Some people have heard me say that I am never happy with the weather between May and November. That statement is untrue, as I was thrilled with the rainfall we received last Saturday night. As the precipitation continued on Sunday and Monday, I again turned anti-weather thinking of possible disease outbreaks caused by excessive soil moisture.
We went through an very hot and dry period from July 14 until August 6. In July, the irrigation system pumped 5.11 million gallons, the most ever in a month at Potowomut. (Some was used to water in July grub insecticide applications.) Increased heat promotes more damaging turf diseases to all areas as parts of two fairways were hit with minor outbreaks of pythium blight, a turf killer that visits Rhode Island only once or twice in ten years because of continued 95 to 100 degree heat needed for its development. Lower temperatures and fungicide applications stopped its progression but some damage was done on 7, 14 and 15. Patch diseases were also seen on fairways despite three preventative fungicide applications.
With cooler temperatures of late August approaching, the golf course is poised to be in great condition for fall golf. Thin areas of intermediate rough will be seeded soon, as will areas of 14 fairway. Greens will pick up significant speed with lower height of cut and cooler morning temperatures. Fall greens aeration doesn't happen until October 4th or 5th, so September will be a great month to enjoy your golf course.
If you haven't, please sign up in for the Green Committee's "Adopt a Hole" program. You can sign up on Foretees or in the Pro Shop for a single hole that you and your family would take a few extra minutes and repair ballmarks, replace or seed divots in fairways, or rake a bunker needing attention during your round. Thanks!!!
Follow us on twitter at PotoGreens!!
Tidbits.....Insecticide applications (greens, tees, fairways and roughs) for grubs were completed on August 3rd...Nematode counts are WAY down in samples sent to UMASS this year; experimental control methods seem to be working. Many reports of courses in the Northeast are seeing high populations this year....Pumped 11 million gallons of irrigation water through August 11....Diesel engine in the rough mower failed and is being rebuilt; we are renting the machine we are using now....Thanks to Mike Kirejczyk and Matt LaCroix for their efforts this summer as they return to college....
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
July Update
Greens held up very well during extra stresses placed on them during the 106th Rhode Island Amateur. In preparation for the event, greens were topdressed and groomed numerous times. (Grooming, a less aggressive form of verticutting, helps grass blades stand straight up, as opposed to laying over as they prefer, adding ball roll distance.) Water and fertilizers were held back. Each morning of the event, greens were double mowed at our lowest height of cut and rolled twice a day. Turf was under stress, yet performed very well. Thanks to Steven Willand Equipment of Brookfield CT for letting us borrow equipment we needed for the event!! Also, thanks to Assistant Superintendent Dan Virgulak and our wonderful staff of professionals who again went above and beyond what was asked for. You guys rock.
As your Golf Course Superintendent, our stated goals are to provide season long reliable and consistent putting surfaces for members and guests. On small (average size 4111 sq ft) Poa annua and bentgrass greens in our climate, numerous environmental issues are always in play to kill turfgrass from May through September including turfgrass disease, root eating nematodes, golfer foot traffic, insects, heat and humidity. The faster the greens, the more prone we are to turf damage and death from the above factors. Trying to add six to nine inches of stimp meter speed is not worth risking severe decline in greens' quality or the significant higher expense involved. My fellow colleague Steve Kurta uses a turf roller at the private club where he works with the phrase "Speed Kills" prominently displayed. Steve's roller speaks the truth!
BUNKER RAKE CHANGE
Beginning this week, the Greens Committee asks you to place bunker rakes INSIDE bunkers, instead of outside. Please put rakes inside the bunkers, parallel to the bunker edge on the low side of bunkers. The Committee feels it will be easier to locate rakes that are inside bunkers.
NEMATODES
We are one of a few northern courses experimenting with a new control product for nematodes, with the financial help of supplier Agrium Inc. Nematodes are small soil pests that feed on and eliminate turfgrass roots quickly during warm summer months. Today,(Wednesday) soil samples were pulled to determine nematode counts before Agrium's MultiGuard was applied to 15 green. We will sample Friday to again count nematodes to determine the product's effectiveness. (Samples will be sent to the University of Massachusetts Nematology lab where technicians physically count how many nematodes are in each sample.)
