Bermuda grass sod

Bermuda grass makes up a large percentage of our managed turfgrass and 99.99% of that turf survived winter and is off to a great spring. Nevertheless, the .01% is still something we are working to improve and repair. Last week we were finally able to get sod for the worst areas.

We had temperatures in the 90’s in mid-April, and then a dramatic cool down. All the way into mid-May was cooler than normal, especially overnight. We have also been very dry throughout that same stretch. Neither of these factors are conducive to strong Bermuda grass growth, so our best option for the particularly poor areas is sod. Unfortunately, our local sod producer experienced the exact same temperatures and lack of rainfall as we did, meaning they struggled to get their Bermuda grass sod ready for harvest. This is what caused the time between seeing the need for sod in these struggling areas and the time when we were actually able to make the repairs.

Nevertheless, we were able to secure sod last week and
we wrapped up the work in just a couple of days. The sod was laid at #1 white tee, #2 approach, #3 approach, #4 gold tee, #7 approach, #14 approach, two spots in #15 fairway, #15 approach, #16 approach, and our Bermuda grass soccer field. Several of these areas are repeat offenders that we continue to work hard on improving. #1 tee has been a shade issue, which we were able to alleviate this past winter, so we expect improvement in this area moving forward. #4 tee will have tree work performed this fall/winter to address its shade issues. Several of the approaches had new drains installed this winter and the sod that we laid back over the drains is what didn’t survive. This is likely due to the extra stress of winter work on warm season turf. And the other spots where work has previously been done but continue to struggle, we hope can be improved with the Verti-quake, which we have already used once this spring and will continue to use through the summer. (The link describes the Shockwave, but we bought a Verti-quake- identical machines, different names.)

Having Bermuda grass as a dominant turf for any surface in this region is risky. We are further north than the Bermuda grass would prefer. So, having some repair work to do in the spring is really just par for the course, and being able to limit it to such a small amount is a huge victory. We are happy the sod is done and we can look forward to the rest of the season.

 

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please enter and exit all bunkers on the low side. While this may result in slightly more distance to rake, it will keep the sod on the face of the bunker from tearing. It is also much safer! Thank you.

 

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