Weeds on tees

The battle against weeds is a never ending fight. Basically, a weed is any plant out of place. When defined at that most basic level, the total number of weeds can skyrocket. We are currently struggling with weeds on some of our tee boxes. Most notably, goose grass and crabgrass have taken hold on the tee boxes that have not been converted to Bermuda grass.

Our first step to managing weeds is to apply a preventative, pre-emergent herbicide in the spring. We apply this to collars, tees, fairways and a limited amount of rough. The goal of this application is to create a barrier across the soil that does not allow new seedlings to germinate and emerge above soil. Our application was made April 1^st. At the rate we applied our material we should expect 3-4 months of weed control. However, beginning the day the material hits the soil it begins to break down. Based on the percentage of active ingredient applied, conditions of past weed control and chemicals used, weather, maintenance, and site conditions all help determine if the 3-4 month suppression will be reached. The downside of this approach is there is no real sign that there may be a problem with the “barrier” until weeds begin to show. We had a breakdown in the prevention of weeds in our third month after application.

The biggest factor that caused the preventative weed control to break down was the high amount of rainfall that occurred during the month of June. At Bretton Woods, we recorded 10.5 inches of rain. Not only does that much rain dilute the chemical, it can also push it further down into the soil. When a gap is created between the chemical down deep and the soil surface, it leaves room for weed seeds to germinate in between, either because the chemical is too dilute to be effective or it has been eliminated completely. Secondly, the weed infestations are on the tee boxes that are ryegrass. Ryegrass is not a very dense growing grass, which leaves gaps for weeds to fill. Also, ryegrass does not spread laterally to fill in bare areas as bent grass or Bermuda grass do, again leaving gaps that weeds fill. These gaps may be caused by poor maintenance of the tee, environmental stress on the existing turf grass, or by something as simple as a divot. If we thin the turf with our maintenance routine, we stress the plant and create an opportunity for weeds. If the weather stresses the plant, weeds can take advantage. Even something as simple as a divot- the preventative chemical is removed with the chunk of turf- can create an opening for a weed.

Unfortunately, this is the case on some of our tee boxes. Nothing mentioned above are excuses. We believe the weed control, or lack of, is as embarrassing as any member. We will be making adjustments to our program for the future. Also, the continued conversion to Bermuda grass tees is a huge advantage because of the density of the Bermuda grass, the weeds have no place to establish themselves.

In the meantime, we have already made post-emergent chemical applications that have begun to kill the weeds. You will see the crabgrass turning reddish-brown and dying and the goose grass will be turning white, and dying. We will also be changing our mowing height to encourage healthier ryegrass and seeding where necessary. We continue to take steps to correct this issue because it is as unacceptable in our eyes as yours.

Etiquette Reminder of the Week

Please keep carts on cart paths for the entirety of par 3 holes.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org