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March 8th, 2010
We have been
outside on a regular basis. With the warmer weather I began removing snow and ice on greens. The idea is to help push the
melting process along. The less freeze/ thaw cycles we go through the better. We have also been working on brush clearing
behind the 17th green. This will offer a very cool view back up through the clubhouse side of the river. The pictures below
illustrate what we are seeing.
February 23, 2010
Its probably
a good to time to start updating this page again as we inch closer to the start of a new season at Wahconah. Our main focus
this winter was the tree work we conducted along the right side of the 5th hole. With the removal of the rows of pines we
opened up a spectacular angle of play into this green. We still have a good amount of clean up to do this spring in this area,
but when complete it really is going to add greatly to this wonderful golf hole. We have also begun some brush work around
the grove of trees to the left of the 10th green or directly behind the 17th green. This work is about the same as the work
we have done around the 7th tee and 13th tee areas< where we remove the underbrush and expose the more mature stand of
trees.
Greens
Its been a strange winter with very little in the way of snowfall.
We have had a pretty large amount of ice accumulation in some areas of the course, while other areas have had no ice or snow
coverage. Yesterday we removed snow on the 10th, 13th and 16th greens. These were three of the greens that gave us problems
last spring. Once the snow was removed the black enkamat was exposed and that combined with the stronger sun melted a good
portion of the ice layer. This week it looks like things will get covered back up again, but for the most part the turf I
have seen looks ok. We are now entering the most critical time of the year, where we enter days and nights of repeated freeze-thaw
cycles. The best case scenario is a very quick melt down and a quick spring.
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| 5th hole right side with trees removed |
November 4th, 2009
We
are heading into the portion of our year where we are preparing the course for the winter. Leaf cleanup is almost complete,
though we are a little behind due to our tractor mounted blower throwing a pin and bearing and the availability of parts
being a minor issue. The drinking water and irrigation systems need to be winterized. The proper plant protectants and
dormant fertilizers need to be applied. We use our brush hog to trim back tall grass and overgrown brush areas. We have some
bunker sand we would like to get out to a few of the more needy bunkers. We have purposely let some of our closely maintained
turf areas grow out longer this fall. This allows for some deeper rooting and hopefully a better chance for winter survival.
Greens Closing: We plan to keep a watchful eye on closing the greens this year. Typically we
have begun covering our greens after the 15th of November. This is really a weather related call. We usually let the remainder
of our seasonal staff go at Thanksgiving so we like to have our winter prep done by this time. If the week of the 16th
is nice, then you can probably plan for a few more days of golf.
Covers: We will be using
impermeable ice sheilds on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 15th greens this year. The 2nd and 6th will be new additions. The other
greens have used these covers with sucess for a number of years. The black enkamat will be used on the 3rd, 5th, 9th,
10th, 13th, 14th and 16th greens. Hopefully all the steps we take this fall will help the turf survive the ice and freeze
thaw cycles of our winters. Below is a USGA update on covers.
2009 Northeast News Update
By
Jim Skorulski, senior agronomist, Northeast Region Green Section
October 9, 2009 The
cooler temperatures and forecasts for snow showers quickly bring the reality of winter preparations to mind. One of those
preparations for many northern golf courses involves covering greens to protect the annual bluegrass from crown hydration
and cold temperature injury. The cover systems usually consist of an impermeable cover placed over the green complex either
with or without insulation. The concept behind the use of covers is to try to prevent plant hydration during winter and early
spring, and to maintain a fairly constant temperature at or just below freezing. In a perfect world, the covers are placed
over the greens in late fall after the final topdressing and fungicide applications are complete and the ground is partially
or near frozen. We then keep our fingers crossed for a layer of snow and some seasonably cold temperatures through winter. The
need to add insulation under the covers is a question we often receive. The insulation may be in the form of a foam material
or rigid plastic mesh that provides some air space to buffer the more severe temperature swings. Straw and bubble tarps are
used for insulation on more northern golf courses where temperatures can drop well below freezing. A heavy insulation layer
is probably not necessary if you are in an area where a deep snow pack is dependable or winter temperatures are more moderate.
