Course Update....Another Week with Mother Nature!

Memorial Day weekend provided us with some excellent weather that served some major benefits with the recovery of greens.  The new bentgrass seedlings really started to grow and spread laterally helping to fill in the ice damaged areas.  Tuesday following Memorial Day was very productive as we were able to get a lot of work done but unfortunately that evening 2.2 inches of rain flooded the course.  Another case of 1 step forward and 2-3 steps back which has been the norm this Spring.

Bentgrass germinated and starting to spread laterally filling in the voids



Productive day with needle tining greens prior to the 3rd round of seeding

2.2 inches of rain fell and set the plan off track

6 green with a river running thru it

15 fairway was "boat only"

Wednesday was pretty much spent pumping water and trying to get the course cleaned up and ready for the next day.

Thursday the crew did an excellent job and got all the ice damaged areas on greens seeded and topdressed.  With the weather now on the warmer end of the spectrum as compared to the 2 previous months, the recovery process should move at light speed in comparison.  Most greens are about 85% recovered with a few of the greens significantly further behind but still much improved.

Dimple tining damaged areas to incorporate the seed for good soil/seed contact



Completed area with seeding and topdressing

The new front Range Tee height of cut has been lowered to the Intermediate height and should be ready for use in a couple weeks.  Next week I hope to get aerification and topdressing completed.

Mowing the Range Tee to Intermediate height

Range tee with an early morning irrigation cycle

I will update things next week with hopefully the opening of the tees at 2,10, & 16.

Course Update....Weather Once Again Dictates Progress & Not In A Positive Way

I am running out of adjectives to describe 2014 but one thing is for sure, 2014 will be remembered for a long time & not in a good way.  The struggles to the beginning of this golf season have been well documented and as the window of opportunity that Spring brings quickly washes away; I have come to the conclusion that 2014 is going to be a real battle.  The development of the new seedlings has been slow with the below average temperatures which could lead to underdevelopment of the new plant prior to the summer heat.  It can bring overwhelming thoughts at times as I try to adjust/adapt to the ever changing weather.  We have done all the right things and given the effort needed but this proves that Mother Nature dictates the success of things as the environment is a major component in the health of living plants.  All that being said, progress has been made and brighter days are ahead.



With the colder nights and chance for frost covers have been put back on recovering areas

On Wednesday, we pushed the envelope and got all the greens, tees, & fairways mowed getting things somewhat under control.  Also, with the colder weather, we covered the damaged areas on greens to protect these areas from the well below nightly temperatures.  These areas will remain covered until more moderate temperatures return.  All greens are open for play with the exception of 7,8,10,& 11.  The other greens will have partial covers but portions of the greens are open.



Flooding conditions in some areas while other areas were just fully saturated

Over the past 7 days we have received over 4 inches of rain with still more looking to fall from the skies today.  A lot of labor hours have been lost and numerous tasks not completed due to the overly wet, rainy weather.  None of the additional seeding of greens or fairways was able to get started & it has been a crap shoot with keeping up with mowing the fairways and rough.  Bunkers have been wounded severely from all the rain and we will need some dry conditions to get the course tamed once again.  The crew is ready to tackle the task at hand and hopefully it can start tomorrow if conditions allow.

Typical bunker conditions following heavy rain events

Flooded conditions

Saturated conditions limiting mowing of the rough

Tire tracking throughout the course limiting normal maintenance

The rain has had one positive affect.  The sod at the new range tee is beginning to root & we haven't needed to water it.  Hoooray!!!

Dodging the rain drops, a few crew members mowed the new sod for the first time at the New Range Tee

The new tee sign post have been installed this week and beginning next week all the new tee signs will be hung.  A little clean up of the crushed brick area surrounding the tee sign & bench and things will be looking good.

New tee sign at #1

Lastly, I wanted to point out something that we usually don't see in normal years.....Poa Seed Heads!!

