Monthly updates

In our greens commitee meeting today we came up with a good idea that will share our cultural practices on a end of the month basis. So in detail the key things being like: how often did we roll? verticut? topdress? spray? etc.? In the month of May our extra than normal cultural practices on our greens were that we rolled 7 times, verticut 11 times, topdressed 2 times, and sprayed a growth regulator 2 times. These numbers will vary from month to month depending on growing conditions, other projects of importance, tournament prep, etc. Last week we started to get a big flush of growth everywhere on the course and hence our greens slowed down. So far this week we have verticut 3 times, rolled 2 times, sprayed a growth regulator, and they have considerably helped make the greens more consistent throughout the day. We have stimped the greens 5 times so far this week. Starting on Tuesday at precisely 1:30 p.m. they stimped at 9.3, on Wednesday at precisely 7:00 a.m. they stimped at 9.6, that same day at precisely 1:30 p.m. they stimped at 9.6 even though we had rolled them after lunch. Thats because of the inconsistent growth of diffrent strands of poa annua grasses that we have in our greens. They were last stimped this morning at 10.1 at precisely 7:00 a.m.. You will notice a diffrence in speed, true roll, and frimness going forward as we attempt to "manipulate" the greens to our liking.

Diffrent colors of grasses on greens?

That's RIGHT! Our greens are predominantly poa annua greens (annual bluegrass). Predominantly meaning almost 100%. We strive to maintain a true roll throughout the day as well as an average green speed of 10+. Knowing this we want to inform you that although we mow, verticut, roll, topdress, apply plant growth regulators, there are 20+ different strands of Poa annua grass growing on are greens. This means that given the right temperature there are certain strands that grow when its cool, hot, wet, dry, etc. Optimum temperature for poa annua grass is not to exceed 85F ambient, and 75F soil because it will start to wilt if it does not have enough moisture in the soil. We are constantly checking greens everyday even 3 times a day for this. As we get more consistent with warmer temps you will see many shades of Poa annua. One grows more than the other and vice verse. After a mornings mow, roll, etc. this is when you will see the most consistency. As the day progresses so does the turf. Inconsistent growth, slower speeds, and not a true roll. Bottom line: The more we mow, groom. roll, verticut, topdress, and apply growth regulators it will "trick" the plant to be as consistent from morning to afternoon. Warmer temps equal inconsistency, cooler temps equal consistency.

Extreme heat

So far this week we have had temperatures in the triple digits everyday as well as high winds. With this it has been necessary to irrigate more than just once during the day. Why we are doing this is to "COOL" the plant. No warm season grasses have been affected by this weather, in fact this is there optimum range of temperature to grow to there most potential. Are cool season grasses however tend to struggle in this heat. Not only syringing but frequent amounts of water when necessary to achieve a steady canopy temperature to reduce wilting. You only get one chance to keep cool season grasses alive. This is because they are a bunch type with no stolons or rhizomes like warm season grasses. It looks like we will get a steady break in the heat starting this weekend. Lastly are greens were stimped at 10.1 this morning.

Fairways and Tournament prep

Over the past three weeks we have lowered our mowing heights from 5/8" to 7/16" in an attempt to naturally transition our fairways into a more dominant warm season grass. Some fairways our almost 100% coverage while other fairways will take quite some time. Bottom line is a faster and tighter playing surface. Also we are our in tournament prep mode for the busy golf week. We have a tournament everyday except for Wednesday. So there will be more mowing, cleaning up debris, faster and smoother greens as well. Greens were stimped this morning at 10'2". Also expect much warmer weather starting next week. Could be into the triple digits.

Wind damage

So far this week we have had two unusual days with higher winds than expected. It not only dried the golf course out, but as well there were many areas of debris. We have had 4 guys spending all day Wednesday and Thursday cleaning up. Also are Green speed last week was measured at 10.3 and this morning was measured at 10.6. The higher speed is a little unusual but hence the wind that we endured dried out the grass. We expect to have the eucalyptus tree removed by Friday afternoon. Take a look at the pictures.