Second heat wave

About 10 days ago, we discussed a heat wave that we were just exiting, and the decisions we made to help the turfgrass survive. Well, we just went through another tough stretch, and we thought another update was pertinent.

The main topic in the post in early July was regarding green speeds and how they have slowed. That is due to our program and helping the turf survive. Because this 2^nd wave of intense heat was so close on the heels of the first, we didn’t push green speeds back up in the interim. We are in the hottest part of the entire year and a few days back to normal (upper 80’s to low 90’s) is not a sensible time to be aggressive. So, for the time being, our goal is smooth, consistent putting greens, that have healthy turf. This means they will be slower, but you can count on grass to putt on every day.

But the putting greens are not the only turf that feels the effects of a heat wave, or waves. The rough, especially around the greens, which is the most intensely managed and highly trafficked, can also start to fade. We have a hodgepodge of grass species in the rough: annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bent grass, tall fescue, ryegrass, and Bermuda grass. Aside from the Bermuda grass, none of these other species enjoy the heat. Annual bluegrass in particular hates the heat. Even though it is the predominant species on greens, when it grows to rough height it struggles even more. There are areas where small patches of annual bluegrass died out, with healthy turf surrounding it. Unfortunately, it is difficult to keep only one species of grass because there are many sources of natural seed that intermixes. We will continue to work diligently to protect the turf we have, but some of these areas will also be candidates for replacement with new sod.

The good news is that we have cleared the latest hurdle in good condition. A vast majority of our turf is handling the heat very well. We continue to monitor, adjust, and tweak our programs to make sure we stay ahead of the weather. We also are alw
ays planning for improvements in areas that do not live up to our expectations. It is a never-ending battle, but each year we gain a little more ground to the positive.

Two reminders:

Fairway verticutting is still ongoing. Thank you for your patience.

Also, aeration is the week of August 3^rd. The course is scheduled to be closed 8/3-8/6. Thank you

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please remember to remove any bunker sand that may be stuck to your spikes before walking on the greens.

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

Verticutting fairways

It is now peak growing season for the Bermuda grass. So, we started our fairway verticut program last week.

Verticutting the Bermuda grass slices down into the canopy and removes a tremendous amount of material- thatch, stems, and other organic material that has built up over the last year. By removing this material, it reduces the puffiness of the surface. It also allows air down into the canopy and reinvigorates the remaining turf to fill back in and grow very strongly for the remainder of the year.

The material that is torn out of the fairways is broken up first with a drag, which helps separate the grass and stem material from soil. The soil is allowed to fall back into the canopy. Once the organic material is dry, we then blow it off the fairway into the rough. From there, we use our vacuum to pick it up and haul it away.

It is a very slow process from start to finish- which is why we must spread it out over several weeks. We got an abbreviated start this year because of the Maryland Senior Mid-Amateur event we are hosting, completing only the par 3’s and 17 and 18 fairways. Picking back up just after the event, we will continue over the next couple of weeks to complete the work.

We appreciate your patience during this disruptive but very necessary and beneficial practice. Completing the work now, during our relatively slow time in the golf schedule, provides the best playing surfaces for our busiest time in the fall.

 

 

Also, please note that we will be aerating the course starting Monday August 3^rd through Thursday August 6^th. The course and practice facilities are closed during this time. Thank you

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please remember to remove any bunker sand that may be stuck to your spikes before walking on the greens.

 

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

Heat wave and greens speeds

We are just coming out the other side of the hottest stretch certainly of this year and one of the more intense spells over the last few years too. We must play defense when the weather turns that oppressive. Greens require more water, speeds decrease, and the turf stresses, but luckily, we made it through relatively unscathed and the worst heat did not lock in for an extended period of time.

To prepare for a heat wave like what we just experienced, there are a few things we do to protect the cool season turf, like the greens. We increase out height of cut slightly, only by one thousandth of an inch, but even that small increase in height, increases leaf tissue by 8%. That difference means a great deal to the plant when it is working hard to survive. We also reduce stress to the plant by alternating mowing and rolling instead of doing both most days like we do during other times of the year.