A thin insulating material that creates an air space will be helpful where snow cover is less dependable and low temperatures
are not so severe. The thicker layers of insulation are a good idea in areas where permanent snow cover is questionable and
below zero temperatures are likely. The color of a cover also impacts the temperatures at the surface of the greens.
White-colored covers have grown in popularity in areas where the greens are likely to be exposed. They reflect the sun and
help to keep temperatures below the covers more stable. This is less of a concern further north where the snow is more dependable
and a heavier insulation layer is in place. The use of covers does not always guarantee success! Water can still find
its way under the covers and hydrate plants leaving them vulnerable to injury. Under the right conditions, turf can
suffocate under impermeable cover systems. This usually occurs on more poorly drained greens, but also is a concern when heavy
layers of snow and ice lie for extended periods above covers on unfrozen ground. Covering systems need to be monitored
and managed from the point of installation until they are removed in spring. That includes monitoring temperatures below the
covers, checking for anoxic conditions (lack of oxygen), and having the ability to remove the impermeable cover and or vent
greens when necessary. Only cover the amount of area that you can manage! Winter staffing needs to be available to do that
effectively. Cover systems for greens have evolved and do work to protect annual bluegrass and bentgrass from our ever
challenging winter weather. The protection systems are not an exact science and have to be tailored for specific site conditions.
When used properly, they provide a management tool that can make the difference between winter success or failure. Feel free
to contact your Green Section office if you have any questions or concerns regarding the selection, installation, and management
of winter covers.
Contact Dave Oatis, Director doatis@usga.org ; Adam Moeller, Agronomist amoeller@usga.org ; or Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist jskorulski@usga.org for a Turf Advisory Service visit this season.
October 1st, 2009
Where did the
season go? After a rotten summer, I thought the month of September was spectacular and dry. Hopefully we pick up some nice
bonus weather in October to help extend the golfing season. The greens have recovered nicely from the aerification. We will
try and get another seeding into them soon. This is also the month that we try and let them grow out a little as we prepare
them for winter. The board approved the purchase of some more ice shields, which I intend to put on the 2nd and 6th greens.
This will give me some enkamat to use on the 13th and 16th greens. While non of this is full proof, I always feel we are trying
as much as possible to help keep our greens healthy through the winter.
One other big complaint recently has been
the bunker sand. I will be trying to fit a load of sand in here this fall under this years budget. And we can use this to
add to some of the thinner bunkers. If I need to order more next year I will. If you know of any really thin lies in the bunkers
please let me know so we can address this for you.
We have also started aerifying fairways. Our goals are to go
as far with this as weather allows us. Hopefully we get at least a full nine done if not even more. The third ladies tee has
been sodded and is starting to root. Once rooted we will smooth the surface with topdress and then decide if we will be able
to open it this fall or early next season. I think we should be able to address some of the other smaller tees as well
in the next few seasons. At this point it would be the 5th, 12th and 14th.
September 17th, 2009
Well
I guess I haven't been as diligent this year writing updates on the golf course. But what more can I say than it rained
all the time. We made it through the summer and the torrential rains relatively unscathed. We have a few pockets in some fairways
were the turf couldnt handle being submerged under water. The 8th and 10th holes come to mind. At the end of August we did
aerify, topdress and overseed these areas. New seedlings have emerged and we hope to have as much coverage going into winter
as possible. The total damage is probably a 1,000 sq/ft at most. We aerified tees in late August and we just completed
greens aerification about a week ago. The greens will need another week or so before they start to putt closer to normal. The
aerification went very well and they are healing right on schedule.
We have also begun to enlarge the
3rd red/gold tee. We have easily more than doubled the size of this tee and we should be sodding it next week. We
will also begin to start some fairway aerification, hopefully completing as many holes as possible before the weather doesn't
allow us to do anymore.
Dollar spot has been a pretty big disease this year. We have done a pretty good job in
fairways working with a limited budget keeping it in check. Our final spray was a few weeks ago, but we just put out our final
feritlity spread and hope that this will help carry us through the rest of the season. Tees have also gotten hit with dollar
spot fairly hard, but I cant continue to treat with fungicides so I am trying to combat it with some nitrogen. In any event
it has been a challenging year with all the rain, from mowing, to spraying to managing the people and trying to limit mechanical
damage.
