Bermuda grass on greens

We have nearly 45 acres of maintained Bermuda grass on the property. Every year it reaches new places as it grows through the summer. That is the case with the Bermuda grass on the edges of putting greens.

For many years we have had Bermuda grass growing in the edges around the putting greens. Here is a post from 2016 talking about this very issue. There is an ebb and flow to the growth of the Bermuda grass each year- it pushes in further during the warm months, and the cool season putting green turf pushes back during the cool months. Especially in a summer like this year, when the conditions for Bermuda grass growth are as good as possible, the Bermuda grass can reach even further than usual.

It has been several years since we have had to deal with significant Bermuda grass encroachment in the greens. The Bermuda grass is always there, and likely will always be there because of the difficulty in truly eradicating Bermuda grass. However, since the weather had been average at best for Bermuda grass over the last several years, the progress into the green was minimal and was erased each winter by the cold. But this year was ideal weather for the Bermuda grass, so it pushed in more than normal.

We will work this off season to cut the Bermuda grass back to the collar and remove as much plant material as possible. We can’t get all the Bermuda grass plant- in certain situations, some Bermuda grass roots have been found at depths of 2-3 feet! But we will cut out as much as we can, even digging down a few inches to remove stolons and rhizomes. We will repair the area where grass is removed and let the cool season turf fill in the void.

Unfortunately, with cultivated Bermuda grass on fairways and tees, along with common Bermuda grass across the property, keeping the Bermuda grass isolated to only the areas we want is next to impossible. Depending on the weather it will always move laterally into new locations. We will continue to monitor and work to fight back against the incursion as needed.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

 

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