17 green update

Last week we wrote about how the end of the summer can take a toll on the greens. 17 green was mentioned as one of the greens struggling with the heat, humidity, and excess moisture. A few areas of #17 green have needed some extra attention lately.

Puddles indicate where drainage is suffering. These are the same areas
where the turfgrass is suffering also.

Root mass and health is directly related to the surface height of cut. As grass is mowed lower, roots become shorter; as grass is allowed to grow taller, roots grow longer. The above ground leaf tissue supports the roots and if there is more leaf tissue, the roots grow more. On putting greens, this becomes particularly valuable. Putting greens are mowed at very small fractions of inches, often under 1/8”. This means that we are managing roots on the slimmest of margins because we have as little top growth as possible. Raising the mowing height by as little as 0.03” can increase photosynthesis by 25%.

Thin areas in the back right of green

We raised the mowing height on 17 green immediately upon recognition of stress. In conjunction with the raised mowing height, we also stopped use of our heavier triplex greens mower in favor of our light-weight walking greens mower. While we don’t have the resources to walk mow greens as a regular practice, it becomes a very effective tool in aiding a green or two that are struggling. Simply the decrease in stress from weight can help turfgrass recover. Added to a higher height of cut and we can quickly provide a break to the grass.

Our hand dimpling tool

We also had some areas along the back right edge that were suffering more than other locations on the green. It is no surprise these are the areas that are particularly poor draining, where water can sit for days after a rainstorm if not removed by the Grounds department. In these areas, we spread some bent grass seed, dimpled small holes in which the seed can germinate, and then covered the seed with a light layer of sand to protect it. While the long term solution is a soil drainage issue, in the short term we are introducing more bent grass to the area because bent grass is better equipped to handle the heat, humidity, and excess moisture that Poa annua cannot.

After dimpling and seeding

The fan was out at 17 green for a stint last week, then as the green began to dry slowly we brought the fan back in so as to not dry the green out too much. When we had a few days of lower humidity, blowing air across the green can dry it out too fast, leading to another type of stress: moisture stress. Now, after the rain we just received, the fan is back out and helping to evaporate excess water.

All of these things may seem insignificant individually, but together they have already helped 17 green. While we are not happy with the current condition of the green, we have taken the proper measures to prevent it from deteriorating further. We monitor it several times during the day to make sure no other steps need to be taken.

As a side note: Aeration starts this week. Monday, the putting green and front 9 are closed, and the back 9 is open. Tuesday, the chipping green and back 9 are closed, and the front 9 is open. Wednesday and Thursday will be used as catch-up days for anything that couldn’t be finished Monday or Tuesday. We are aerating greens, tees, and fairways, as well as applying the compost material to the fairways like we have in the past.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please leave bunker rakes IN the bunkers when you are finished

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org