USGA Update

Madison Golf Club Website

 

Prelude to the Season

By Jim Skorulski, senior agronomist Northeast Region
November 28, 2012

Colder temperatures and recent activity of the Great Lakes snow machines are bringing to end another golf season across much of the region. Superintendents are busy with late-season topdressing, fungicide applications and installing putting green covers. Sub-freezing nighttime temperatures combined with dry weather this fall have been favorable for readying turf for the upcoming winter. Freezing temperatures trigger cold temperature acclimation processes in cool-season turfgrasses while dry conditions reduce moisture content in the plant’s crown, both of which will help turf prepare for and tolerate winter conditions ahead. Of course, a period of above normal temperatures and wet weather could negate the winterized benefits already achieved so we keep our fingers crossed.

An employee at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, uses staples to secure an impermeable cover. This is the final piece of a combination covering system that uses a permeable ground cover, a layer of straw and then an impermeable fabric that insulates underlying turf and keeps it dry during winter.

Northern golf facilities that manage annual bluegrass greens may be entering their most challenging season. Annual bluegrass has far less cold tolerance than other cool-season grasses. The higher moisture content in the tissue of annual bluegrass and its willingness to break dormancy earlier make it more vulnerable to varying temperatures and ice layers that can occur across the Northeast.

Turf managers will use winter covers to protect putting greens dominated with annual bluegrass. Remember, however, that covers have different functions and it is important to match the right cover system to its intended application. For instance, permeable covers provide protection from wind and may offer an earlier spring greenup. Impermeable covers offer wind protection as well but when installed properly can prevent turf from becoming hydrated and encased in ice. A combination of permeable and impermeable covers and an insulating material is often used on northernmost golf courses to prevent hydration and ice encasement and to buffer against wide temperature fluctuations. The combination systems usually begin by placing a permeable cover over the turf. This is followed by an insulating material and finally the impermeable cover. Insulating materials may include straw, bubble material, closed cell foam, or even some types of bunker liner materials. The impermeable cover is usually manufactured to the size and approximate dimensions of the green. The process of installing and managing these covering systems is more complex and expensive, but their use impacts survival of annual bluegrass in cold temperature climates.

Storm Update

The effects of Hurricane Sandy are still being felt in the Northeast. Storm cleanup and repair work continues and turf managers now have a better idea of turf damage sustained from saltwater flooding. The later date of the flooding and ability for some golf courses to irrigate flooded areas once saltwater receded has reduced turf injury on putting greens and other playing areas. Low-lying fairways and rough areas that were submerged for prolonged periods or sites where it was impossible to flush salts from soils have not fared so well and extensive overseeding and turf renovation programs will be required. Remember to check irrigation ponds that may have been breached or flooded during the hurricane. Salt levels should be checked at various water depths to make sure it is suitable for irrigation. We will continue to provide updates on recovery from Hurricane Sandy and subsequent nor’easter storms. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding turf recovery and renovation following storm aftermath.



Rules Change

I dont' have much to report on the golf course as it is snow covered but I was able to topdress all the greens before the snow.

Here is a rules change that was made by the USGA today regarding the putter:

Irrigation

Blowing out the irrigation system today preparing for winter. The pump houses will be winterized tomorrow.
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Course Update

Yesterday was the remaining crews last day of work for the season. The crew will come back in December for a day to cover a few greens for the winter. Most of the storm damage trees and stumps have been removed but the two stumps between 5 and 6 were too large to lift with the equipment we had on site. I am working on larger equipment to come in during the winter on frozen ground to remove the stumps. The greens were mowed yesterday and the cups were changed, we have a frost delay this morning but the course is ready for play once its gone.
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USGA November 2012

Storm Cleanup And Winter Preparation Continues

By Adam Moeller, agronomist, Northeast Region
November 14, 2012

Drill and fill aeration, which is an excellent deep soil modification strategy, has been performed at many golf courses in recent weeks.

The damage from Hurricane Sandy continues to be felt in many parts of the Northeast Region. Clearing of downed trees has been of utmost priority for many golf facilities. Recent course visits have focused on storm damage with many reporting 100-plus trees down! Damage from salt water has been showing up in full force this week for many coastal courses that experienced flooding. Any saltwater flooded turf that has not greened up may not necessarily be dead, but it should provide some idea of how extensive the damage could be. Knowing the severity of damage will be painful, but it will allow the grounds staff to determine the best plan of action to promote successful recovery.

The damage from Hurricane Sandy was followed by another damaging nor’easter, which dumped six to 10 inches of wet snow on many golf facilities in New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut. This heavy, wet snow was the coup de grâce for many trees in these areas. In many respects, the damage caused to trees on the golf course is a blessing in disguise because trees are often very detrimental to golf course turf. Unfortunately, these storms took down specimen trees at many facilities in addition to removing undesirable trees, i.e., those casting shade or interfering with turf health on key playing surfaces. After two consecutive years with a damaging hurricane and an early snowstorm, perhaps another mild winter like 2011 will repeat itself as well?

Winter preparations are being made across the region. Many courses have scaled back mowing operations dramatically to save on labor and improve grass health as winter draws near. Raising the putting green mowing height is a very beneficial strategy to reduce the potential for crown hydration and ice encasement damage. Although putting conditions may be altered, the program is in the best interest of the grass for next summer. The same is true for the installation of temporary putting greens in the approaches.

Late season cultivation is also being performed at many facilities in the region. Drill and fill and/or deep tine aeration are two of the most common late season cultivation programs for putting greens. Although disruptive to playing surface, these practices are very beneficial in alleviating soil compaction and deep modification of the putting green soils.

Logs

Removing more logs from the course today.
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Frost

There is a frost delay today, Saturday November 10th. No electric carts will be available today.

Snow

Great example of how the pines behind 3 green block sunlight especially during the shoulder seasons.
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Snow

The course is closed today due to snow. The tree work is on hold until ground conditions permit.
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Clean-Up

We have Greenwood here again today along with another contractor running an excavator to help get the logs up the hill on 5. We will get as much cleaned up as possible before the next storm shuts us down.

Trees

Greenwood really working hard for us today. All the brush that can be chipped is finished on 2,4, and 5 tee. Working between 5 and 6 this afternoon.
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Update

Tree company on property. Some holes will be closed to allow for tree removal. I will be on-site directing golfer flow.
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Sandy Photo Update

Here are some pictures of the course after Sandy:

4 Tee

2 Fairway

5 Tee

5/6 Fairway

6 Green

Update

The clubhouse has power but no internet or tv. Heat and hot showers are available as well as outlets to charge phones if needed. The grounds crew did a great job and we are open for play, even mowing greens. The large trees are still on the ground so use caution. Our tree company will be here Saturday morning to start their work, please use common sense when playing near them.
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