Overseed on the Tees

Why did we overseed the Tee's and why do they look splotchy in areas? 

This has been one of the most prevalent questions we are asked.  Other than immediately around the Flag stick, Tee's receive the most isolated play on the Golf Course.  We overseeded Tees to ensure proper turf coverage for the Golfing Season.  To date we have experienced a very warm Winter.  This has allowed us to focus on Bermudagrass health throughout the property.  In order to ensure a healthier Bermudagrass turf canopy in the Spring, we have been maintaining Bermudagrass all winter.  We have not re-seeded any of the areas on the tees, as we did not want to add additional competition to the Tif-Sport.  Transition will be smoother since the Bermuda is healthier and actively growing without additional competition in these areas.  The more competition we add the longer it will take for the Bermudagrass to respond this Spring.

The Blue Arrow identifies healthy growing Bermudagrass.  The Red Arrow identifies remaining Rye grass on #2 Tee Box.

This is on the Practice Tee.  Again, you can see where we have hit balls there is no rye grass remaining and the Bermudagrass has grown in.  We did not reseed with rye grass since the temperatures favored Bermudagrass Growth.

This Focus on Bermudagrass health has left the tees splotchy in appearance.  However, this will provide a much more healthy Bermudagrass Teeing surface this Summer and is our first step in preparing for optimal turf conditions next Golf Season.  The goal is to have a healthier Teeing surfaces next year and rely on Overseed only for our practice areas. 

Spring Pre-Emerge Application

This week, we made our first pre-emergent application to the Tees, Fairways, and around the Greens.  Oxadiazon 2G was blown into the turf canopy using a "Dry Sprayer".  Oxadiazon 2G is the smallest granule available, provides the most uniform spread pattern, and improves coverage for a more consistent weed barrier.  Another important note, Oxadiazon does not affect root growth.  Weather patterns last fall did not provide the best growing conditions following the last aerification.   We have taken advantage of the unusually warm Winter to begin turf grass recovery throughout the Golf Course.  It is important that we can pre-emerge Tees, Fairways, and around greens without adding additional stress to the Bermuda grass Turf.

Southeastern Turf grass Supply applied the Oxadiazon 2G through specialized equipment.  The Applicator used a Pink Foam to mark where he applied on the course.

Above you can see the particle size and the coverage following the application.  The Oxadiazon 2G are the "Salt Like" speckles on the Irrigation head.

Vertical Mowing Greens

February 13th and 14th we completed a routine verticut on the Greens.  Verticutting removes lateral growth and encourages up-right growth from the turf.  To provide a true putting surface we want to encourage the plant to grow up-right and not lay over.  The cutting units are set at -1/64" below zero and we cut up and back on the same pass to ensure a smoother surface.  At this setting (-1/64") playability is not affected by the process.  During the summer, this process will be more aggressive and completed during our Tuesday Closures to minimize the impact during play.  Verticutting is one of the several routine processes to ensure a True and Consistent ball roll on our TifEagle Greens.

 Juan Pablo completes a Backtrack pass on #13 Green.

This is the material following the Vertical mow.  The lateral growth has either been cut and removed or lifted for the greens mower to remove.



Above is following the greens mower.  Some of the lines are visible but do not affect ball roll.

Weed Control

Annual Poa is a major weed problem that we see late November thru early March.  Since Annual Poa is a grassy weed, it requires selective removal from the bermudagrass turf.  Selective removal means, a product is applied that will remove the Annual Poa without harming the Bermudagrass turf. 

 This Plant has not been treated.

 This is 3 days after treatment.

This is 7 days after treatment.

A Change in Color PART 2

Above is the picture taken February 4th in The previous post below: A Change in Color

This picture was taken February 11th. 

As we discussed the TifEagle greens are healthy and producing quality playing surfaces.  The temperatures have warmed since February 4th which has again produced the color change that we see above.  We hope to have seen the last of the cool weather and look forward to improved growing conditions for the turf.   

A Change in Color

This Picture was taken on January 9th on #17 Green. 

This Picture was taken on February 4th on #17 Green. 

We had average nighttime temperatures of 65 degrees for January.  Through February 5th, average nighttime temperature was 50 degrees.  This temperature difference causes the change in color that we see today.  As the nighttime temperatures continue to warm, we will see a color response in the greens.  The TifEagle Greens are very healthy and continue to produce quality playing surfaces.