The sea of white shows all the seed produced by Poa Annua on a green

Here is a closer look at all the seed production on a fairway

In normal years we apply a combination of growth regulators that suppress the production of seed.  Unfortunately, these products were not applied this year based on the fact that we had so much turf recovery & reestablishment to achieve after the ice damage from the terrible winter.

I will update you next week and hopefully it has some good news & weather to go along with.

Course Update...With Some Good News & A Few Tidbits!!!

It has been a rough spring to say the least due to the havoc caused from last winter and at times hard to find any good news to bring you but today is a little different.  Yesterday we were able remove covers, mow greens, fertilize, evaluate progress, & replace covers.  I am happy to say, even with the less than ideal weather; their is progress being made in regards to the recovery of greens. 

Bent grass seed germinating where we slit seeded

With it being May 1st, I am a little disappointed in the progress from a calendar date stand point but I am really happy based on the poor weather we have experienced throughout the month of April.  The covers has aided greatly in the recovery process and that was evident yesterday while inspecting all the greens.  The difference in recovery from covered and non covered greens is significant and will allow us to begin opening some of the greens for play.  Beginning on Saturday, 9 holes with greens in play are to include 1,2,6,9,12,14,15,17,& 18 as well as the putting & chipping green while the remaining 9 holes will be playing to temporary greens.  Greens 2,9,12, & 17 will have portions of the green covered so please stay off covered portions other than to remove your golf ball and put back into a playable area.  While this is a far cry from having the course back to normal, it is movement in a positive direction and efforts will continue to expedite the recovery process.  Hopefully the month of May will bring more favorable growing conditions as that is the key ingredient missing in the recovery equation.

This scenario is obviously something I hope to only see once in my lifetime but I am extremely proud of the extra efforts taken by the Grounds Staff, my professional organizations such as the CDGA & MAGCS and their efforts to share/gain information, & the membership in the patience it has shown.  This is a fluid situation that will continually be evaluated & amended as recovery allows.  It is a fine line between allowing the recovery to take place & pushing the limits of allowing play.  The story and outcome are still being written but the hope is for as full of a recovery as possible prior to the prime golfing months of the summer.

The new tee signs and mounting posts have arrived.  I am hoping to begin installing the tee signs as soon as next week if the weather will be so kind as to give us some dryer conditions.  The new tee signs will be a great addition to the course and can't wait to see them on the course.

Beautiful new tee sign

The addition of a new front tee box at the range has been put on hold for this week with the wet conditions we have experienced all week.  Irrigation has been installed & rough grading is completed so we just need 2-3 days to get the finish grade completed and sod installed.  Fingers are crossed that work can be completed next week.

Considering the circumstances, I am very pleased with the overall conditions of the course.  The recovery process on greens and fairways will be the main focus and all efforts will continue to be given.  Course updates will continue to be given weekly or as new information becomes available. 

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.

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

Where We Stand & Where We Are Going After This Brutal Winter

Please go away Winter and be nice Spring

The calendar says Spring starts today but other than rain vs. snow & a few warmer days sprinkled in I am not completely sure it will ever get here.  We all suffered from this record breaking winter & the turf seems to have suffered also.  I won't rehash the details of the Winter as I am sure everyone has heard it enough by now not to mention lived it.  The course is currently about 30% snow/ice covered, areas predominately in shaded areas;  but I expect the snow/ice cover on Greens, Tees, & Fairways to be clear by the end of the week.  From a turf perspective, the duration of ice encasement for Poa Annua  is the real issue in relationship to this winter & as of my inspection walk yesterday this is an issue we will be dealing with this spring.   From a numbers perspective, 14 of the 20 greens have some turf damage with the severity ranging from 10% to 50%.  The extent of the damage is still to be determined and will remain somewhat of a mystery until temperatures increase and the proper growing environment is achieved. 

Inspecting turf under the ice & snow

Inspecting the greens as the snow/ice melted

Initial findings didn't look or smell good

In some of my previous blog posts I have tried to provide information as it pertained to the issue we may be facing.  While there is some clarity into what struggles the greens may face this spring, there is still some unknowns as we just don't know how the Poa will recover, if it will recover, or how quickly.  These answers will not come until Mother Nature provides the growing conditions necessary.  The issue that has caused this unsightly Poa is Ice Cover Injury.

