Every off season during
the Winter months I evaluate the previous year's operation and look for ways to
improve. While taking in all successes
and struggles there is always something to learn and grow from. Spring of 2014 is something I wouldn't wish
on anyone in the turf industry as the ice damage created a lot of extra effort
to reestablish turf and still allow the course to be somewhat playable. During the evaluation over this past winter
one glaring thought repeatedly entered my mind.....WE NEED MORE BENTGRASS! The ice damage scenario did create an
opportunity to incorporate Bentgrass into our otherwise Poa filled greens and opened
my eyes to the steps we need to take as we move forward into the future.
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| Ice damage from Winter 2014 |
There are a few things we
can do to increase the population of Bentgrass within our greens and that needs
to be a focus of our efforts. Cultural
practices, environment, & water management are three of the major factors
that can limit Bentgrass and/or promote Poa. While evaluating this winter, I focused
on these three factors. Cultural
practices performed by the Grounds Department is driven by sound agronomic
knowledge that promotes bentgrass but at the same time allows for the existing
Poa to give a sound playing surface.
Over the years these practices has increased the Bentgrass population
but not to the extent needed to prevent issues such as ice encasement. The two major factors that will determine our
success of increasing the Bentgrass population lies within the environment and
water management. Sunlight & air
movement are two simple environmental issues that can aid greatly in limiting
Poa and allowing Bentgrass to have a fighting chance. Tree removals around each green complex will
allow morning sunlight and increase air movement. Water Management has two major factors with
either our ability to apply irrigation properly and our ability to remove water
during times of heavy rainfall. Our
irrigation system issues are well documented and is a limiting factor as some
of the out dated equipment either doesn't apply the irrigation water uniformly or operates without notice. Water removal via drainage is really a non
factor with the age of our greens but drainage is something we can invest in
moving forward to allow the excess water to be removed from the soil profile
allowing for the proper growing environment within the root zone.
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| Slit seeding of greens |
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| Topdressing greens |
Cultural practices can and will be adjusted beginning
this Spring. Slit seeding Bentgrass
which was performed last Spring to reestablish our greens from the ice damage
will become part of our Spring cultural maintenance routine. Equipment resources were obtained this past
winter to allow us the recreate those same efforts of incorporating Bentgrass
into our greens less the ice damaged brown turf of last year. Beginning
the week of May 4th, we will begin this process on all the greens followed by a
heavy topdressing. During the 1-2
weeks following the process, the greens will be open for play with no
restrictions but during this period of seed establishment the greens will be a
little slower than normal as we limit our maintenance activities. The proactive approach we are taking can only
help Idlewild improve as we move forward into the future. Any questions please feel free to reach out
to me and as always thanks for the constant support from the membership.