We will keep you informed how well the product is performing, or join me and observe the 15th green's turfgrass quality as you play the next few weeks!! (15 green has the highest nematode populations of all 19 greens, similar to China of world population)
COURSE UPKEEP
Finally, as we get further into the summer, we need your help to maintain your golf course. Ballmarks on greens become an issue the further we get into summer. Always repair your ballmark plus one other. Please view the following link which shows the proper method to repair a ball mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NiBpLs5n7I&feature=player_detailpage
Bunkers are also an area where you can help. Here is a link that shows how to properly rake a bunker. Hopefully, we don't hit into too many bunkers during a single round, but the time you take to rake a bunker affects the golf course for future players. Also, notice that the gentleman uses two hands, as a one handed bunker raker cannot provide a quality surface under any circumstance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYITPB28Ag
Also thanks again to everyone who uses sand and seed bottles on fairways. I truly believe we have one of the best programs in the country for sanding and seeding divots and am heart warmed by our membership's grasp of the program. Please remember however, we prefer you replace a turf divot versus using the sand and seed, as a significant turf divot will heal much faster than the seed will germinate. If the sand and seed is needed, only fill divots flush with surrounding soil. A divot filled with too much sand damages delicate mowing reels and bedknives and causes poor mowing quality.
Secondly, please remember that seed included in the bottle is for fairways only! The seed has been specially selected for fairways in our climate, but it makes for terrible rough turf. Again, thanks!
Thanks for every one's continued support!! I am quite sure there is not a more supportive membership of a Golf Course Superintendent and staff than here at Potowomut Golf Club. Sincere thank yous to everyone, as we hear so many positive comments each and every day.
Back to my hose....
As your Golf Course Superintendent, our stated goals are to provide season long reliable and consistent putting surfaces for members and guests. On small (average size 4111 sq ft) Poa annua and bentgrass greens in our climate, numerous environmental issues are always in play to kill turfgrass from May through September including turfgrass disease, root eating nematodes, golfer foot traffic, insects, heat and humidity. The faster the greens, the more prone we are to turf damage and death from the above factors. Trying to add six to nine inches of stimp meter speed is not worth risking severe decline in greens' quality or the significant higher expense involved. My fellow colleague Steve Kurta uses a turf roller at the private club where he works with the phrase "Speed Kills" prominently displayed. Steve's roller speaks the truth!
BUNKER RAKE CHANGE
Beginning this week, the Greens Committee asks you to place bunker rakes INSIDE bunkers, instead of outside. Please put rakes inside the bunkers, parallel to the bunker edge on the low side of bunkers. The Committee feels it will be easier to locate rakes that are inside bunkers.
NEMATODES
We are one of a few northern courses experimenting with a new control product for nematodes, with the financial help of supplier Agrium Inc. Nematodes are small soil pests that feed on and eliminate turfgrass roots quickly during warm summer months. Today,(Wednesday) soil samples were pulled to determine nematode counts before Agrium's MultiGuard was applied to 15 green. We will sample Friday to again count nematodes to determine the product's effectiveness. (Samples will be sent to the University of Massachusetts Nematology lab where technicians physically count how many nematodes are in each sample.)
We will keep you informed how well the product is performing, or join me and observe the 15th green's turfgrass quality as you play the next few weeks!! (15 green has the highest nematode populations of all 19 greens, similar to China of world population)
COURSE UPKEEP
Finally, as we get further into the summer, we need your help to maintain your golf course. Ballmarks on greens become an issue the further we get into summer. Always repair your ballmark plus one other. Please view the following link which shows the proper method to repair a ball mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NiBpLs5n7I&feature=player_detailpage
Bunkers are also an area where you can help. Here is a link that shows how to properly rake a bunker. Hopefully, we don't hit into too many bunkers during a single round, but the time you take to rake a bunker affects the golf course for future players. Also, notice that the gentleman uses two hands, as a one handed bunker raker cannot provide a quality surface under any circumstance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYITPB28Ag
Also thanks again to everyone who uses sand and seed bottles on fairways. I truly believe we have one of the best programs in the country for sanding and seeding divots and am heart warmed by our membership's grasp of the program. Please remember however, we prefer you replace a turf divot versus using the sand and seed, as a significant turf divot will heal much faster than the seed will germinate. If the sand and seed is needed, only fill divots flush with surrounding soil. A divot filled with too much sand damages delicate mowing reels and bedknives and causes poor mowing quality.
Secondly, please remember that seed included in the bottle is for fairways only! The seed has been specially selected for fairways in our climate, but it makes for terrible rough turf. Again, thanks!
Thanks for every one's continued support!! I am quite sure there is not a more supportive membership of a Golf Course Superintendent and staff than here at Potowomut Golf Club. Sincere thank yous to everyone, as we hear so many positive comments each and every day.
