The Perennial Ryegrass is Here and Playing Conditions are Ideal

The Perennial Ryegrass is here and playing conditions are ideal. The golf course overseeding program has been a huge success both agronomically and aesthetically. The ryegrass turf conditions are healthy and attractive, offering our members a different playing surface from recent winters. The overseeding program was the first step in moving the golf course towards "pre-construction condition" as described in your recent club newsletters. Below are some pictures of the Ryegrass establishment process from start to finish:

SCALPING THE BASE GRASS

USING THE GRADEN TO BREAK THROUGH THE MAT LAYER

SCALPING BASE GRASS BEHIND THE GRADEN FOR THE SECOND TIME

USING THE SUPER VAC 500 TO VACUUM THE CLIPPINGS AND DEBRIS

CLIPPING PILES FROM #18 FAIRWAY

SCUFFED UP BERMUDAGRASS AWAITING TO BE SCALPED

THE STAFF DROPPING SEED

A LARGE DRAG MAT USED TO ACHIEVE SEED TO SOIL CONTACT

SEED GERMINATION

SEED GERMINATION

THE STAFF HAND WATERING POORLY GERMINATED AREAS IN THE FAIRWAYS TO ACHIEVE RYEGRASS UNIFORMITY

THE STAFF HAND WATERING 18 FAIRWAY

THE FIRST MOWING AT 10 FAIRWAY

A SHOT FROM 3 GREEN LOOKING AT THE ESTABLISHED RYEGRASS PLAYING SURFACE A MONTH AFTER THE FIRST MOWING

#5 GOLF HOLE DEMONSTRATING A SPLIT MOWING PATTERN IN THE FAIRWAY A MONTH AFTER THE FIRST MOWING

A LOOK AT THE ESTABLISHED RYEGRASS AT #9 FAIRWAY WITH CHERRY HILL HOUSE

Winter Cover Will Be Deployed This Weekend

Saturday and Sunday afternoon winter covers will be deployed.


This weekend we will cover greens. Covering greens is a common practice done on ultradwarf putting greens during the winter months. This process helps our greens hold heat in the soil profile, prevents plant desiccation and protects turfgrass plants against extreme cold temperatures and wind. Covers will only be deployed on the front nine greens and practice green where shade and air pockets are a constant challenge to turfgrass health.
We will deploy covers at 3:00 PM in the afternoon prior to overnight temperatures forecasted to be below 40 F. If you plan on playing an afternoon round of golf, we suggest checking the overnight forecast before teeing off so you are not disrupted by the covering process. We will remove the covers after the frost has lifted the following morning (see frost blog).
We will communicate with the golf shop when we do cover the front nine greens. In the afternoon, the back nine greens will be available for play during the course of front nine turf blanket deployment.
Please contact the golf shop with any questions you may have.

Frost Delays Are on the Way

With colder temperatures upon us frost delays are coming. When frost is present play will be delayed until the frost has melted. This is done to prevent damage that affects the quality of the playing surface and could potentially be very expensive to repair.

Frost is basically frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle (Figure 1). A grass blade is actually 90% water, therefore it freezes. Because of the short mowing height, putting greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. Once the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together (GCSAA.org).



Figure 1. Close up photo of frost on a turfgrass plant.

Damage from ignoring frost delays will come 2-4 days later (Figures 2,3). Thinning and off color turf will result. Because of the cold temperatures the grass will not be able to regrow in the area leaving thin turf or even dirt.

Figure 2. Damage to grass after carts have driven through frost (photo courtesy Tommy Witt).

Figure 3. Footprints on a putting green after someone putted during a frost delay.

Here is a USGA educational video explaining further the effects of frost.

Please do your part to keep our grass healthy during winter months by adhering to frost delays. Call the pro shop on chilly mornings to see what time the frost delay is tentatively scheduled to be lifted so you will not be inconvenienced.

Golf Maintenance Celebrates the Holidays With a Feast

On Friday December 21, 2012 the Golf Course Maintenance Crew celebrated the Holidays with a grand feast of Turkey (provided by Bulloch Fertilizer Co.) corn, green beans, gravy, baked potatoes and a dessert cake. It was a great time for the staff and managers to relax, have fun and eat some good food. Nick Cassala, General Manager at The Ford, even stopped by to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hand out Christmas Bonuses to the staff.

Alan Bussey, Equipment Manager, carves the turkey provided by Bulloch Fertilizer.

Nelson Caron serves up the side dishes as Mr. Nick Cassala, General Manager, looks on.

Golf Maintenance staff eagerly waiting in line for to get a piece of that Turkey. Good Job Alan!

Not much talking going on as everyone is enjoying the great meal.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 From the Ford Plantation Golf Course Maintenance Staff:

Levi, Armin, Bersain, Mateo, Darinel, Jason, Eliezar, Jose, Angel, Pedro, Zach, Sean, Brian, Greg, Brandon, Jared, Brooks, Matt, Alan, John and Nelson

 

Please Repair Your Ball Mark

Repairing ball marks on greens is an important etiquette that preserves green playability and roll through out the day. Properly repairing a ball mark is the best way to ensure all golfers can enjoy their rounds with out disturbances on the green.

Unrepaired or incorrectly repaired ball marks can leave scars, raised turf prone to mower scalping, and bumpy surfaces. Always try to gently push the outside turf into the cavity without tearing the turf. A good practice is to always fix yours and find one more that has not been repaired.

Proper way of repairing a ball mark as suggested by the Golf Course Superintendent's Association.

Below is a United States Golf Association (USGA) video showing how to properly repair a ball mark.

Please help and do your part to ensure speedy turf recovery and a smooth playing surface for everyone by repairing your ball mark!

Winter Covers To Be Deployed



Friday and Saturday afternoon winter covers will be deployed.

This week we will cover our greens for the first time this winter. Covering greens is a common practice done on ultradwarf putting greens during the winter months. This process helps our greens hold heat in the soil profile, prevents plant desiccation and protects turfgrass plants against extreme cold temperatures and wind. Covers will only be deployed on the front nine greens and practice green where shade and air pockets are a constant challenge to turfgrass health.

We will deploy covers at 3:00 PM in the afternoon prior to overnight temperatures forecasted to be below 40 F. If you plan on playing an afternoon round of golf, we suggest checking the overnight forecast before teeing off so you are not disrupted by the covering process. We will remove the covers after the frost has lifted the following morning (see frost blog).

We will communicate with the golf shop when we do cover the front nine greens. In the afternoon, the back nine greens will be available for play during the course of front nine turf blanket deployment.

Please contact the golf shop with any questions you may have.

Figure 1. Covering greens can increase soil temperatures substantially. The picture on the left is from a green that does not get covered (45.8 F) while the picture on the right is from a green that gets covered (49.5 F