Summer Funk

Summer conditions have been very challenging to our greens over the past 2-3 weeks.  Many may assume that the frequent rains are a benefit to us, but that is not the case.  We've outlined in previous updates the poor drainage/infiltration rates of our greens.  A wet summer is much harder on us than a dry summer.  A wet off season is also painful and, in fact, some of the visible damage you see are  symptoms of a cool weather pathogen that have just recently shown up.  The disease did it's damage to the roots in cool wet weather, but symptoms weren't visible until recently.  Other issues we are having are active now and also thrive in wet soils.  We do a lot of scouting and hand watering to avoid over wetting areas that are not dry.  However, when it's raining almost every day, we lose control of soil moisture levels and are at the mercy of mother nature.  Wet soils retain heat and bentgrass roots die in hot soils.  Wet soils also mean less oxygen and all living things need air.  What can we do to avoid this situation?  Re-building greens for LOTS of money and losing a season of golf is one option that would not be unheard of for 30 year old greens.  However a more assertive aeration program would be much easier and save hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Aeration won't overcome every challenge, but it is the only option we have available at this time.  We will include more aeration in our wish list for 2023 and try to come up with a plan that doesn't cause too much angst.  

On the bright side, the ball still rolls well and the rest of the course is in great shape for this time of year.  We are nearing a much better season for greens health.  Aeration is scheduled for August 22-25 so stay tuned for more details on what we will be doing at that time.  It depends largely on conditions over the next two weeks.  

This is embarrassing for a superintendent.  Unfortunately,
I've seen this many times in August.  Roots have almost disappeared.