Back to my hose....
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
JUNE UPDATE
Summer is here and we have been busy improving the golf course for you and your guests. Included in our work is improved bunkers with new sand, and less Poa annua on greens!!
We also have seen a pest (hyperoides weevils) do some turf damage early during 2011, and we will explain what our plans are to control this insect pest.
BUNKERS
Greenside bunkers were edged last week. We are also adding new sand where needed. To date, we have added 100 tons to greenside bunkers. We are addressing bunkers with the highest needs first. We plan to continuing this project for the duration of the summer. **Please remember that newly filled bunkers will play a bit differently than they did before they were filled.**
We will continue bunker improvements later during the summer and fall by beginning to rebuild bunker edges. Many of the edges of bunkers have deteriorated over the years due to age, erosion, use and raking processes. On many bunkers, the edges have become a no man's land of bunker and/or rough, and our goal is to again create a clear and concise border of turfed bunker edge and rough. This will be done by clearly identifying bunker edges, and replacing sand that has spilled over the edges with new topsoil and sod. The lack of a edge on the low side of greenside 16 bunker is the best (or worst) example of a bunker needing this work.
GREENS
Greens are off to a strong start. As mentioned earlier this season, growth regulator Cutless is being used this year to increase creeping bentgrass populations by stunting the Poa annua. To date, we are extremely pleased. With higher populations of creeping bentgrass on greens, less Poa annua, greens will be more reliable and consistent over the long term. We expect this project to take two or three years, but the goal of nearly pure creeping bentgrass greens will be worth the wait!
INSECT DAMAGE
Annual bluegrass weevils (hyperoides weevils) have made an appearance and damaged turf this spring. These insects lay eggs into green, tee and fairway areas in early spring. Grubs, two to three millimeter sized, hatch in May and begin feasting on turfgrass roots. The area most affected to date is 11 fairway which shows moderate damage, despite insecticide applications made on May 2, May 17 and June 16. Greens, which show no damage, have been treated five times this season with two different insecticides.
We may see five or six generations of Annual Bluegrass Weevils during the summer, so continuing insecticide applications into August will hopefully keep turf damage to a minimum.
Tidbits.....we have pumped 3.8 million gallons of water as of today, 5.2 million as of June 28 last year....RI State Amateur Tournament begins July 12th here at Potowomut....have almost completed herbicide applications to give you a nearly 100% weed free golf course....we have a dedicated employee in 2011 (Divot Dan) whose only job is to fill divots with seed and soil on tees and practice tees...my thanks to our wonderful 2011 staff....follow us on twitter at PotoGreens...
We also have seen a pest (hyperoides weevils) do some turf damage early during 2011, and we will explain what our plans are to control this insect pest.
BUNKERS
Greenside bunkers were edged last week. We are also adding new sand where needed. To date, we have added 100 tons to greenside bunkers. We are addressing bunkers with the highest needs first. We plan to continuing this project for the duration of the summer. **Please remember that newly filled bunkers will play a bit differently than they did before they were filled.**
We will continue bunker improvements later during the summer and fall by beginning to rebuild bunker edges. Many of the edges of bunkers have deteriorated over the years due to age, erosion, use and raking processes. On many bunkers, the edges have become a no man's land of bunker and/or rough, and our goal is to again create a clear and concise border of turfed bunker edge and rough. This will be done by clearly identifying bunker edges, and replacing sand that has spilled over the edges with new topsoil and sod. The lack of a edge on the low side of greenside 16 bunker is the best (or worst) example of a bunker needing this work.
GREENS
Greens are off to a strong start. As mentioned earlier this season, growth regulator Cutless is being used this year to increase creeping bentgrass populations by stunting the Poa annua. To date, we are extremely pleased. With higher populations of creeping bentgrass on greens, less Poa annua, greens will be more reliable and consistent over the long term. We expect this project to take two or three years, but the goal of nearly pure creeping bentgrass greens will be worth the wait!
INSECT DAMAGE
Annual bluegrass weevils (hyperoides weevils) have made an appearance and damaged turf this spring. These insects lay eggs into green, tee and fairway areas in early spring. Grubs, two to three millimeter sized, hatch in May and begin feasting on turfgrass roots. The area most affected to date is 11 fairway which shows moderate damage, despite insecticide applications made on May 2, May 17 and June 16. Greens, which show no damage, have been treated five times this season with two different insecticides.
We may see five or six generations of Annual Bluegrass Weevils during the summer, so continuing insecticide applications into August will hopefully keep turf damage to a minimum.
