TURF TALK FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Back nine greens and course update:

Dear Members,

‍It’s been a long hot summer, and I look forward to some cooling temperatures that September normally brings. The grass will not be under as much stress thus will grow and respond quicker to inputs of potassium and other nutrients, stay greener longer plus begin to store carbohydrates for the fall and winter seasons. September also marks the beginning of raising the height of cut of our fairways and tee tops, so they won’t thin out during our winter dormancy. In saying that we have a fall fertilizer application of our fairways to aid in wintering combined with an in-house fungicide application to all fairways to aid us in minimizing spring dead spot which is a fungus developing in the fall but doesn’t show itself until the spring. If you are interested in learning more about Spring Dead Spot I have inserted a link for that purpose. https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/diseases-in-turf/spring-dead-spot-in-turf/. ‍

We will continue to top-dress and care for the back nine greens especially areas of resodding, washed out areas as we did for the front nine greens renovation last year. This is a process to get our greens in the best putting and healthy condition possible.

‍In September-October when the soil temperatures start cooling off, we will begin to see Poa Annua and Poa Trivialis pop up but rest assured we will control effectively as we have in the past by applying a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent the emergence on our greens and treat accordingly around the greens with a post emergent herbicide to minimize any development of the Poa in the green surrounds. ‍

Respectfully,

 Mike