August 19, 2011 -- Volume 49, Number 33

This bermudagrass turf will recover once the rains return - assuming it is not worn out by excessive traffic in the interim.     There is no better time to document the failings in an irrigation system than with aerial photos taken during a drought. If you are wondering how to get inexpensive aerial photos like this one, check out othis brief video -  Kite Aerial Photography  by Jim Moore, USGA

Much of the country suffered severe drought this year, and in some areas the dry, hot conditions continue to cause major damage to golf courses. With home lawns and parks also burning up, most golfers recognize that superintendents can only do so much to minimize the damage to their course. However, many are not aware that the damage suffered this year will affect courses for years to come. Facilities in the hardest hit areas have seen severe injury to trees, cracking of cart paths, and widespread damage to irrigation systems, in addition to the large-scale losses of turfgrass. Next year is likely to bring heavy weed pressure and reduced water allotments along with the continued loss of trees.  

Also, select this link to review a collection of USGA Green Section articles relating to drought and irrigation issues.

View the articles. 

Photo USGA/Kirk H. Owens 

Video - The Green Section Talks Fescue

Article - Fine Fescue Roughs and Fairways - Green alternative or niche grass?  

At first glance, fine fescue turf is ideally suited for a golf course desiring low-input playing surfaces. The term "fine fescue" describes a group of at least five closely related, fine-bladed grasses in the genus Festuca that have similar desirable characteristics, such as persistence under low fertility and tolerance to shade and drought.  

Undisturbed core analysis can determine important soil physical properties and whether soils drain adequately.

The

Building the USGA Green - Tips for Success  

Quality Control Sampling of Sand and Rootzone Mixture Stockpiles 

North Central Region

Hot Cocoa In July 

by Bob Vavrek, senior agronomist

Cocoa mats are a highly versatile and effective tool for moving sand topdressing into a putting green without causing excessive abrasion to the turf. A lightweight mat is also a less aggressive substitute for a stiff brush or broom when used to lift dense, grainy turf just prior to mowing operations.

Cocoa probably wasn't your first choice of beverage during the torrid weather we experienced across the upper Midwest during July and early August.  However, cocoa may just be your best friend when you need to groom a putting surface for competitions or special events during the heat of midsummer.

It's strange how some basic turf maintenance practices seem to fall in and out of favor through the years.  Rolling, brushing and grooming come to mind.  During the early 90's, groomers were the rage and it was hard to find a roller or brush attachment on a mower being used at any golf course.  Now, everyone rolls, brushing is gaining momentum, while grooming is so "last decade."

It's too bad that the use of cocoa mats falls into the category of trendy maintenance practices.  When I inquire about cocoa mats at Turf Advisory Service visits the typical responses are: never tried them, too expensive or too old school.   Yet, they remain a highly useful, versatile and underutilized option for grooming a putting surface during stressful conditions.

Read the rest of this update. 

Northeast Region

And You Thought 2010 Was A Tough Year 

by David A. Oatis, director 

Diagnostic laboratories have been overrun with disease samples, and outbreaks of summer patch and anthracnose both have been very common.  'Abiotic stress' has been a common diagnosis, and in plenty of cases, annual bluegrass has just run out of gas.  As is usually the case this time of year, annual bluegrass is the species that is failing most often.  This is a good year to have more bentgrass!

Depending on your location, your golf course may have experienced winter injury, torrential spring rains, a few weeks of mild weather, and then record-breaking July heat interspersed with a few more heavy rain events. Even August hasn't been easy.  And let's not forget the two to three generations of annual bluegrass weevils that have chewed their way through annual bluegrass populations and a little bentgrass at many courses this year.  Not surprisingly, plenty of golf courses have experienced problems as a result of the extreme weather conditions.

Read the rest of this update. 

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