Hawk-Eye camera

Since the middle of January, we have been testing a large camera that has anecdotally shown promise in early determination of Spring Dead Spot on Bermuda grass, one of our most difficult problems. As a few more golfers have returned to the club for Spring (?) golf, many may have noticed the camera mounted to a tree on #11.

We were contacted by the company who sells the camera because they are trying to test its capabilities for helping diagnose issues on Bermuda grass. Their idea is that by monitoring the Bermuda grass during dormancy and early green-up, they can identify trouble areas weeks earlier than usual. This added time allows for cultural practices to begin earlier and recovery to 

happen sooner.

The camera consists of a visual and thermal camera, data-logger, and antenna. The two cameras are trained on the same area. The concept is that monitoring the canopy temperature of the Bermuda grass with the thermal camera can recognize colder areas of Bermuda grass. These colder areas are a possible sign of developing issues that are invisible to the naked eye. By overlaying the thermal picture onto the visual one, we can pinpoint the weak areas and determine a plan. In addition, as the Bermuda grass begins to green-up, we are also running an algorithm that will measure the color of the leaf tissue so we can compare areas that are more or less green and see how that correlates to the areas we previously identified as weaker. In the end, the idea is to locate the bad areas prior to green-up and be ready to initiate a recovery plan as soon as the turf is ready to respond.

Here is a look at what the two cameras are seeing:

We chose an area that we have had issues with spring dead spot in the past. The camera angle sees a bad area right next to a good area. We are hoping that comparing the two areas will give us more insight into the status of the turf. In the thermal picture the yellow areas are cooler and correspond to areas that we know spring dead spot has occurred in the past. The red areas are where we have not had disease issues and should be healthier turfgrass this year as well.

Right now, the technology is in the very early stages for this type of application. The camera can’t help us specifically treat any issue or provide any defense against Spring Dead Spot, but it could be another tool to help us gather information.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be patient with our spring debris cleanup process. Thank you

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org