On the green committee level we have been discussing issues surrounding drainage. We are looking at options
for the 10th hole to replace the lost willow. We are also talking about some selective tree management strategies throughout
the golf course. Obviously everything we discuss does involve some financial commitments. We are very aware of these impacts
and while we have several ideas, sometimes the reality of our situation dictates what we can and can't accomplish. Having
said all that I do think we have had a very productive year on the course and I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy themselves
this summer. If you have any questions drop me a line.
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| Willow #10 |
July 3rd, 2009
Hopefully with
a new month comes a change in the weather pattern. The persistant rain of the last three weeks has just caused a mess on the
golf course. We have done the best we can to keep up with the mowing when and where we can. Consistent growth has started
to occur and that has led to the greens filling in nicely. The fairways look better as well. Hopefully with some drier weather
we can get the golf course to play as we hope. Firmer and quicker.
June 19, 2009
This was a very difficult week on the golf course. The persistent
rain of the last 10 days has made managing the golf course a challenge. With about 6.5" recieved. Just trying to
get things mowed is a huge challenge. One thing you may have noticed is I have been a little more lax in letting carts
out on the course after large rain events. Certainly a number of factors go into this decision, but lately the overriding
factor for me is the revenue and is the revenue recieved from carts more significant than possible damage? During a weekend
like the fourball or during a busy leaugue night the answer is probably yes.
The greens are starting to round
into decent shape. I think that the majority of the greens where we had minor damage have healed pretty well, I'm thinking
of greens like 1, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 17. Greens like 2, 10, 13 and 16 are doing well, but not perfect. Repeated seeding,
topdressing, grooming and a little extra fertility are the things we continue to do. Its been a poor growing spring here in
the Berkshires and that has slowed recovery considerably.
We have started edging and trimming bunkers. We do this
a few times over the course of a summer and it really makes the course look good, while providing the neccessary definition
of the hazard. We have also during dry periods begun spraying weeds. Clover seems to be the big weed
for us in our rough this year and we hope to get our rough cleaned up pretty good. We have sprayed about 10 acres of rough
so far this year, with plenty more to go.
June 5, 2009
We had a very good
agronomic week here at the golf course. The greens continue to improve on a daily basis. The greens that were partially damaged
have filled in very nicely while the more heavily damaged greens have significant coverage and are not too far behind. All
that seed and fertilizer we pumped into them throughout May is finally starting to grab hold. We did a light verticut and
sand topdressing on Tuesday that has improved the ball roll significantly. This is the most important activity that we can
do now to help fill in the remaining voids, smooth the greens and also firm up the greens. As the greens heal we are also
lowering height of cut closer to our target height for the summer.
Also this week we sliced more seed into any
thin fairway areas and followed that up with the first fertilization of the season. We were also able to complete the aerification
of our tee boxes, which included an overseeding. All in all a good week and the golf course is starting to take shape. I appreciate
everyones patience throughout the spring as it will certainly pay off in a more enjoyable golf course this summer.
May 27th, 2009
I guess
its been awhile since I have updated. The best news is that we have opened all the greens for play. Of course some are still
thin in areas and I hope as you play you can tread lightly in these thin areas. Our focus now is to work the height of the
damaged greens back in line with the other greens. Once we accomplish this we will be trying to begin gaining a quicker and
smoother putting surface as we continue to fill in the voids. It has been a somewhat slow spring with growth, but I am happy
with the coverage we have obtained and feel pretty good about getting the greens to fill in the rest of the way. Spiking,
topdressing, higher rates of liquid fertility and hand seeding will be a common occurance the next few weeks. This will all
be in an effort to provide the better putting surface you expect.
One thing we have had very good success with
over the years to combat ice damge is the impermeable covers we have used on the 4th, 7th, and 15th greens. These three greens
are all heavily shaded, have high populations of poa and were, even in the easiest of winters, a problem. I
feel comfortable using these covers in these locations because there is very little temperature flucuation during the winter. We
have discussed at the green comittee level about expanding the use of these covers. Two locations that fit my criteria
for use are the 2nd and 6th greens. These two greens accumulate ice, have high poa populations and are fairly well shaded
in the winter. I think the impermeable covers would be succesful in these spots. The 13th and 16th greens then could be fully
covered with enkamat. With so much science behind turf grass managment these days, preventing winter damage to turf is
one problem that still hasn't been completely solved.
