Friday, May 30, 2014

Disease monitoring...

We use dots of paint to measure whether a spot is growing and active. This area may be something as minor as stress from a muffler. We will monitor over the next few days to see if it is spreading.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Sprigging trials...

You will notice some shaggy looking areas on #8,9,&14 fairways.
We are doing some planting trials on those fairways using the same variety of bermudagrass that was used on #5 approach.
The grass was planted in one direction and then crimped again in another direction. Then those spots were rolled the following day to ensure good soil contact. You will remember that the approach on #5 was sodded; for bigger areas it is more cost effective to sprig.
We will adjust our pre emerge programs and fertility schedule for these areas over the next few months. Play should not be affected and is actually encouraged in these spots. Cart traffic and foot traffic will help with the real world trial.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Latitude bermudagrass...

The Latitude Bermudagrass that was sodded on the fifth approach seems to have survived the long, hard winter fairly well. I am impressed with the consistency of green up and the lack of any patch diseases. 
It could be that the plants are still young and spring dead spot has not been able to come in yet. Looking at the latest research from VA Tech, we will change up our fertility practices a bit along with some fall fungicide applications and see if we can keep it clean. Overall, not a bad playing surface for the first of May following such a tough winter!!!