Course Update....Patience Being Tried Severly!!

The update is that the status is still the same.  Course will play with 12 temporary greens for another week and the frustration will continue to build for all involved.  My frustration ultimately lies with Mother Nature as she has not delivered with consistently improved weather.  The Grounds Department has done all the right things from an agronomical stand point and put in the extra hard work but still Mother Nature sets in neutral.  On the good news front we have seen some improvement and signs of recovery albeit too slowly.

Seed germination beginning on greens.

The germination of the bent grass seed has started on the covered greens.  The covers have helped aid in increasing soil temperatures; while the covers are intrusive to golf, they are proving valuable from the recovery stand point.  It is my hope to see more germination by the first part of next week and to avoid any heavy frost due to cold weather as that just slows the recovery train down.

 

Solid tine aerification of fairways has been completed.  See the turf recovery in/near the holes??

Air is the key to life for all living things and nothing is more evident than the benefits shown in the photo above.  Hopefully the weather will become closer to normal so we can slit seed the fairway areas but until then we will get more recovery from the aerification.

Front range tee construction has started.

The front range tee box has been the focus this week.  Once again Mother Nature had an affect as the rain slowed down some of the progress.  As it stands now, the irrigation has been installed and rough shaping has been completed.  We just need a few dry days to finish the final grade and sod the tee.  We will be using low mow bluegrass sod to allow for the tee to be opened sooner.  The height of cut will be similar to the intermediate cut around the fairways. 

Hoping for sunny days and some control of the water.

The forecast for next week is more of the same horrible weather but hopefully May will be the needed change to the weather pattern.  I will update the blog next week with the status and any other relative information.

Greens & Fairways Recovery Process

Snow & ice from the winter of 2014

 

With the numerous blog posts over the past several weeks I would hope that everyone is informed about the issues we are dealing with after the harsh winter.  Both greens & fairways were affected the most due to the fact that water was unable to drain off the surface and froze creating the ice that ultimately led to the damaged turf.  As the weather SLOWLY turns for the better, the focus is on recovery.  This post is to provide a little more detail into the steps we are going to take & estimated time frame for the recovery process on the greens.  I will categorize the recovery process in stages with four stages and then give a brief description of each stage.

16 green

Stage 1:  Aerification, seeding, & topdressing

This process includes the standard aerification with core removal and cleanup followed by drop spreading a blend of 3 varieties of bentgrass & topdressing the greens with sand.  This is a pretty simple and effective step that is a standard practice.  It allows us to remove organic matter and incorporate topdressing sand which aids in numerous benefits such as reduced compaction, eliminate any thatch accumulation, etc.  The seed is dropped into the aerification holes for good soil to seed contact which is essential to seed germination.  We try to fill in the aerification holes as best we can to provide as smooth of surface as possible as the turf heals in normal years but this year we will be looking to establish new turf due to the damage from the ice.  This process was completed!!

 

Core aerification at 3 green

Pro Sweeper cleaning up the cores.  Awesome job by this piece of equipment

Topdressing the greens

Crew brushing in the sand on the greens

Stage 2:  Slit Seeding & topdressing

This process is very unique but essential to greens due to the circumstances.  The slit seeder will cut parallel lines through the turf as it drops seed into the slits.  This provides great seed to soil contact closer to the surface than aerification thus making it more efficient in turf reestablishment.  We will run the slit seeder in multiple directions on the damaged areas incorporating as much of the bentgrass seed blend as possible at a rate of 2-3 lbs per 1000 sq ft.  Once the slit seeder is complete we will sand topdress once again to fill the voids created by the machinery.  Stage will be completed today!!

Slit seeding the greens

The bentgrass seed is dropped into the slit for soil to seed contact

Sand topdressing to fill the voids and smooth the surface

Rolling the greens to seal off and smooth the surface

Finished product!! Just need time for the bentgrass seed to germinate and establish the new putting surface.

 

Stage 3:  Covering the damaged greens

This step will be the most restrictive part of the process because it will cause the closure of these greens but is also the most important in the recovery process.  The cover will allow the soil temperatures to increase at a quicker rate by serving as a blanket.  Soil temperatures currently are in the low 40's and we need soil temperatures at roughly 55 degrees in order to get good seed germination.  I will be covering 12 greens or portions of greens with the focus on the more severely damaged greens and/or areas of greens.  This will be completed today and leave these greens closed so please use the temporary greens.