3 green

11 green

7 green

5 green

13 green

Previous knowledge was that Poa could survive under ice encasement for 45-60 days before anoxic conditions would become damaging.  In essence, a toxic gas build up occurs as it is trapped under the ice.  Best guesstimate has the major ice formation taking place in mid January putting us over the 60 days as the calendar just eclipsed mid March.  The ice for the most part has receded with the handful of warm days and the visual inspection showed damage which was also observed with a very pungent smell referred to as "silage."  Obviously not what I was hoping for but wasn't completely surprised based on the time span under ice.  Samples have been removed from areas and brought into the shop to access if recovery could be achieved with more suitable growing conditions.

Samples & date brought into the shop.  Slow recovery

Ice cover injury is now in the rearview mirror moving forward but we still have concerns as we transition from winter to spring.  The major concern now is the issue referred to as freeze injury and is typically the major concern I have each spring but this year it becomes even more of a concern considering the stress the Poa has undergone from ice encasement.  Simply put...warm days allows the Poa plant to hydrate (take in water) thus breaking its cold hardiness which makes it more susceptible to both freeze injury should the temperatures drop below freezing and/or dehydration if high winds whip over the newly awakened turf.  These are the concerns that I am currently monitoring and evaluating but the basic fact is we need the weather to transition into spring sooner than later so recovery can begin & the potential for increased damage can be a thing of the past. 

 

New tees & the bent grass look great which is no surprise

Fairway turf seems to have minimal affects & look good

So what does all this mean moving forward into the beginning of the 2014 golf season?  Two words make the most sense when I collect my thoughts and strategies for the future.....SLOW & PATIENCE!  From a Grounds Department standpoint slow is how this spring seems to be playing out based on both the future 10 day & monthly forecasts as well as the recovery of the Poa Annua on the greens.  Patience is going to be needed by myself as I implement a recovery plan knowing that these things take time & pushing to aggressively can have adverse affects and ultimately slow down the recovery process.  For the Membership these two words also relate as the season is going to start out slow and be dictated by the weather and how it aides or impedes the overall process of both opening the course & its recovery with patience being the key ingredient as we get the course back to the expectation levels that everyone expects & deserves.

 

Aerification & seeding with bent grass will be very beneficial & key to recovery

What will be the Grounds Departments plan in getting the course back to these levels?  That can't be completely determined at this point but there are numerous possibilities  based on the initial improvements that are achieved just by Mother Nature's kind hand.  One thing I can safely say is this is a great opportunity to achieve a higher bent grass population which will be of great benefit to both summer & winter issues that we deal with having predominately Poa Annua greens.  This will entail aerificaton, slit seeding, & overseeding with a few of the newer, aggressive bent grasses.  Outside of that there are just possibilities at this point until we know a little bit more about how the Poa is going to respond once the weather becomes favorable.  As of now, we are in a holding pattern patiently waiting & slowly gaining knowledge on the What, When, & Where that will correct the Why of the Winter of 2014.

 

One thing I know is the sun will come up

 

The course will recover

 

and all will be right again as it should be.

In closing, I realize I am the bearer of bad news whether it is a frost delay, no carts, or in this instance a more longer term issue with the recovery of the greens from this beast of a winter.  It is part of being a Superintendent that I could do without but these decisions will always be thought out diligently with the course & overall enjoyment of the membership at the focal point of these crucial decisions.  With that said, I don't foresee the course being open for carts or pins in the greens during the month of March based on current conditions & future forecasts.  If and when things change, I will update the blog & inform the Pro Shop.  I have a positive feeling moving forward but also know that it is going to take some hard work, patience, understanding & I want to thank the membership in advance for the support.  As the course opens, I will make myself available as much as possible in and around the Pro Shop & putting green areas to answer any questions anyone may have.

 

Sincerely submitted,

 

Kurt Sams, CGCS