FAQs

We get a lot of questions in the Spring as the course morphs into form.  Below is a short explanation of the two most obvious changes taking place on the course....

Zoysia is finally turning green, but occasional frost like we had early this week will set it back a few days.  It will come and go some over the next few weeks as temperatures rise and fall.  Longer days are a big help.  We should be mowing it by the middle of April if we are lucky and it dries up.

It will be mid to late May before it's at its best.  Just before the zoysia has fully greened up it will produce a seed which is pretty ugly looking.  The seeds are a dark purple and after mowing, the shredded stems look white.  This phase will last a few weeks and then we'll be fully green and looking good.  

Annual bluegrass (poa annua) is in full bloom and the unsightly patches of seed stick out like a sore thumb.  Poa annua produces seed even at low heights of cut.  Many of our greens are infested with poa annua and this time of year it's very obvious.  Older greens that drain poorly and are heavily shaded are most susceptible.  We fit that description well unfortunately.  There is a new product on the market that might help us with this problem.  Ryan just spent some time in Richmond this week learning about it and we hope to do a test plot this spring.  Addressing shade and drainage issues are still critical to winning this fight even if the new product is a hit.  

Poa Annua (annual bluegrass) on a green

A few other recent comments/questions answered...

"why are holes 3 and 6 cart path only?"  On the few days when we've felt safe allowing carts off the path, those holes have been exceptions for a combination of reasons.  We put a lot of sod down last fall along the new cart paths and we also have a lot of trouble with zoysia patch on hole 3.  That fungus thrives in wet and/or compact soil so we are hoping a break from traffic will help.  Treatments with fungicides have done little to help so far.  

"when are you going to be finished with tree work?"  Unfortunately we will probably never "finish".  For now, we've reached the limit of what the budget can handle for the tough stuff where contractors are needed.  We've also reached the point where the in-house staff needs to shift focus to routine maintenance.  Also, tree work is hard to do when there are golfers everywhere and thankfully we are starting to see a lot of more of them lately.  

"when is the grass on the practice tee going to be open?"   Usually late April or early May on average is when we move off the mats.  The zoysia is not growing so divots don't recover.  Unfortunately, one of the downsides to all the extra play is the impact on the range tee.  In fact, divots taken last fall look very much the same now as they did when they were taken.  It's a nice problem to have and one for which we are actively seeking a solution. 

Divots taken when the zoysia is dormant do not recover until May. 
It's still a good idea to fill them with sand.  We know the mats at the range are not ideal,
but please don't take range balls to the course for practice.