3 green covered in damaged area

16 green covered in damaged area

17 green covered in damaged area

Stage4:  Recovery Time

This is the million dollar question and there is no set time frame.  Improved weather would go a long way in decreasing the closure time but until Mother Nature decides that, we will keep the greens covered and closed.  This is the best possible decision in order to prevent this situation from affecting the prime summer months of the golf season.  We are taking an aggressive and positive approach to the situation and  I believe that some of the greens will be able to be opened much sooner than others depending on the overall damage of each green.  Less damage will require less time and so forth.  I will update the blog weekly with the recovery progress and possible changes to the status of the greens.

Time will heal all wounds and we will be back to normal conditions.

Fairway Damage & Recovery

 

Fairway damage.  Notice the line where the ice cracked and allow gas exchange....green!

 

The fairways also have damage from the winter and these damaged areas will have to go through a recovery process also.  Fairways are not as significant due to the fact that putting is not part of its function.  Be that as it may, we will take the necessary steps of aerification & seeding the more severely damaged areas once we have determined the areas.  Please follow cart restrictions in order to aid in the recovery process.

 

Fairway aerifier in action

 

Solid tine aerification to allow air into the root zone

The situation we are faced with is somewhat unprecedented for our area but we are forced to deal with it properly in order to return the course to its original beauty.  We are not the only course dealing with this issue as the harsh winter caused havoc to numerous courses.  I ask that you please be patient while we take the necessary steps in the recovery process and thank you in advance.

Course Update

Course is open with carts today and the snow is gone from the delays it created yesterday in our recovery process.  We will begin slit seeding the damage areas on the greens today and hope to complete this process in a day or so along with covering greens.  I will have a detailed update on the blog by the end of the week explaining the process.  Until then hope for better weather as that is the key ingredient needed.

CDGA Update from Idlewild Visit & Quick Course Update

Another frosty morning

The frost is slowing us down this morning from the aspect of completing the aerification of greens but feel confident we will complete all greens by the end of the day to put stage one of recovery behind us.  A nice weekend looks to be ahead of us so I am going to attempt to open all greens for the weekend.  Next week we will look to cover & close the greens that suffered the most from the winter to speed up the recovery but that is still to be determined.  As time allows me over the weekend, I will post a more detailed plan of the total recovery process. 

 

****Please find below a letter written following Dr. Ed Nangle's visit to Idlewild****

 

Mr K Sams CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
Idlewild Country Club
19201 Dixie Hwy, Flossmoor, IL 60422

 

Dear Kurt,

 

As a follow up on the recent visit we made to your course I want to make note of the conditions observed and also indicate the impact that this recent winter 2013-2014 has had on your course and others in the area.

 

As indicated our weather problems began with early cold and snow cover. To a large extent this was not necessarily a big issue as traditionally snow cover tends to offer insulation over the winter period. The issues really began to occur when temperatures reached mid to high forties on January 9-13 (Figure 1). It was noted that there was melt ongoing under the snow and that water was running (Picture 1). There was a freeze prior to all water disappearing while some courses never saw complete snow melt. This initial ice formation meant that further snow packed on top of the ice and following almost record snow fall there was another slight thaw on top of the canopy in February which served to only thicken the ice.

 

Turf managers took various options as far as management but no one was completely safe. The removal of snow prior to thaw / rain events left one course with covers on four greens (Picture 2). Others who put covers on suffered from 30% damage (Picture 3) and will have some temporary greens until mid-May.

 

Your actions of snow removal in February were appropriate in an effort to reduce the impact of the ice – however record cold temperatures and total snowfall amounts meant that the task was impossible and also did not help with recovery. The growing of Poa annua in such climates leads to susceptibilities when weather extremes occur and after the coldest winter on record¹ with average temperature of just 22 degrees – next is 22.3 degrees there was an expectation that damage would be seen on a somewhat unprecedented scale. The damage left a distinctive smell which we discussed and is an indicator of anaerobic conditions which occur under the ice and is considered the main reason for turfgrass death.

