shade

Shade not only influences the amount of light available for plant photosynthesis but also affects light quality. Shaded Bentgrass greens are usually more succulent and commonly have a poor root system. These circumstances and a decline in photosynthesis, combined with frequent low mowing and nearly constant traffic, make it difficult to maintain healthy creeping Bentgrass on greens that shade.

            As you can see by the shade in the pictures of 18 green at Creek Club it receives very little morning sun.  During our winter months the 18 greens are one of the last green to thaw from frost.  The 18th green didn’t receive full sun till noon and then it was back in shade soon there after.  We took the simplest remedy to shade by simply removing the trees.   Kevin O’shea the head horticulturist for the golf courses contracted Precision Tree Service. They completed the project in one day.

  At the very least, it is critically important that greens receive as much direct sunlight as possible.  In the pictures below you can see the time line of before tree removal and the next day after tree removal photos.

 

2014 RainFall Totals

 

From: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 To:    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

From Jan-1 To Dec-31 Total Precipitation [in] Number of Rainy Days 2014 2014 54.91 121 2013 2013 54.34 100 2012 2012 38.17 106 2011 2011 39.91 107 1961 1990 48.11 N/A 1971 2000 47.12 N/A

Fore The Golfer: How to Repair Ball Marks

Fore The Golfer: Frost Delays and Turfgrass Health

28° Frost Delays begin

Zoysia patch fall preventive application.

Today we sprayed tees and fairways with a preventive fungicide application for Zoysia Patch.  The weather conditions have been very favorable for the development.    
Zoysia patch, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is the most common disease of zoysiagrass in our region. Symptoms are most common seen in the spring as zoysiagrass enters or breaks winter dormancy. The patches range from just a few feet across to 20 feet or more.  Circular areas of thin, tan zoysiagrass initially develop in late September to early October during cool, rainy weather and again in April and May. Leaf blades, particularly those near the patch edge, may develop a yellow orange color, causing an orange margin.   The symptoms will fade as temperatures increase in summer, but often reappear in the same areas when conditions become more favorable.

 

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