Update and Turf Lesson:

Here is a turf lesson in simple terms.

FCO greens are primarily  Annual Bluegrass AKA-Poa annua.  Poa is a winter annual and is considered a ‘weed’ in the turf industry.  This turf is very susceptible to winter damage due to its low tolerance to cold temperatures and its extremely high susceptibility to ice damage.  Over the course of winter, there are 5 main causes of winterkill that we watch for. 

1)  Low Temperature. 

2)  Desiccation (death from the drying during winter)

3)  Ice Accumulation

4)  Crown Hydration

5)  Disease

How does this relate to FCO and primarily #2,#11 and #14 Greens you ask?  Last winter, we had several freeze thaw cycles through the months and this actually causes the potential for damage to increase on the putting surface.  Add opening the course and playing on frozen greens (like we did the first week of February) on the top and we’re increasing the risk to damage the greens.  On top of playing on frozen greens, the three greens mentioned are located at the low points of the property meaning all moisture will drain and accumulate to these areas.  During the day the snow would melt and surface drain down the fairway and collect on the low points of the greens.  At night, the water would freeze and turn to ice.  Over a 2 week period, those areas accumulated a 5-7” layer of ice which prevents gas exchange which limits the oxygen and increases carbon dioxide to toxic levels creating turf loss. 

What can do we do to prepare the greens for winter?  Before we shut down, we apply a heavy layer of sand (topdress) to the greens.  In doing this, we are attempting to protect the crown of the plant (the growing point) which decreases our chance for winter kill.  We also protect the plant with a fungicide so we avoid Pink and Grey Snow Mold. 

What was done this Spring when the issue was identified? We seeded these areas 2x, topdressed, needle tined and fertilized.  Those are all the correct steps to bring the green back, BUT we continued to allow foot traffic on these areas causing any seedlings that germinated to get destroyed by foot traffic.  With the extremely wet and cool spring, this was not a successful route.  Those greens needed to be roped off and ALL traffic should have been eliminated.  We eventually got to a point where sod was the only way to repair the greens so they are playable for summer.  We used our nursery green to repair #2 & #11 and they are healing nicely.  We decided to strip ALL of #14 and bring in sod from a sod farm and re-grass the entire area. 

How long will they be GUR or Closed?  #2 & #11 were completed 11 days ago.  The roots are just beginning to take and I envision this to be open in the next 10 days.  I am NOT going to rush opening the area and lose all progress we made.  #14 will be closed for a minimum of 2-3 weeks (open for Fun Fest for sure). The sod needs to ‘take’ (root) and then I will need time to mow down and prepare like all the other greens. 

I am going to reach out to ISTRIC which is a soil testing company and get some tests run on my greens.  There may be an underlying issue with what’s going on.  They will run some in depth tests and give strong recommendations on aerification, topdressing materials, fertilizer, etc.  This will not be cheap, but will only improve the condition of the greens.  It has to be done.  Also, I have set up a meeting with a seed salesman and he is going to give a recommendation on what type of seed we should be using and we will create and aggressive overseeding program in attempt to incorporate more bentgrass in the greens. 

In closing, over my 3+ years at FCO we have made HUGE strides to improve this facility.  The issue that we are dealing with now in VERY stressful and know I am doing everything in my power to repair these greens.  I need/will change my management philosophies and do more to protect this course.  I have been too ‘player friendly’ and it’s not helping.  I have heard hundreds of times “this is how we always do it” and “we’ve always opened first” and honestly, that’s not getting us anywhere.  We need to do things for the right reason and not because its what’s been done in the past.  There will be push back from a group of members, but I will take that rather than what we’re dealing with now.         

Flower Time

Now that the last frost has come and gone, the annual flower beds have been planted and ready for mulch.  The beds add a nice splash of color for the season.

Tree Planting

A big thank you to the 41 Club for funding the planting of 15 new trees! #2 Tee, #7,#8,#9 Tee and #15 (protecting #14 Tee) is where you will see the new trees.  These fill voids where trees have been lost over the years and also give some color to the #9 Tee complex area with the addition of three flowering Crabs.  Thank you 41 Club members for all of your support!

Spring Core Aerification

Today we will be wrapping up the Greens aerification process.  As you can see from the images below, we used a smaller tine (1/4") on tight spacing (2").  By using the smaller tine, it will speed up the healing process and still give us the results we're looking for from an agronomic prospective.  Playability wise, the greens will be rolling quick and smooth come Wednesday. 

 
 

#15 Rough

This winter we removed 8 Pine trees that sat between the cart path and Maples along #15 fairway.  Now that they are removed, we graded the area, seeded, fertilized and covered with a mat.  This cleans up the area and in the coming months, we'll have playable turf.  Please avoid this area until the ropes have been removed.  It will speed up the establishment as well.

Update- April 27,2015
After 2.5 weeks, here is what the area looks like now.  We have great germination going on under the matting and we're a few weeks away from it's first mowing.  HUGE difference!

American Elm (#2 Tee)

          

Yesterday (during the morning rainstorm), we lost the tree that sits on the southeast corner of #2 Tee (left of #10 fairway).  Not only did this tree help protect #2 Tee from tee shots from #10, but it was the most visible target when teeing off from the reservoir.  This picture really does not do the tree justice as it was easily one of the tallest trees on the property.  Where the tree is snapped off, it easily sits 20 feet in the air.  Next month when we're planting new trees on #7/#8/#9, we will add 2 or 3 trees to replace this one.  Thank you to Dref's Tree Service for getting here first thing to help get it cleaned up!       

                

Cart Path Work (Turf Pavers)

This week, we have started repairing the washed out entrance/exit points on cart paths.  We have identified the worst paths and that's where we will begin our repairs.  The images above are of #5 path by the green.  This area has been sodded several times, but eventually turns to mud and then washes down the slope.  By installing the turf pavers, we are providing stability to the surface and this will help prevent more washouts.  In the square portion of the pavers, we are filling with a sand/seed blend which will help mask the paver appearance.  Even with no grass, we still have a firm surface that won't wash out or turn in to a muddy area.  Other areas that we will complete are: #2 Green (completed), #14/#15 on both ends and #17.