spring aerifaction and upcoming weather

Fairway aerifying started last thursday and we completed 3 holes until the machine broke. It pushed us back until wednesday when we started up again. So far we have completed 7 holes. We will resume next week when the rain subsides. Watch out for the storm, its suppose to be a big one.

Fairway aerifacation

As we approach spring time we are starting to notice a consistent warmer temperature earlier than expected. Thus we feel that is a good idea to get started on our spring aerifacation of fairways. We will be done within two weeks. We apologize for any disruption in play but know that we will be providing you better playing conditions going into summer.

Benifits and repercussion of not overseeding

In response to question and concerns about the winter appearance and playing conditions here at Canyon Crest , we submit the following report prepared by Pace Turf Consulting concerning the topic of overseeding. We remind you that Canyon Crest is a kikuyugrass based golf course. Our experimental use of the recommended chemical control agent Revolver has had a success rate of only about 50% so progress will be slow in removal of poa and ryegrass clumps. Improving course conditions can be greatly aided by golfers replacing divots, staying on cart paths and honoring signage and staying off areas designated under repair.

Client: Bob MacBeth, Canyon Crest Country Club

Date: 2/3/14

Prepared by: Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D. and Larry Stowell, Ph.D.

Subject: Managing non-overseeed turf

Summary

The decision to avoid overseeding fairways and/or roughs has become much more popular

in the Southern U.S., as the golfing, financial and environmental advantages become

clearer. California’s current drought emergency will make this strategy even more

acceptable, as watering restrictions are imposed on golf courses.

Non-overseeded turf is not without its problems, however. Clumpy and patchy fairways

and roughs are the most common complaint, and result for a variety of reasons including

mixed turfgrass stands, shady spots and in some cases, lack of effective weed control

products. Fortunately, this problem, and others that result when courses do not overseed,

can be successfully addressed, as described below.

Improvement will be gradual, and the first year or two after overseeding is halted will

produce some of the issues described below. But if a single warm-season turf type is

cultivated (preferably, bermudagrass), if shade is reduced, and if a serious weed control

program is initiated, good results should be observed within two to three years.

I. Why stop overseeding?

!

Provide the best fairway conditions for the majority of the year: In climates such as

those in Riverside, CA, overseeding gradually depletes the warm-season turf base,

so that bermudagrass and/or kikuyugrass turf becomes thin, patchy, and invaded by

weeds. This is most apparent during the warmer months (May-October), when

ryegrass is no longer present, and can therefore no longer mask the weakened

condition of the underlying warm-season turfgrass base. In contrast, nonoverseeded

turf does not have to compete for sunlight, water, nutrition and space,

and as a result, produces a more even and more appealing playing surface.

!

Effective weed control: The presence of overseeded turf, such as ryegrass,

precludes the use of the most effective weed control products, since most of these

products are injurious to ryegrass, as well as to weeds. When turf is not

overseeded, the spectrum of effective products available for control of weeds

expands greatly. This is especially true if bermudagrass is the desired turfgrass

species, since bermudagrass can tolerate many weed control products. If the

desired turf is kikuyugrass, the weed control options become much more limited.

!

Cost savings: Perhaps the most obvious benefit of non-overseeded turf is the

significant savings in seed, water, fertilizer, pesticides and manpower -- not to

mention down time during overseeding.

!

Increased sustainability: Reduced water use, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use

and reduced machinery use all contribute to a more environmentally conscious,

sustainable approach to turf management.

!

Public relations: Given California’s drought emergency, and given the public’s

growing interest in sustainable practices, a decision to stop overseeding would be

seen positively by regulatory agencies, and by the public in general. Taking

leadership in conservation efforts should be good for business, and for the

environment.

II. What are the issues?

!

Clumpy turf: Clumpy turf is the result of years of overseeding, which results in

patches of clumpy ryegrass that is very difficult to control. In addition, many

overseeded fairways are blends of two or more turf types – the bermudagrass that

was initially selected for use on fairways and roughs, and then weeds, such as

kikuyugrass, which invade the area afterwards. Kikuyugrass will thrive in areas of

moister soil (near irrigation heads, for example), and as a result, patches of

bermuda and kikuyugrass will contribute to a clumpy surface. In addition, wherever

there is shade, the more shade tolerant grassy weeds, such as annual bluegrass

(poa) will dominate. The end result is a mixture of four or more turf types, each

occupying discrete locations on the golf course.

!

Weed control: As long as the dominant turf is bermudagrass, there are several very

effective products available for removal of poa, clumpy rye and kikuyugrass. These

products, such as Drive, Revolver, Monument and Specticle, do not injure

bermudagrass, but provide good control of other key weeds.

If the dominant turf is kikuyugrass, however, the options are much more limited.

Products that are effective against clumpy ryegrass and poa all produce injury to

kikuyugrass. As a result, weed control in kikuyugrass fairways is less successful,

and takes more effort and expense.

!

Poa in shady areas: Shady areas will be invaded by shade tolerant weeds such as

annual bluegrass (poa). To maintain a uniform and appealing playing surface, tree

thinning or tree removal must be considered. If shade from a hillside or buildings are

involved, there is no easy solution. These areas will require periodic re-sodding

when weed invasion cause unfavorable clumpy weed infestations.

!

Winter color: As winter approaches, cooler temperatures will result in dormancy of

bermudagrass or kikuyugrass. The resulting buff-colored turf is pleasing for some

golfers, but others are concerned about it. Off-color turf can be treated with green

pigments, dyes and paints to produce a green color that resembles growing grass.

There have been significant improvements in these products in the past few years,

and they are being adopted widely in the southwest. Data is most positive for

products such as “Turf in a Bottle” and “Wintergreen Plus”, among others.

In addition to improved color, several products appear to hasten spring green up of

bermudagrass, due to the increase in surface soil temperature that they produce.

This will result in a shorter period of bermudagrass dormancy.