#14 Fairway
These are the conditions the golf course has been under in the last few days. The golf course has received over 7.00" of rain since Memorial Day. Now, the remnants of former Tropical Storm Bill is slowly working it's way northeast with possibly more rain. The over-saturated soils have been accompanied with warmer than average temperatures and high humidity, creating extreme disease pressure. All three big diseases (pythium, brown patch and dollar spot) have already made their introduction into the rough grass areas. At this moment the grass appears to be healthy, lush and green, however excessive growth and waterlogged soils lead to shallow, dysfunctional roots in a matter of weeks. Usually you do not see the effects of shallow roots until a dry and warm weather pattern prevails. Once surfaces dry out, the roots are too shallow to utilize the moisture from deeper within the soil profile. The grass prematurely wilts, thins and can even die. The next few weeks we will be in defensive golf course management. As soon as conditions allow, we will try to combat some of the negative effects that the weather has placed upon us. Solid tinning playing surfaces will help to dry and add oxygen into the soil, allowing roots to breath and remain deep. Water management will be crucial, keeping the soil dry without allowing the grass to wilt. Also, timely fungicide application will play a key role in maintaining the health of the turfgrass.