May 8th, 2009
With the
moisture and the warmer night time temperatures this week, the golf course is starting to grow at a more consistent rate.
We aerified greens on Monday, racing against the threat of rain to get the greens plugged and cleaned up in one day. The downside
to this is that we didn't have enough time or manpower to get the topdressing out. Most likely we will do this very early
next week. All the greens are starting to really improve. You can see the damaged areas shrinking on a daily bases. Once we
get the greens filled in we will then begin to lower our height of cut to promote a better putting surface. The covered greens
are also making significant progress. We hope to begin getting these greens ready for play very shortly. We just need to make
sure that the young plants are mature enough to handle the traffic. We would hate to lose all the progress we have made on
them.
We will probably be aerifying tees next week. We will also continue to seed any damaged areas in the fairways.
We have done some spiking of these areas with seed, but we may need to also slice in some seed as well.
Overall
the course is improving on a daily basis. Progress should come on a much quicker rate as the weather continues to improve.
Our goals are to have as fine a golf course as possible for the start of our tournament season. Thank for your patience this
spring as the golf course recovers.
April 24, 2009
Just a quick
update before the weekend. Things are starting to progress out on the course now. Even during a poor growing week (cold and
frosty) we were able to get some germination in many of the damaged areas. Everything has been fertilized and we have the
irrigation system fully charged. With some heat this weekend I expect that we will really start to make some progress. I have
noticed improvement in all the greens in the last few days and this should continue on a steady basis until we have everything
open for play.
We have all the course supplies out and we have gone through all the bunkers. The course has been mowed
a few times so things are starting to shape up. We appreciate everyone's patience this spring while we deal with the damage
left over from the winter.
April 16, 2009
Here is the latest update from the USGA regarding winter damage and recovery.
Winter Damage: Location, Location, Location… 
By Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist Northeast Region Green Section
April 15, 2009 Just another New England spring: Twenty degrees above normal one day, and twenty degrees below normal the
next. The widely fluctuating temperatures create many challenges for superintendents who are attempting to nurse back annual
bluegrass from a long, cold winter. Timing of applications for annual bluegrass seed heads and annual bluegrass weevil also
is made tougher with the temperature swings. The Web site http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/grass/degreedays/dd_weekly.html provides growing degree day information for the Northeast, and many Mid-Atlantic states to help with those management decisions. Winter
Damage Reports have been coming in regarding annual bluegrass winter damage. Cold temperature and crown hydration
injury has left its mark across many golf courses in the Berkshire Region, eastern New York, and more northern portions of
New England and Canada. Reports indicate that the damage was not selective as both bentgrass and annual bluegrass have winter
injury. A "perfect storm" event in December may have been responsible for the severe damage; heavy rain turned
snow into slush, which quickly turned to ice as temperatures rapidly fell far below freezing. In the past, severe weather
events like this also have damaged the more tolerant bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The ice at many golf courses remained
in place under a good snow pack well into March. The encased plants were then subjected to anoxic conditions (low oxygen).
Sporadic winter injury has occurred elsewhere as well with more isolated reports of late winter and spring desiccation.
Fortunately, at least some of the injury in the southern portions of the region appears to be more superficial as annual bluegrass
is responding favorably to what little warm weather we have received. Recovery Prognosis Recovery for
severely damaged golf courses will be a long and painful process that is dependent on the spring weather and a superintendent’s
ability to warm soil temperatures. Clear permeable covers can elevate soil temperatures on sunny days and help prevent heat
loss at night. Working with covers is never easy, especially if damage is wide spread. The covers will have to be manipulated
during warm, sunny days later in the spring to avoid over heating the seedling plants. They also will need to be replaced
at night when freezing temperatures are predicted. Also, topdressing with black sand can elevate soil temperatures to speed
seed germination and recovery. Those who are working with damage exceeding fifty percent of the green’s surface
or where primary cupping areas are injured should utilize temporary greens if a full recovery is to be expected to occur by
early to mid-summer. Not closing the greens is perhaps the biggest mistake we see and a primary reason for a failed recovery
and very disgruntled golfers later in the season. The stigma with temporary greens is very real, but not nearly as bad as
that associated with poor putting surfaces in July! Severe winter injury is never easy to deal with, and superintendents
and staff will be working very long and hard hours to recover the damaged areas and nurse the juvenile turf through the summer.
