Weed control

After the very dry fall we had to end 2024, we were left with some voids, mostly in the rough height turf. Nothing is more opportunistic than broadleaf weeds and they took advantage of the thin turf. We will be out in the next couple of weeks aggressively spraying to control those weeds and give the advantage back to the turfgrass.

Last fall was very dry. Despite our best efforts using the irrigation system, there is no substitute for rain. Most areas that are well covered by the irrigation survived the drought well, but areas outside the sprinklers or where coverage is less consistent, especially in the rough, suffered greatly. As the grass continued to dry down and die in some instances, this left gaps in the turf canopy and at precisely the time that our preemergent weed control from the spring was wearing off. Clover, chickweed, and other broadleaf weeds seized the opportunity to take hold in the newly created open spots in the grass.

We do not control all the weeds on the property. The acreage is too great and there really is no need to use that volume of herbicides. Even in years when the turf cover stays strong through the fall, weeds can still make their way in from the periphery through natural seeding and plant movement. So, spring weeds are not new, but there is a slightly higher amount than normal this year.

Aiming to keep a weed-free playing corridor, we treat about 40 feet around all greens, tees, and fairways with post-emergent herbicides. Green and tee surrounds are spot sprayed, while fairway surrounds are sprayed in full due to the larger area as well as greater penchant for weeds. Treating in this way keeps the most in-play areas clean.

Weeds are a natural part of the golf course- the most common definition of a weed is “a plant out of place”- which allows for many types of plants to at some point be considered a weed. For us, broadleaf weed control is a measured approach, working to keep the areas most in-play as clean as possible.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

After filling your divot with sand, either on a tee or fairway, please smooth the sand pile out so our mowers don’t cut through the sand.

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org