It has been an abnormally cold start to the New Year so far.  Once we feel the weather will change, another round of frost delays works its way into the valley and tee times get pushed back.  Hopefully cold nights are behind us and the grass can start growing on a more predictable pattern.

This fluctuation in temperature was also hard on the fish in the lake next to the clubhouse.  Anyone who played the Peaks in mid to late January would have noticed many dead fish along the edge of the lake by 18 green.   During the summer, these Tilapia can be seen feeding on algae in large schools, but they are really noticed during a winter die-off event.

Tilapia provides an invaluable source of algae control for most of the year, without the use of harsh chemicals.  In most cases, they do not die-off each winter.  While some years there are few dead Tilapia, other years it can be a "bumper crop."  Why is the die-off so bad in years, like now?  Seasonally, it is the rate of temperature change.  When we experience an unusually long warm fall season, then winter temperatures hit suddenly, it causes the water temperature to drop below 55 F very quickly.  Tilapia can tolerate a gradual change and survive, but do not fare well with such a drastic change in temperature.

The death and decomposition cycle of the Tilapia is very important to lake management decisions.  First, they die and sink to the bottom, where they start to decompose.  The swim bladder then fills with gasses around 2 - 4 weeks, and the half rotten fish will rise to the water's surface.  This is when they should be removed, as the smell is horrible.  In conversations with the company we contract to manage the lakes, they recommend stocking Catfish as they consume dead and dying Tilapia. 

As I have expressed in prior articles, we ask that all carts utilize the 90 degree rule.  Carts should leave the path at a 90 degree angle to their ball.  Then proceed to hit the ball and maybe your partner's ball, then get back on the path.   I have noticed carts getting on the turf right past the tee box then getting back on the path near the green.  We are trying to also avoid carts driving down the roughs, as the Bermuda is not growing right now due to the cold temperatures.  Less turf damage will result by limiting the amount of traffic on the fairways and roughs from using the 90 degree rule.

Warm days and low scores ahead.