Spraying weeds on tees

Now that the temperatures have dropped to consistent lows, the Bermuda grass is dormant. Contrasting against the brown Bermuda grass are the green weeds. The weeds are especially apparent on the tees.

Between 2 harsh winters affecting the Bermuda grass as well as many tees being newly sodded, the weeds on the tees are the worst they have been in several years. The winter weather weakened any grass that survived, allowing weeds to infiltrate and establish. We elected not to treat for weeds over last winter to reduce any possible chemical hindrance to the Bermuda grass.

Although many herbicides are labeled safe to spray on dormant Bermuda grass, all herbicides in general affect anything they are applied to regardless. Plants that are “safe,” merely metabolize the active ingredient better than other plants and are thus not damaged. However, not killing a plant is one thing, but forcing a plant to metabolize a chemical when the grass is already weak (from a tough winter) and not growing (dormancy) can lead to slower recovery. This was the reasoning behind skipping this past year’s application.

Now that we made it through a season much healthier, we will resume limited spot treatments on tees to eradicate the weeds this winter. To ensure the Bermuda grass is in its most dormant state, we will wait until later in the winter to begin. Applications will be made with a backpack sprayer and will only treat the weeds, rather than a broadcast spray that would hit target and non-target surfaces. While this is certainly the slower of the two methods, it will result in less chemical use as well as less stress on the Bermuda grass.

The weeds on the tees are unsightly. We are aware of the issue and will be implementing a recovery plan as soon as possible.

As a reminder, we are only posting once per month from November thru February.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don’t play on greens that are partially or completely covered in snow.

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