Tidbits.....we have pumped 3.8 million gallons of water as of today, 5.2 million as of June 28 last year....RI State Amateur Tournament begins July 12th here at Potowomut....have almost completed herbicide applications to give you a nearly 100% weed free golf course....we have a dedicated employee in 2011 (Divot Dan) whose only job is to fill divots with seed and soil on tees and practice tees...my thanks to our wonderful 2011 staff....follow us on twitter at PotoGreens...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Golf Course Update
After a cool and wet April and May, we've had perfect golf weather during June. Additionally, it has been dry the last two weeks with only a tenth of an inch of rainfall since May 24th. Not coincidently, growth of the rough has slowed dramatically.
A new set of tee markers were put out today. Anyone can use the new tee markers. These yellow markers were added for beginner or junior golfers who would prefer to play a short golf course. This is a trial program and will be evaluated later in the season. This short golf course has not been rated by the Rhode Island Golf Association. If the length of holes is overwhelming, come on out and learn to play our wonderful game, executive style!!
Trees were planted to the left side of 16 tee last week. These Serbian Spruces will serve as a protective screen from drives hit left from 17 tee. We purchased the largest trees (7-8') that tree nurseries keep in inventory. Larger trees would have been far more expensive to purchase, and would have been more difficult to handle and install.
We have begun edging and repairing greenside bunkers. We will be able to put an improved edge on these bunkers by mid July. Seventy five tons of sand (2 trailer loads) will be used to fill bunkers by a priority established by Greens Chairman Sal Soscia and myself. After the initial edging process, we will tackle more bunker projects as the season progresses toward fall.
A new set of tee markers were put out today. Anyone can use the new tee markers. These yellow markers were added for beginner or junior golfers who would prefer to play a short golf course. This is a trial program and will be evaluated later in the season. This short golf course has not been rated by the Rhode Island Golf Association. If the length of holes is overwhelming, come on out and learn to play our wonderful game, executive style!!
Trees were planted to the left side of 16 tee last week. These Serbian Spruces will serve as a protective screen from drives hit left from 17 tee. We purchased the largest trees (7-8') that tree nurseries keep in inventory. Larger trees would have been far more expensive to purchase, and would have been more difficult to handle and install.
We have begun edging and repairing greenside bunkers. We will be able to put an improved edge on these bunkers by mid July. Seventy five tons of sand (2 trailer loads) will be used to fill bunkers by a priority established by Greens Chairman Sal Soscia and myself. After the initial edging process, we will tackle more bunker projects as the season progresses toward fall.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Leaf Spot Disease
"Rain? We don't need no stinkin rain!" Or wind, clouds, or cold for that matter.
As late May approaches, we are observing injury from disease "leaf spot" on fairway turfgrass. Leaf spot, caused by fungi drechslera, has been present since April, and usually does not alarm turf managers. However, extended cold and wet conditions this week is helping the disease to spread and become more damaging to plants. If left uncontrolled, leaf spot can take out large areas of turf and make for unhappy Golf Course Superintendents and golfers.
If and when the wind and rain stops this week, two fungicides will be applied to control leaf spot in a single application. Most years leaf spot disappears as quick as it comes as warm weather slows, then stops growth of the fungi within the plant. This is not a normal year, so far....
As late May approaches, we are observing injury from disease "leaf spot" on fairway turfgrass. Leaf spot, caused by fungi drechslera, has been present since April, and usually does not alarm turf managers. However, extended cold and wet conditions this week is helping the disease to spread and become more damaging to plants. If left uncontrolled, leaf spot can take out large areas of turf and make for unhappy Golf Course Superintendents and golfers.
If and when the wind and rain stops this week, two fungicides will be applied to control leaf spot in a single application. Most years leaf spot disappears as quick as it comes as warm weather slows, then stops growth of the fungi within the plant. This is not a normal year, so far....
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Hit it straight!!
The rough is growing at a rate keeping both golfers and maintenance people unhappy. I'd like to provide a little information about this situation.
1. Rough turfgrass grows fastest in spring.
2. Since April 1st, 6.50" of rainfall has fallen on Potowomut. This factor is the most important one affecting unruly rough conditions today.
3. After a brutal 2010 summer, rough was fertilized to aid its recovery last fall. This also is affecting rough height and quality, especially when combined with both factors above.
