GOLF has been GREEN for a long time....

We have again added bales of barley straw to the ponds on 2 and 18. Some biologists observe that barley straw's presence can reduce the populations of certain types of algae growing in ponds and waterways. Apparently, as it degrades, a chemical is released that hampers algae growth.

The rough has been in many conversations this spring. We won't further delve into the severity of the rough at this time. However, because of the health of the rough, a significant positive change can be reported and celebrated.

First, a little background information is needed.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly management method for maintaining plants (and golf courses) that relies on less dependence of pesticides, irrigation water, fertilizers or any artificial methods that aids plant health. The IPM philosophy says that healthy soils will produce healthy plants that can withstand stresses from insects, disease, heat, drought and weed invasions. We employ IPM ideas constantly to give us a healthier golf course, a golf course that uses less inputs of pesticides and irrigation water than if not under IPM management.

We have touched on these IPM ideas previously without actually identifying them as IPM. Discussions that have centered on improving soil's health by adding lime and deficient nutrients is straight out of the IPM handbook, as healthier soils will support stronger, more reliable turfgrass with fewer inputs. Aerification of turf areas is an IPM method that provides air for improved soil/oxygen exchange. Providing the sharpest cutting blades for the cleanest cut prevents disease from entering poorly mowed leaf blades is IPM. Barley straw in ponds, rolling greens, thatch removal, using sand topdressing, and increasing sunlight penetration for turfgrass are all methods of Integrated Pest Management employed that lessen dependence on pesticides, fertilizers and water. (I could write for hours about how we use the IPM philosophy to manage Potowomut.)

Back to my original point, my apologies as I seemed to have wandered a bit.

Turfgrass in the rough is greatly improved after applying appropriate fertilizers the last few years as directed by Soil Scientists as a result of soil testing. During 2009, much less herbicide (weed killer) has been utilized to eliminate weeds, simply because there are fewer of them. IPM says healthier soils will provide stronger turfgrass plants that will choke out weed plants and their lateral movement, slow or stop germination of new weed seeds, and we are seeing those benefits this spring.

Ramblings

Thursday's miscellaneous ramblings....

Today we applied to fairways sulfate of potash fertilizer, with an analysis of 0-0-50 (the numerical analysis refers to amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, listed as a percentage of weight in each bag.) Potassium helps prepare turf for the stresses of summer heat and drought. Research shows that potassium helps to toughen plants by strengthening plant's cell walls, improve the plant's response to disease potential, and also helps plants to use water as efficiently as possible. Fertilizer particles will slowly degrade during summer, allowing plants to uptake the nutrient when it is needed most. Potassium was applied to greens and tees last week.

Also applied this week were soil deficient nutrients manganese, magnesium and calcium to greens and tees, and a complete fertilizer to practice tees (30-5-10.)

You may notice some darker green streaks on putting greens this week. The streaks were caused by overlapping sprayer passes of a nitrogen based fertilizer applied last week. I expect these streaks to disappear early next week.

To improve 60 yards of right side rough on #7, two sprinkler heads at 145 and 168 yards were changed in irrigation programs this week. Instead of running infrequently as rough heads, they will now run more often since we designated them as fairway heads in the computer.

We hope to see you out tomorrow, or during the holiday weekend!!!

ROUGH

Admittedly, the rough has been extra penal this spring. Sincere apologies from your golf course staff. Let me explain why the grass is extra long and feisty and tell you what is being done.

Let's start with a mini review of the problems with rough's soils.
1. Rough soils are extremely deficient in many important nutrients. Soils are deficient in plant available calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Soil pH is low, as are soluble salts. In summary, the supply in the soil for plant available soluble nutrients, or put another way, the amount of "gas in the soil's tank" for proper turfgrass growth is on empty. Let me provide quotes from March 2009 soil reports provided us by Harris Labs of Lincoln, NE.
a. "Immediate attention is required. Root growth has stopped...resistance to heat stress is poor, and membrane function is failing."
b. "Plant functions are in jeopardy of failing. Stomate (a plant cooling mechanism) is minimal so expect poor movement of water and nutrient throughout the plant."

To correct soil nutrient deficiencies, applications of proper fertilizer materials have been made, both last fall and again this spring. As these materials are slowly released to soils, plants are using them. Turfgrass in the rough is reacting positively or negatively, depending on your point of view, by actively growing with increased vigor during April and May.

Obviously, our long term goal is to improve the chemistry of rough soils. When soil can provide the nutrients plants need when they are needed, the rough can perform by providing an excellent playing surface for our members and guests.

Combined with fertility, the wet spring also aided aggressive growth of rough turf. 7.78" of rain has fallen on Potowomut since April 2, twice the normal amount.

We have two employees who each mow rough almost 40 hours each week. On Monday, we usually begin mowing rough on #11. Going in order they complete the rest of the back nine by Wednesday, and mow holes 1 through 10 Thursday and Friday. Each week, the rough is mowed once. Rough height differs depending on what day it is mowed.

Finally, both mowers' height of cut was lowered a half inch today. This adjustment should improve the situation a bit. We also plan on adding a third machine as time permits. We will do our best to continue knocking down the rough through May and June, when warmer weather should begin to slow growth.

May 8

Just a few notes from the week:

Greens spiking is nearly complete. Only #7 green remains to be done next week. This spiking process took the place of the heavy duty aerification and topdressing we normally do in early May. We spiked all greens in two directions, using our John Deere aerators set up with a slim "bayonet" shaped tine. We did not pull a soil core this spring, the spiking opens up the greens to improve soil and oxygen exchange.

For members who have not seen the greens since spiking, the surface disruption was minimal during this process. Greens are putting close to normal as of Friday evening.

We installed tournament cup liners today. The cup lines is an insert that sits on top of the cup, and simulates the painted cup look common on televised tournaments. Let us know if you like them...or not!!

Rough is extremely penal this spring, due our very wet spring and plenty of soil fertility. 7.63" of rainfall has fallen on our weather station since April 2nd. Waterlogged soil combined with 55 tons of lime and a nitrogen based fertilizer application to the rough last December are responsible. Growth should even out during the next three weeks.

All pre-emergent crabgrass applications are complete, as is a plant protectant applied to control Hyperoides Weevils, a potentially destructive root and crown munching small insect.

Play well!!!