The summer of 2009 finally arrived in August, and proved to be a challenging month for both your golf course and our staff. The combination of typical summer heat and humidity proved to be quite stressful for plants because of low August rainfall, combined with a prolonged battle against different diseases present because of earlier wet conditions. Two near misses from potentially damaging Hurricanes Bill and Danny added to our anxiety a bit late in the month. Sincere thanks to Meteorologist and Potowomut member Herb Stevens for many daily updates relating to both storms, as well as his valuable weekly updates throughout the year that he sends us at no charge.
All turf areas have performed quite well during the season to date. We worked this year to increase green speed and consistency, along with improved mowing practices for better fairways. Also, growth regulation programs continue to be fine tuned for Potowomut; greens and fairways were improved due to these programs as well. Roughs continue to improve because applied fertilizers work more efficiently due to our established liming programs. I would be remiss however, if we didn't mention that rough improvement was also due to ample rainfall that fell during May, June and July.
LINES ON FAIRWAYS
On fairways 15-18, you may have seen a 4" to 6" band of turf that appears in long lines up and down those fairways. (See picture below) This was caused by a single nozzle from the fairway sprayer that was spraying too much chemical in an incorrect pattern. The growth regulator herbicide that caused the damage is applied in very small amounts; this over-application actually removed the Poa annua (Annual Bluegrass) from these bands. What we are seeing is darker green colored ryegrass now dominated these areas, with no lighter colored annual bluegrass present. Potowomut fairways are comprised of many different grass species including perennial ryegrass, creeping bentgrass, colonial bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrasses, and fescues. We did catch problem after applying a single tank of the material. I expect these lines will not stand out as much during the future as the annual bluegrass will again invade these areas.
AERATION
As August departs, and with it the severe weather that stresses turfgrass, we immediately begin to prepare golf surfaces for next season. To legally assist the turf get as tough as a well trained athlete, we begin aeration programs. Aeration returns needed oxygen to soils, helps to relieve compaction and removes a thatch layer that slows or stops water, fertilizers and pesticides from entering. We will complete tees, green collars and approaches during the month, and will begin fairways during September as well. On some fairways we will pull a soil core, on fairways where rocky soils are present, we will only poke a hole with a solid tine to save our equipment.
As Shawn mentioned in an email last week, greens will be aerated beginning October 13th. We are planning on aerating with three methods between that date and October 23rd. The three methods are conventional aeration with a 5/8" tine, deep tine and sand injection aeration. We perform one operation, while contractors get the other two done for us. Greens need each of these programs this fall so they can perform as we expect them to during 2010.
PARKING LOT
On Wednesday, September 9th, a contractor will apply a asphalt based material to fill cracks in our parking lot. They will arrive early during the day and try to get parking areas closest to the clubhouse completed. However, we may need to direct some members to park in unconventional areas (maintenance shop, 10th rough, areas near the big rock on 13) so we may efficiently get the work done. We will be there to direct you that morning. Thanks for understanding!!