 

Looking forward, the use of covers to try and increase soil temperatures to >55°F which is needed to really push bentgrass seed germination is going to be crucial to trying to return the golf course to top conditions. If the spring remains cold this will be a slow process, but if we receive warming temperatures then conditions could be back to optimal by mid to late May. Ensuring the irrigation system has not been affected by soil heave and that the salt content in the water is not too high is also going to be important. Allowing seeded areas to establish will be crucial otherwise the fight for quality surfaces will drag on into July and August as happened last year in Minnesota (Ref: Bob Vavrek / USGA). I would not hesitate to call Bob Vavrek and the USGA in for a visit also as they see this type of extreme weather further north on a regular basis.

 

In summation it seems like every course in Chicago has been affected by the winter. Creeping bentgrass greens faired consistently the best but fairways and tee boxes have suffered damage where Poa annua has invaded and all courses will need a warm spring to try and enhance recovery.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Thank you

 Edward Nangle PhD

Director of Turfgrass Programs
Chicago District Golf Association

Green Recovery Efforts Under Way.

The first stage in the recovery of our greens from the brutal winter started yesterday and is continuing through this week.  Stage one is to include aerification & heavy topdressing with light seeding of bent grass.  Yesterday we were able to complete greens 3,7,10, & 11 and today we hope to complete 4,5,8,12,13,16,17, & chipping green.  Greens 14 & 15 are on the wish list for today but that will depend on the progress we make throughout the day.  As you play each hole, please hit your approach shots to where the flag stick is placed be it on the green or temporary green.  Tomorrow we hope to complete stage one.  Thanks for your help & keep up to date with our progress by checking the blog daily.  I will post a more detailed post of the entire process we are going to do within the next day or so. 

Quick Course Update & New Range Tee Mat....Let's Play Golf!!!!

The course will open at 11am with carts.  Greens are open with the exception of 3,7,10,11 so please use the temporary greens on those holes. 

Frost to start the morning but the sun is shining

Hopefully you have been informed by previous postings of the issues that are a result of the brutal winter.  With that said, we will have to go through an unusual spring as we address the issues on the greens in recovering the playing surface to acceptable levels.  I will update the blog in the coming days with the necessary steps we are taking & basic time lines that I hope to achieve as we move forward into the season.  Thanks in advance for you patience and know that we are working hard to put this situation behind us.

New Range Tee mat installed

Please follow the daily restrictions at the range area and hopefully the new mat will provide a much needed improvement.

Course Conditions Update

Course status remains the same with walkers only & temporary greens for the weekend!!!

We finished with 1.6 inches of rain over the past two days which has left the course well past saturated once again.  The wet conditions has put a stop to the progress the course was making in preparation for opening but hopefully Mother Nature will bring us some good weather to help turn this spring into something closer to normal.



Behind 18 green you can see the saturated conditions that the rains have created.

We have seen some green up of the turf which is helping to decipher what turf areas will need TLC from the ice damage.  While the final game plan has yet to be decided; it is safe to say that some of the greens will be taken out of play and covered to speed up seed germination & recovery.

16 green

5 green & approach

9 green

Hopefully we can turn the corner and gain some soil temperatures to allow us to start the recovery process.  I will update course conditions & status next week and hopefully be able to deliver some good news.??????

Course Conditions Update

Spring has yet to get out of the gate which has limited the assessment of the greens from the ice damage & slowed the progress of opening the course.  A few nice days last weekend helped to awaken things slightly but not enough to know the end result on the severity of the damage to the Poa. 

Course cleanup has been under way for over a week but it has been tough with the overly wet conditions and being able to get equipment on the course.  As always we are doing the best we can with the situation that has been dealt to us by Mother Nature.

The course is making progress that has allowed us to deeptine aerify, mow, & roll greens in order to help the healing process that is so desperately needed as well as mowing 80% of the fairways.  The wet conditions has made these tasks difficult to achieve but we have been creative in making any and all attempts we can in preparing the course for golf.

As of today the course is only available to walking with the greens still closed so please use the temporary greens until instructed otherwise.  Depending on what happens the next 2 days with the forecasted rain will determine if we are able to make any changes to the course status.  I will give an update at the end of the week for the weekend course conditions.