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 and Week in Review

Summer has smacked us in the face these last 2 days and what a change it was as the temperatures nearly hit 90 degrees yesterday followed by a welcomed warm rain.  These are some key ingredients that we have been missing the past month as we deal with the recovery process.  The cover shuffle of taking off and putting on the covers has been a lot of extra time and effort but the warmer temperatures has allowed us to leave the covers off.  Based on the forecast, the covers will remain off until next week as it seems the warm weather may retreat a little later next week.

The positives from our recovery efforts are quite evident as you can see the seed germination that has taken place in the damaged areas.  While I would have much preferred better weather in April, I am pleased and optimistic considering the hand we have been dealt by Mother Nature.

Seed germination is the slit seeded lines

After evaluation earlier today, we will be opening up greens 3,4,5,13,&16. Greens 7,8,10, &11 will remain closed and be reevaluated next week.  There is still much needed recovery on all the damaged areas but the decision is being made to allow our beautiful course to be enjoyed while also limiting the risk of not achieving what we hope to be a full recovery prior to the summer heat.  Damaged areas are marked around the outer edges with white dots.  Please limit your foot traffic to only retrieving you golf ball and putting into a playable area.  If you are coming onto a green, please walk around these areas as again to limit the foot traffic.  Thank you in advance.

The white dots surround the damage area.  Please limit foot traffic to ball retrieval only!!

The addition of another front range tee was completed yesterday.  Kudos to the crew for pushing hard to get the job done before the rain.  I am proud to have these guys around me as it doesn't matter if it is recovery, renovation, or general maintenance........they always get it done.

Irrigation installation & leveling of the front range tee



Low mow bluegrass sod installed and testing coverage of the irrigation coverage

I would expect the sod to start rooting in the next 7-14 days and from there we will start to lower the height.  Once the sod is established and at 1 inch mowing height it will be opened and used for irons only.  Hopefully this will all take place in the next 3-4 weeks and we can begin to enjoy this welcomed addition to the practice area.

Augering the holes for the new tee sign posts

The tee signs should be installed within the next 2 weeks.  The new sign posts will be installed next week and then the new signs will be hung the following week.  It sure is nice to check things off the list of "things to do."

Dimple tine spiking the damaged areas on greens to incorporate more seed

Very little disturbance to the turf but very effective in seed to soil contact

While I am happy with the seed germination & recovery we have gotten so far with the horrible weather in April, I wanted to get more bentgrass seed into the damage areas now that the weather may be in our favor????  This whole recovery process has been frustrating to say the least but I have to believe May will speed up the process and get the course back to its normal playability and beauty. I will keep you posted next week with any and all progress made.



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