down with the rain and lack of sun last week.  Another distressing factor was the malfunction of the irrigation system that inexpliciably ran on #16 green when it was covered with cores delaying the cleaning by a full day.

April is a busy month with not only bringing the course back but readying the outdoor tennis courts for usuage and training the new staff members that have been hired.  In addition a new work schedule is being implemented and the bugs have to be worked out of it.  Am I hoping for a dry April?  No, but normal would suit me just fine.  Anyway, the challenges are before us and now it is time to get cracking and produce.  See you in the sun on the course.