Still too wet for some things

It has continued to be wet with the forecast to stay wet for the next several days. This past weekend we were unable to produce the putting green conditions we would like, and that most of you would expect, because of the soggy conditions.

We know most of the areas that stay too wet on the course. Whether it is greens, or tees, fairways, or rough, the same locations stay wet time after time. We slowly work on getting drains into place, but that takes time and every wet area cannot be completed at once. So wet spots remain. Using machines in wet areas causes damage: ruts, compacted soil, and death to the turfgrass.

Saturday was a relatively dry day, though it was foggy to start, overcast, and humid. Still drying out from the rain on Friday, we were only able to roll the greens. Mowing when it is too wet is a surefire way to thin and kill the turf.

Sunday is when we were really put in the most difficult position. Though Saturday did not produce any rain, we also did not evaporate much moisture out of the soil. Then, overnight, we received a small, but significant bit of rain. Any moisture that did evaporate during the day on Saturday was replaced by this small rain shower early Sunday morning. We hoped to be able to mow greens Sunday morning, and the small bit of rain complicated things. We attempted to mow the practice chipping green. The operator began as normal, but after several passes he encountered an over-saturated area which was not a usual spot to be wet.

Notice the orange-brown area. That is where
the mower cut too deep into the turf canopy and scalped it.

The same area on the practice chipping green. Our goal is to avoid this 
at all times. We chose not to mow any more greens
after seeing this first thing.

We had already scouted a few wet areas on the course prior to mowing. We felt we could successfully avoid those areas and still get a cut on the greens. However, once we encountered a wet area that was not typical, we were faced with a decision: 1. Continue mowing and chance running across other wet areas we were not expecting- thus almost certainly causing damage by scalping the turf; or, 2. Stop mowing and roll instead- thus avoiding causing damage at the most difficult time of the year. And there is no option to change our minds later, with golfers ready to play soon, we must decide then and there.

Here is the reason why we have explained all of this: none of this is apparent to most golfers. Instead, the only thing most people noticed about Sunday was that it was a little wet and greens were terribly slow. Had we continued mowing, we probably could have mowed 80 percent of the greens without incident. But that leaves 20 percent that could potentially be damaged. And there is no doubt that all golfers would notice the 20 percent damage.

So, in the short term, conditions were not good Sunday. While we try to make everyday as good as can be, we must always be looking towards the next day. Going for broke one day may make for a good day, but it may also make the next several days or weeks a real struggle.

 

Please note: Aeration has been postponed until 8/10-8/12 due to weather. The process will remain the same on the new days.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be conscious to not cut corners with your golf cart. The inside edges of turns are easily worn out after repeated traffic.

 

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