Mid Summer Report Card

Summer continues to punch us in the mouth.  Rains are helping in some ways and hurting in others. Heat is helping in some ways and hurting in others.  Some of the rains have been combined with gale force winds which adds another layer of drama.  We are hanging in there and there is a long way to go before weather helps more than it hurts.  We did not have a great report card this semester, but we have perfect attendance and are a joy to have in class.  This is my report card for the course after a month of summer:

Greens = B+

Tees (except new tees on 8) = B

New Tees on 8 = F

Fairways = A+

Rough = B

Bunkers = D

Greens

Greens are holding up very well considering the heat and rain.  We lose control over moisture levels when it rains, but our efforts in drainage and cultural practices seem to be helping us make do even with more rain than we'd like.  Speeds are slower due to a very rapid growth rate.  That growth rate is due to organic matter breakdown and subsequent nitrogen release.  We are on a very lean diet, but organic matter breakdown is like a fertilizer application that we don't control.  We were hoping to avoid making growth regulator applications this season (products used to slow down growth rate), but have begun adding this to the menu in hopes of getting the rapid growth rate to relax a little.  We are glad to see signs that organic matter is being consumed naturally as it's much less painful and effective than aeration.  

Tees

Tees don't get the same level of input that greens get even though they are the same type turf.  They also don't have nearly the irrigation coverage or drainage needed to maintain A+ status in the summer months.  B is pretty good given the restraints from construction and budget.  We have 74 tee boxes and some are A+ and some are D- not including the new tees on 8 which don't register on the scale.  

New Tees on 8

As feared, the lack of internal drainage has cost us the new turf on 8 tee.  Given the golf calendar and weather there is nothing we can do about it now, but we are working with the contractor to make it right.  Fall will include another visit and some corrective measures.  You'll recall they came in May and added internal drains on the back tee, but that hasn't been as helpful as expected.  It's embarrassing to be in this position, but we'll get it fixed.  It proves we shouldn't try to do this work in the winter when soil is muddy and impossible to grade.  When it's 100 degrees and soil is saturated, bentgrass will not survive.  When you add 150+ rounds a day on it things go bad quickly.   Bermuda would be better right now, but it can't take the saturated soils much better.  However, it would not survive the winter golf schedule.  Bent is the right grass, but the soil needs work. 

Fairways and Zoysia

This is the peak of the season for zoysia.  As much as the bentgrass dislikes mid summer that's how much zoyisa likes it.  It's hard to mess it up.  

Roughs

The roughs are a mix of just about every grass that can exist in Virginia.  Fescue, Bermuda, Bluegrass, and some zoysia make up the areas that we mow as rough.  It's hard to get a perfect program for maintenance when you're working with so many different grasses.  Irrigation needs, mowing heights, mowing frequencies, fertility levels, weed control products, traffic tolerance, etc...are all unique to each grass.  Considering this dilemma, the fact that things are fairly green and uniform is good.  Weeds have become an issue with the recent rains so we are attacking that now.  

Bunkers

We've had to put bunkers on the lower end of the priority list due to a number of factors.  As such, I'm not happy with them or the way they look and play.  Recent storms and extremely high round counts and outings have made it impossible to catch back up.  They need a renovation and improved staffing levels to earn an A.  They could also use a bump in golfer etiquette, but that is an industry wide dilemma right now.  COVID put a chokehold on rake usage and we haven't recovered.