Fairy Ring

This pesky organism can be found over the entire globe and has been frustrating superintendents for centuries. It is one of the largest single organisms and in northern Michigan there is a single fairy ring that has been growing for nearly 1500 years on a 37 acre site. Scientists estimate this 1 fairy ring weighs in excess of 21000 lbs.
Fairy rings are a fungus related to the mushroom group. These wood-decayers eat lignin which aids in cell strength. Lignin is a major component in thatch and why you will see it appear on golf course turf. The fairy ring doesn't attack the grass itself but the byproducts it produces attaches to the sand particles and creates  hydrophobic conditions. This layer repels any water we may put down and with the hot dry conditions we've been experiencing will quickly lead to wilting turf. There are a few fungicides that we can spray that will suppress/eliminate the fairy ring.  The second option is poking holes around the infection and watering heavily with wetting agents to flush the area and get water back to the bentgrass roots.

Type II conditions with mushrooms present

Type II on golf course fairway

Soaking fairy ring spots with wetting agent at Royal St. Georges

18 green.

Happy Father's Day!

 

Greens Update

Greens update:

The last two weeks have brought us very favorable weather and the greens have responded nicely. The vast majority of Graden lines have been covered due to normal soil temps, moisture, and the weekly fertilizer spoon-feeding we have been applying.

1 green has been slower to respond due to a couple of factors. 1 has always been a green that needs extra care to keep pace with the rest of the course. The trees that surround our maintenance shop block the typical westerly breezes that would help to dry out the green. This causes the roots to stay overly wet and will not grow as deeply as a green with full sun and airflow. Over time, the saturated roots will die back resulting in less root area to uptake proper nutrition and oxygen thus slowing growth. This was a serious issue on 4,7,9, and 11 greens in the past but with selective tree removal, more sun and wind is available and those greens are doing significantly better. The second factor is wear. The design of the green, which has steep slopes on the front third, the left third, and two small mounds on the right greatly limit us in making pin location choices. This concentrates all the play right through the middle where most of the recovery has been slow.

We have needle tined this green four times in the last month and a half and will continue to do so to help get vital oxygen to the roots. This will also provide much needed air 2-3” down to help dry out the green. I will reduce mowing frequency on this green to help alleviate additional wear on our part and increase fertilizer applications until the green has healed.

18 Green - Full sun and Airflow

Almost there- picture taken from 1 green center of traffic

Picture taken from 1 green away from high traffic areas

You are my sunshine,my only sunshine

Well it looks like the rain will cease for a few days. The good news is the temps will return to normal and get these plants moving. Just like last April we have been very chilly and it has taken longer than expected for the greens to fully heal. Bentgrass needs soil temps of 55-65 degrees to really start moving and the average during April was 52. Considering cool season grasses usually start going dormant around 50 it has been a slow recovery. We definitely needed the moisture after a three week stretch with less than .2" but temperatures are now what is most important. With these upcoming temps we should see a surge of growth this week.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all those moms, who show us love, give us inspiration and support, Thank You! Have a wonderful Mother's Day

Projects

Bridge ends:

The bridge ends on #8 and number nine have settled causing a harsh transition to the cart path. The steep interface on these holes allows rain water to rush down the path and undermine the soil underneath causing severe settling. We will be cutting out the ends and adding a layer concrete which should be immovable. Once cured we will top the concrete with 2-3" of blacktop. This will have to be done on a Tuesday when there is no play as the bridges will have to be closed. For now I have added some gravel to help alleviate the "bump"

Sodding:

I have plans to resurface 1 blue tee and 17 drop area due the large number of divots taken on these tees. Another issue on 1 is the contamination of poa annua that has crept into the voids. This plant is very difficult to eliminate with sprays and takes a considerable time to eradicate. The tee on 17 will be leveled as well due to years of topdressing that has caused a crown. I will post pics of the process and finished product.
The other area that will be addressed is the fescue bunker on the right hand side of 6 fwy. This bank has become very patchy and is in need of a revamp. These projects will completed this week.

Spring time!!

It looks like spring is finally here! After a freak snow storm last week the temps have normalized and the grass is definitely responding. This week we will be fertilizing the course with a healthy dose of nitrogen to take advantage of the warmer weather. This will help the plants to recover from all of the late fall and early season play. With a little shot of precipitation late week the results should be noticeable in a short time.