Effects of Winter Weather.

We field a lot of questions about discoloration and recovery of turf during the winter months. The cooler temperatures during the winter make the Bermuda less active across the entire golf course. We are very proactive and use due diligence when we see a cold stretch coming in, we will manage the plant health and tissue as best as possible. Raising of mowing heights, additional fertility application prior to, and use of pigments to keep the canopy of playing surfaces as warm as possible. While day time temperatures have been close to the historical average, we have been well below the average during the nights with temperatures in the mid 40's to lower 50's.

#18 Taken on Dec. 8th just prior to the most recent cold event

#18 Taken on Dec. 14th, after 3 consecutive nights in the 40's, with a noticeable color difference on the fairway and also the putting green 

 

 

For more information on this topic, please follow the link to the USGA Green Section article. Cold Weather Blemishes.

Foliar Fertility

As the temperature continue to cool down we have had to alter our fertility program for the winter months. As soil temperature drops the bermuda become less active, we will be supplementing foliar fertility in with our existing granular program. By definition this is the application of foliar sprays of one or more nutrients to supplement traditional soil applications of fertilizers. There are several advantages to foliar feeding, also known as spoon feeding, such as rapid plant response and low burn potential but some disadvantages include lower rates and increased applications. We currently use this process on the putting surfaces and we are going to be extending this outward on to the tees. We are very excited to see the results as we move forward into this new aspect of our management program.

We recently replaced our old shelves in our pesticide building. All products have been classified and alphabetized.

These are two of the main products we will be applying to all areas of the golf course. 

A foliar fertilizer package being applied to the greens. 

Drainage Improvements

We are in the final phase of our major project season. We have started to correct some drainage issues around the golf course. We are currently installing a new catch basin in the middle of #17 fairway to help the performance and playability of the landing zone. We appreciate the patience as we know it is unsightly but we have sodded the area to celebration bermudagrass. It will remain ground under repair until the new sod is able to be played from. We are very confident that this will improve not only playabilty from the area but also aesthetics as the area was very unsightly.

Here we see where the turf remained under water for several days resulting in turf loss.

Efrain removing sod and getting ready to start the grading to the drain.

Quinonez is putting the final touches on the main line connecting to the bunker drainage.

A look down the line before the installation of the drain. 

The work continued into the morning and here the staff is preparing the last lines.

Project is complete and Celebration has received a couple mowing's