The height of cut on Potowomut rough is 2.50". This height of cut is NOT changed during the year. Lowering the height to 2" would result in thin, less reliable rough during summer months because of the corresponding shrinkage of the turfgrass root system. Larger areas of rough would go dormant in summer months, or would die completely. During a past year, 2" rough was maintained as an experiment and was a rated a miserable failure because of poor rough condition during July, August and September. Remember, most rough turfgrass is NOT irrigated during summer because the sprinkler heads don't throw water far into the rough.
Normally, it takes us a full 40 hour week to mow the rough one time. The operator begins Monday morning at 6AM, and completes mowing eighteen holes by late Friday afternoon. For an example, rough on the 10th hole was mowed on Monday morning May 2nd, and will not be mowed again until Monday morning May 9th. Mowing rough twice a week would require investment in both new equipment and more manpower to complete.
For this month, we are working extra hours to try and stay ahead of the rough. We will mow holes with the thickest rough a second time during the week or during the weekend. We expect the rough to slow down during later May and June if normal weather patterns return.
On a positive note, we have begun mowing the "first cut" of rough this week, three weeks early.
1. Rough turfgrass grows fastest in spring.
2. Since April 1st, 6.50" of rainfall has fallen on Potowomut. This factor is the most important one affecting unruly rough conditions today.
3. After a brutal 2010 summer, rough was fertilized to aid its recovery last fall. This also is affecting rough height and quality, especially when combined with both factors above.
The height of cut on Potowomut rough is 2.50". This height of cut is NOT changed during the year. Lowering the height to 2" would result in thin, less reliable rough during summer months because of the corresponding shrinkage of the turfgrass root system. Larger areas of rough would go dormant in summer months, or would die completely. During a past year, 2" rough was maintained as an experiment and was a rated a miserable failure because of poor rough condition during July, August and September. Remember, most rough turfgrass is NOT irrigated during summer because the sprinkler heads don't throw water far into the rough.
Normally, it takes us a full 40 hour week to mow the rough one time. The operator begins Monday morning at 6AM, and completes mowing eighteen holes by late Friday afternoon. For an example, rough on the 10th hole was mowed on Monday morning May 2nd, and will not be mowed again until Monday morning May 9th. Mowing rough twice a week would require investment in both new equipment and more manpower to complete.
For this month, we are working extra hours to try and stay ahead of the rough. We will mow holes with the thickest rough a second time during the week or during the weekend. We expect the rough to slow down during later May and June if normal weather patterns return.
On a positive note, we have begun mowing the "first cut" of rough this week, three weeks early.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
This won't hurt a bit.....
"Now roll up your golf shirt sleeve, this isn't going to hurt a bit."
Greens are scheduled for aeration beginning Monday May 2.
We are using non invasive bayonet tines to aerate greens this week. We will NOT pull soil from the greens, we are only poking holes into the greens with a thin 6" long knife like tine. We will aerate in two directions. Greens will be lightly topdressed with sand. Greens will again be in nice condition two days after they are aerated.
One reason we aerate greens is to remove thatch, a coagulated layer of dead roots and decaying plant stems. Spring 2011 soil testing show that Potowomut greens contain LOW organic matter (around 2% thatch) content. Just five years ago, our greens contained "excessive" (6%) organic matter according to soil tests. Therefore, we hope to rely less on soil pulling core aeration during future springs and more on solid tine aeration. (****Other factors are also at work that may require spring core aeration, so no guarantees can be issued about which method we choose each sping****)
As a Superintendent, I'm thrilled we've had success to limit excessive greens' thatch. As a golfer, I am also happy to provide aeration to greens without severely impacting surfaces for putting....at least for spring 2011!!
Greens are scheduled for aeration beginning Monday May 2.
We are using non invasive bayonet tines to aerate greens this week. We will NOT pull soil from the greens, we are only poking holes into the greens with a thin 6" long knife like tine. We will aerate in two directions. Greens will be lightly topdressed with sand. Greens will again be in nice condition two days after they are aerated.
One reason we aerate greens is to remove thatch, a coagulated layer of dead roots and decaying plant stems. Spring 2011 soil testing show that Potowomut greens contain LOW organic matter (around 2% thatch) content. Just five years ago, our greens contained "excessive" (6%) organic matter according to soil tests. Therefore, we hope to rely less on soil pulling core aeration during future springs and more on solid tine aeration. (****Other factors are also at work that may require spring core aeration, so no guarantees can be issued about which method we choose each sping****)
As a Superintendent, I'm thrilled we've had success to limit excessive greens' thatch. As a golfer, I am also happy to provide aeration to greens without severely impacting surfaces for putting....at least for spring 2011!!
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