Moisture management is also critical during a stretch of heat. The grass requires more water to continually try and cool itself and maintain other metabolic processes inside the tissue. We do not want the plant to run out of water with such high temperatures because it could take less than an hour for the plant to die. So, we load the soil up with slightly more water than normal to start the day, in preparation for the heat later in the afternoon. This makes the greens softer and decreases green speeds.

Our goal through the entire year, but especially during a stretch like this past week, is to make sure we have grass for tomorrow. We could push the greens harder, stress them more, and have a great day or two of golf conditions, but the price for that would be thin or dead areas and weeks and weeks of recovery time. Therefore, we prioritize health and longevity of the turfgrass over short term benefits.

Despite the above-mentioned tactics, Mother Nature is powerful and we do have a few minor blemishes after the heat. In a few places, weak species of turf could not handle the heat and basically burned. And some places were areas that ran out of water and wilted. There are no areas that suffered major damage and overall, we are pleased how the turf responded.

The summer is not over, and the heat is likely to return. But after this first stretch, we are satisfied with our position and will continue to be ready for more.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please remember to remove any bunker sand that may be stuck to your spikes before walking on the greens.

 

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

USGA report

Back on June 1^st we welcomed our regional USGA Agronomist to Bretton Woods for a course consulting visit. From the USGA Green Section website: these visits “provide an objective, impartial, science-based evaluation of all factors influencing turfgrass health, playability, and sustainability.”

During our visit, we touched on several topics related to the Bermuda grass, including shade and tree removal, aeration practices, and Spring Dead Spot control. We also spent time discussing the health and performance of the putting greens. As well as the interface between the cool season turf collar and the warm season turf approach and difficulties of managing that line. Overall, it was a valuable investment that we will continue in years to come.

To conclude the service, the visit is summarized into a written report for the hose facility. Below is the link to our report.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXeOFSLhtV-tHz_8uvTJ0ciauPN-r3yl/view?usp=sharing

 

Thank you

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts are capable of a very tight turning radius, but please don’t turn that sharply in the grass because it can tear the turf.

 

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

Drought

We are in the midst of a drought, on the East coast, Maryland, and Montgomery County. We are fortunate to have Bermuda grass during times like these, but even Bermuda grass still requires water, and it is showing the indications of the drought.

From January 2026 through May 2026, we are about 5” behind our normal rainfall. Last fall, we had to recharge our irrigation pond due to a shortage. Luckily, with significant snowfall over this past winter, the pond was able to reach full capacity to start the season. But the shortfall of rain again this spring is creating water deficiencies that are becoming increasingly obvious across the course.

We work hard to manage the moisture on all turf areas on the course. Greens and the rough immediately around the greens take priority because they are cool season turf and of highest value. Using water and labor for these areas is paramount or the turf would suffer quickly, and recovery would be slow if at all. Beyond this turf though, we have a luxury with Bermuda grass being a very drought-tolerant species and having lower water requirements than other grasses. Nevertheless, when it gets this dry, even the Bermuda grass can show signs of stress.

Cool nights and relatively low daytime temperatures have allowed us to stretch our water reserves further than expected. There have been very few rainstorms rolling through, but some of them have come at just the right time to help us extend our water. These quick shots of rain help the Bermuda grass stay hydrated too and it can go longer between water events than other turf. But now the Bermuda grass is turning brown in many locations, showing the tell-tale signs of drought stress. Brown Bermuda grass can be seen on edges of fairways and tees where sprinklers don’t reach well or at all. Even areas that get good irrigation coverage are showing signs of stress just because they aren’t getting enough water. All these areas will rebound once there is ample water in the soil again (rain is forecast today) but it will take time.

We will continue to balance judiciously using our water supply while also maintaining the health of the turfgrass. Bermuda grass comes with a full set of problems at certain times of the year, but when it is this dry, we are glad to have the Bermuda grass.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts are capable of a very tight turning radius, but please don’t turn that sharply in the grass because it can tear the turf.

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