The need for patience through the recovery process can not be emphasized enough! Golfers will hopefully understand that, in
most cases, there is no immediate action that can be taken to prevent winter damage when the perfect weather conditions happen
to occur. Once again, this winter season proved that it’s all about location when it comes to winter storms and
cold temperature injury. Let us know how your golf course fared this winter and give us a call if we can help formulate a
recovery strategy, develop a winter protection strategy, and provide additional support to work with the golfers.
April 15, 2009
We are
about a week into our season and things are starting to progress on the course. The earlier start is a good sign. Some of
the weaker areas on the greens are starting to show signs of life and positive recovery. We will be doing all we can to ensure
that this continues. This week we started seeding the damaged areas using our proseeder, and also slice seeding . The only
negative so far has been the constant morning frost, this really slows down growth. As we remove the covers and mow these
greens for the first time I hope to give some time table on when they will be ready for play.
Our biggest task
so far is getting the bunkers in play. They have been heavily washed out from the winter and we are taking our time in
getting them ready. Our small crew can usually get about 5 bunkers done correctly in a day. Yesterday we took a time out from
this and put the first mowing on the course. Fairways, approaches, collars and tees were all mowed for the first time. This
really helps clean things up, defines the edges and makes it look like a golf course.
Today we are beginning to
get our irrigation system charged. We start by renting a compressor to help blow out our irrigation pit. This takes us all
day before we feel comfortable setting our intake up to begin charging the system. So over the next few days there may be
some irrigation heads running and if you see any leaks please let us know. With seed in the ground, water is an important
part of our recovery.
One quick observation is that this year I'm trying to work with a smaller staff.
Last year at this time we were working with about 350 man hours. This year we are at 250 man hours. So we opened earlier and
we are working with 100 less man hours per week. This means it may take us a little longer to get all of our spring duties
done, so please be patient.
April 10, 2009
With the golf
course open we are starting in on the bunkers today. This may take us several days of work to get through them all. Essentially
the sand is all over the place and we need to make sure that we distribute it properly in each bunker before we rake them.
We mowed greens yesterday and will probably mow them again early next week. As you play you will notice several weak areas
in our greens. Most of these spots are the result of the constant freeze/ thaw cycle that occured in March. I put the pins
in these greens with the expectation that we can improve these greens even while they handle play. I am pretty confident that
there is enough plant material in these greens that will fill in once we begin to grow. Greens 2, 10, 13 and 16 have
slightly more damage, with 2 and 10 the worst. These will require a little more tlc in order to get them ready for the season.
We will also be working to get course supplies out, get the drinking water on, fixing cart paths, continue cleanup,
charge the irrigation system and also mow the course over the next few weeks.
Please drive carts
with care as there are still several wet areas and even a little snow on the 4th tee and not all the cart paths are in good
condition yet. Please try and avoid the injured areas on greens as much as possible. There may be some pretty interesting
hole locations out there, until the greens are stronger. Don't forget to check in from time to time on course updates
and I look forward to seeing you out there.
April 3rd, 2009
Brief
update before the weekend. I had a walk thru of the golf course with one of my two greens chairpersons this week. We do this
in order for everybody to have some input regarding the correct time to open the course. The front nine is very close to being
ready. A few of the greens are a bit soggy and with the rain on Wednesday and Friday we made the determination to hold off
until later next week. The back nine in general is very wet. The 12th, 13th, 14th,16th and 18th holes are very soft.
Hopefully things will dry out and set up next week and we can be playing golf the week of the Masters.
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|
| 15th Hole, still a little snow left. |
April 1, 2009
Things
are progressing slowly out on the golf course. We still have snow and ice remaining on the 4th tee, the right side of 4, the
5th tee, the right of 12 and also the whole left side of 15. Some greens are starting to set up and green up while others
are still wet and spongy. Some are even still frozen. So these leads to the question When are we going to open? I am having
a walk thru this morning with my Green Chairpersons and we will most likely make a determination on a projected opening.
