Is it Fall Yet!?

After a very hot July we are hoping August temperatures stay cooler moving into September. July's average high temperature was 90 degrees which is two degrees warmer then the average of 88. Most areas of the golf course held up well through the heat and humidity. We have only noticed a little bit of Summer Patch in the roughs. The intermediates where we saw it the most last year are holding up well so far. The additional preventative application for Summer Patch has helped significantly this year.

Lack of air movement keeps the top section of the greens mix saturated which leads to shorter roots and unhealthy turf. The 6th and 12th green are two examples of where the air is stagnant during the summer months. You might have noticed a few things we have been doing to help reduce the moisture and create more airflow. A week ago we punched some small holes in these greens as well as the other areas weakening from stress, this is to help more oxygen get down to the roots. We have also been setting up a pull behind blower behind the green to help move air across the surface. The blower can be loud but it will help the plant recover from the stress heading into the fall. We  have also done a little bit of spot seeding on some collars to help the Bentgrass fill in. This fall and winter we will be doing some more brush and small tree clearing around these greens to help going forward.

The 12th green where some of the turf has weakened 

Blower behind the 12th green to create air movement

As we move into the fall we will be spraying out weeds and undesired grasses throughout the golf course. You will notice these grasses/weeds turning yellow then eventually dying. We will also be applying grip paint onto the cart bridges on September 6th when we are closed for aerification.

Thank you in advance for filling your divots and fixing your ball marks.  If you have any questions at all please feel free to email me at Patrick.McNamara@clubcorp.com.