Course Update 7/15/2020

Nothing dramatic to report on the golf course…which is a good thing.

After all of the June and early July rain, the turf hasn’t had any opportunity to stress due to lack of water. In fact, several low areas on the golf course began to thin out due to waterlogged conditions. Our traditional dry areas and hot spots will start to show again as the temperatures come up into the end of July. We will spend more time hand-watering these areas so that the rest of the course does not become overly wet from turning up the entire irrigation system.

Some insect damage from Black Turfgrass Ataenius is beginning to become apparent on holes 1, 4, and 8. We try to make early Spring applications and try to estimate where the insects will affect us the most so that we avoid root damage wherever possible. These particular areas were not sprayed and will show signs of stress as it gets warmer. The Ataenius eat the roots which obviously causes stress on the plant as it tries to draw more moisture in warmer temperatures. Damage will look very similar to areas that are drought-stricken. This is nothing new for this golf course, but I know that some of you wonder what causes some of the stressed areas and this is a good example. In the past, insect stress was limited to very specific areas. It would seem that with winters being as mild as they are we are experiencing more insects that survive and thrive in the Spring.

Greens are rolling smoothly and are up to speed, looking very healthy.