Enter Sandman…

Even though some extended weather forecasts were suggesting a slight increase in temperatures for Thanksgiving, the greens were closed for the season and the golf course has been setup for reverse play on Monday, November 21st. Those same forecasts were predicting rain, cold and potential snow immediately following Thanksgiving. The unpredictability of winter in Wisconsin is too much to gamble on. Properly preparing the golf course for winter can go a long ways in setting the stage for a successful 2012 season.

In the closing days of the season, we were able to empty and blow out the irrigation. All snow mold protectants were applied to the greens, tees and fairways. And finally, all putting surfaces and approaches were covered with a heavy layer of topdressing sand. Applying this sand layer requires 75 tons of sand and 3 days to complete. To avoid addition winter damage, this sand application should be made prior to the ground and grass freeze.

So why put sand on the putting surfaces?
• Sand provides some protection against the turf drying (desiccating) from the dry winter winds.
• Sand interrupts the potential for the formation of a solid ice layer. The darker sand grains will absorb solar energy and warm disrupting the ice.
• Sand will warm the putting surfaces in the spring and help initiate growth.
• Finally, upon receiving a spring brushing, the sand will help smooth and firm the surface as spring arrives.

Jeff Muller, 2^nd Assistant, winter topdressing #7 Green.

100% overlap produces the protective sand layer.

#8 Green. Sand topdressed applied and ready for winter.

Range Tee Divot Management

Our turf on our practice range tee is disappearing rapidly.  We fill divots on the tee almost daily.  However, with the high temperatures, the seed within the divot mix is having a difficult time germinating and establishing.  All members and guests can assist us in maintaining the range tee by maximizing the hitting surface.  Below is a link to a recent publication by the USGA Green Section.  It discusses the proper way to form a divot pattern and maximize the usable turf.


USGA Guide to Range Tee Divot Management

Water Management

As summer starts to unleash its heat and humidity, water management is critical throughout the golf course. We spent all spring attempting to provide the turf with the best opportunity to grow a deep and expansive root system. The turf will need to utilize those root systems over the next 6-8 weeks.

It is difficult to grasp this concept, but when it’s hot, watering the grass can do more harm than good. It takes a lot of heat energy to warm water. However, once warm, water holds onto that heat for a long time. Therefore, a wet soil in the summer will absorb and retain heat. The warmer the soil, the more stress the turf is subjected to. A drier soil allows the warm air within the soil to escape and keep the soil cooler.

So, we want to provide the turf with just enough water to cool itself through transpiration, yet not too much that causes the soil to heat up and bake the roots. This is where water management becomes critical, especially on greens. In order to monitor soil moisture, we measure it with a meter. Each green is divided into 9 sections and a meter reading is taken and recorded in the early morning following mowing. Each reading is then evaluated against the forecasted weather to determine the need for additional water. If an area requires water, an appropriate amount is delivered through 1-inch hose. ONLY the areas requiring water are hand watered. The intent is to provide the turf with sufficient soil moisture to get it through the day. Then as night arrives, the soil air can be exchanged and cooled. If surface temperatures are too high, we may perform a true syringe of the putting surfaces. The art of syringing involves spraying a fine mist over the turf. Syringing moisture does not reach the soil. Droplets land on the turf and are allowed to evaporate. The process of evaporation is a cooling effect and the surface temperature can be temporarily lowered, relieving some stress from the turf.

Assistant Superintendent, Harrison Beal,
records soil moisture on the putting green.



Volumetric Water Content reading: 12%



Daily Moisture Record Grid Sheet

 

Harrison hand watering #16 Green extension

When hand watering becomes too extensive and all areas are requiring significant water to support daily turf functions, the irrigation system will then be programmed to provide a deep watering that simulates a nice rain event. Deep and infrequent irrigation recharges the soil moisture and helps the turf retain its root system.


Water management is a skill that I’m constantly attempting to improve and understand. OGC is home of many challenging soil situations (green extensions) which behave differently during various parts of the season. Measuring the soil moisture provides a concrete value that improves our understanding of providing exactly what the turf needs, instead of what we think it needs.

Ecological Management of Poa annua

Turfgrass management is a science. Science is supported by research. Research yields advances in all technologies. This spring, two University of Wisconsin – Madison professors began performing a research trial on our #7 fairway. The researchers ultimately want to learn more information about how non-chemical practices can reduce the spread of annual bluegrass. Specifically, they wish to document the individual and possibly synergistic effects of nitrogen, water, and iron management on the invasion (or elimination) or annual bluegrass.

Due to our recent re-grassing to bentgrass and our desire to reduce and limit Poa annua in our playing surfaces, OGC was a perfect candidate to participate. Westmoor Country Club will also be participating in the similar fairway trial. The O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research Center near Madison will conduct another trial on putting green turf.

As with all research trials, results can only be analyzed after data has been collected for multiple years. It’ll be difficult to remain patient, but I’m excited OGC has been able to participate.

Hazardous Repair

Muskrat tunneling and erosion caused by the rise and fall of the water level has produced significant deterioration along the pond bank on #13.  It is important to improve the playability of this area for this season until the Club determines the best course of action for a long term solution.

Bank erosion and playing surface interruption.

 Collapsed areas are filled with soil and tamped.

 The entire area is finished raked and prepared for sod.

 Sod is installed.

 Project completed.

Sod will be hand watered until rooted and established.