Sorry about no pictures my camera bit the dust. I will try and get a new one.
March 27th, 2009
Here is another
update before the weekend. We are still hanging onto snow around the 4th, 12th and especially the 15th holes. I am hoping
with some warm temperatures today and rain over the weekend we can start in on Monday with a snow and frost free golf course.
I'll try and remember to take my camera with me today and post some photos later. We have spent the week burning wood
and brush, cleaning up any large debris, removing covers, and salvaging what cart path material we can from the flooding.
Today I plan to remove the ice shields from the the 4th and 7th greens at least. With temps on the rise I don't want things
to heat up too quickly under these nonpermeable covers, I also need to get some granular snowmold control down on these greens
as the covers certainly elevate disease pressure.
My plan for next week is to begin a more detailed and full scale
cleanup of the course. I will have more people in to help with this. We will see what the weather brings and if we can then
make a determination of an opening date. Right now we need the ground to firm up (frost free), the greens to show some signs
of life (i.e. green up) and maybe mow them or roll them a couple times before we allow play.
March 23, 2009
We are
about 80 - 90% melted down, with only the 4th, 12th and 15th holes having a lot of snow and ice left. Even though we
are getting an early meltdown, this winter was very long and difficult. We are working outside now, burning brush and
picking up and removing any down trees and limbs. If the weather holds and we can stay outside we will probably be in
full scale cleanup mode by next week and then trying to pin down an opening date. The ground today is really frozen
and the frost heaves in some of the greens and fairways are very impressive, so we have a ways to go. We also have several
washed out bunkers and washed out paths along the rivers and streams to add to our list of springtime chores, due to the flooding
in december. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we don't get hit with anymore unexpected snows or heavy rains.
March Roars In!
By David A. Oatis, Director
March 17, 2009
Plenty of snow, extended
and periodic ice cover, and plenty of cold temperatures characterize the winter weather that has been experienced in many
areas of the Northeast Region. It was certainly good for skiers, but the weather has caused some turf injury on golf courses.
Several courses in the New York metropolitan area now are reporting localized cases of suffocation and crown hydration injury,
and while the damage does not yet appear to be extensive, it will necessitate some courses keeping greens closed for a while
this spring. Damage is likely to be more extensive in northern parts of the region where an ice layer has been in place since
early winter. Reports of damage also are coming in from southern Canada. If you have any doubt as to whether your turf sustained
injury, be sure to bring cores in and incubate them so you can gauge the extent of the damage. Listed below are links
to articles on promoting rapid recovery from winter injury. However, the first step in fostering a rapid recovery is to keep
the affected greens closed for a few weeks in the spring. Impatient golfers often are reluctant to close greens, but failure
to do so retards the recovery process. It also guarantees a weaker recovery as more annual bluegrass will be reestablished
rather than the more desirable creeping bentgrass. A little patience now will pay big dividends later in the season.
March 17th, 2009
The snow
and ice are melting fast, however it is refreezing at night. This constant freeze/ thaw we are going through is not always
good for the turf. I'll keep you posted as we continue to melt about the condition of the course. I am also posting a
picture of some work we are doing outside near the 13th tee.
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| Brush Work right of 13th Tee |
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| The 15th Hole March 16th |
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| The 4th Hole March 16th |
March 9th, 2009
Looks like its
time for me to come out of hibernation and update on a more regular basis. This past weekend saw us loose a majority of our
snow only to reveal a pretty significant ice layer. The only greens that are clear are the 3rd and 9th, though both were very
wet and had standing water on top. We took a sample out of the 9th green 10 days ago and it grew out well, so that is a positive
sign. I did take out samples from the 13th and 16th greens today and we will see how they respond. There is just a hint of
aneorbic conditions starting to develop, not overpowering, but it is there. It has been a long tough winter and this past
weekends big warmup didn't do us any favors. There is plenty of water out there now that will refreeze, which can lead
to problems further down the road. I'll keep posting pics as spring gets closer.
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| Back of the 16th Green 3-9-09 |
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| Back of the 3rd Green 3-9-09 |
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