It's seedhead time...

Casey Sheehan
Assistant GC Superintendent

As we get into another golfing season, a common question that we often hear early in the season is “why are the greens so bumpy in the spring?” This bumpiness is due to the high population of poa annua or annual bluegrass in the putting greens.  Since the annual bluegrass is an annual plant it produces seeds in the spring, even at the low mowing heights of a putting green.  As a result, these seedheads produce a bumpy and untrue putting surface.



Poa annua seedheads



In an effort to minimize the number of seedheads that the poa annua population produces, two spray applications are made in early spring.  These applications are a combination of two plant growth regulators (PGR), which over the last few years have shown to be somewhat successful in controlling the emergence of seedheads.

Since every annual bluegrass plant will not produce seeds at the exact same time the goal of these applications is to try and reduce the number of seedheads that emerge.  Therefore, when to make these applications is the most important and most difficult factor to determine in achieving a sufficient amount of control in seedhead production. 

Here at Huntsville Golf Club we base the timing of these applications on two points.  One is the visual observation of annual bluegrass seedheads in fairways and rough.  Since the grasses in these areas are mowed at a higher mowing height the seedheads emerge sooner.  The second basis for the timing of these applications is on a growing degree day model.  The model uses a mathematical equation to determine the optimal application time using a day’s average temperature and dividing that by 32.  For example if a day’s high and low are 57˚F and 33˚F, the
average is 45˚F divide that by 32 and we get a growing degree day of 1.4.  There can be no negative numbers in the model so if a day is calculated to have, for example, -1.4 the day is given a 0 for a growing degree day.  We usually start counting growing degree days in early march and we will get a growing degree day every day until we start approaching 300 growing degree days.  The latest research out of universities is to have the first application on the greens as close to 300 growing degree days as possible.  We then follow up the first application with a second, two weeks later to try and control any stragglers. 

"...seedheads produce a bumpy and untrue putting surface."

Obviously both of these techniques will not guarantee 100% control, but as it was stated before, the goal of these applications is to minimize the effects of seedheads to ball roll.  The good news is that the flush of seedheads that the annual bluegrass population produces is only temporary. As we move into the summer months the seedhead production will greatly decrease and the greens should become smoother and true.

Article written by Casey Sheehan, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Annual Bluegrass Weevil...

Annual Bluegrass Weevil

A growing insect problem on golf courses in northeast Pennsylvania is the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW).  Long a problem on golf courses to our north in states like Connecticut and Massachusetts, this tiny insect is now making it's way south and can now be found as far south as Maryland.




Annual Bluegrass Weevil

 The annual bluegrass weevil is unique in that it feeds almost exclusively on poa annua.  When we first saw this pest on our course, our first thought was to allow this insect to feed on the poa.  After all we were trying to get rid of the poa annua why not let this insect help us out.  As we found out however although the ABW prefers poa when the poa runs out it will feed on the bentgrass.  By the time we realized this several of our collars had been completely wiped out.





ABW damage

Since that time we have learned it is wise to treat for this pest.  To control this insect it is first important to understand its life cycle.  The annual bluegrass weevil overwinters as an adult in long grass or leaf litter along the margins of the golf course.  In the spring the adults migrate from their overwintering locations to low cut grass areas such as greens, tees and fairways.  Once there the adults lay their eggs on the leaf blades.  Then the eggs hatch, the larva burrow into the grass stems and feed from the inside out.  Damage first appears as wilt stress. When you water the grass and it does not recover, you know to look for this insect.  Because it is difficult to treat for this insect while it is feeding inside the grass stems, the best control strategy is to target the adults before they lay their eggs.  The success of this strategy is to time the insecticide application during the peak migration of the adults.  One way to do this is to use a growing degree model.  Growing degree models take the average of day time high and low and then subtract it from a base temperature of 50.  You keep a running total and when the number of growing degree days reach a certain number you treat for the adults.  This method has been very successful. 


Forsythia

Another method is to watch for when certain plants flower in the spring. This is called phenological indicators.  For annual bluegrass weevils the phenological indicator is when the forsythia is half yellow from the flowers and half green from the leaves.  We have also had good results with this method.


ABW can be a very destructive insect and requires careful monitoring to avoid turf loss.

Updates.....

The deep tining of the fairways is now complete.  The contractors worked all day Monday and Tuesday to complete the process.  Here is a picture of the deeptine aerifier in action on #9 fairway.

I had been somewhat concerned that rocks would be pulled to the surface by the aerifiers but fortunately we had very little of this.  Some rocks were brought up but they were quickly removed and the holes backfilled with soil.



As I mentioned before one of the benefits of these machines is the depth to which they can go.  On average the tines were penetrating about 8 inches deep.

The holes on the surface will quickly grow over and become unnoticeable. The holes in the soil however, will remain open for quite some time, creating healthier turf and better playing conditions.  Here is the 2nd fairway the day after it was aerified.

While the fairways were being aerified we also aerified the front nine tees and the range tees.  Next Monday we will be aerifing the remaining tees.

We also have been using this time to complete some cart path work.  The final touches have been put on #7 cart path and it is now open for use.  I have received many positive comments on this addition as it is an easier walk onto the tees. 

You will also notice that we added a cart path extension on #1.  The area where you leave #1 fairway to transition onto the cart path had become rutted from cart traffic.  We added this stone path to help get carts through this wet area.



Also work has resumed on the front entrance of the clubhouse.  The masons are now laying the concrete pavers and should be done in a few days.



Deep tine aerification...



Deep tine aerification

On Monday, April 22nd a contractor will be arriving to perform a new type of aerification to our fairways called deep tining. Deep tining uses a special type of aerifier that is different than the aerifier that we have used in the past.  Traditionally we use an aerifier that pulls a 2” deep core of soil from the fairways.  Although this is a beneficial process,  after years of aerifing at the same depth, a hardpan has formed in the soil beneath this 2” depth.  This compacted layer leads to reduced water infiltration.  The effects of this compacted layer is most evident after a rain event when puddles form in our fairways and remain wet for several days. 

Deep tine aerification has the ability to penetrate up to 8 inches deep in the soil profile depending on the soil type.  Then after penetrating the soil, the aerification tine rocks forward creating a heaving action.  This heaving action further cracks the hardpan and alleviates compaction.  The channels that are formed by this process allow for surface water to drain off the fairway creating a firmer and drier playing surface.

Here is an image explaining some of the benefits of deep tining;

In addition to the improved drainage, deep tining will also promote deeper rooting.  Deeper roots equate to healthier turf, which in turn can better combat drought, heavy traffic and attacks from turf diseases and insects.

"...cracks the hardpan and alleviates compaction."



Surface after deep tining

 

From a playability standpoint the best part of deep tine aerification is that it doesn't leave behind a muddy mess like the core aerification.  That is because instead of bringing up a core of soil to the surface, the deep tine machine uses a solid tine that simply pokes a hole in the fairway.  The fairways should be ready for play as soon as the process is complete. 

Deep tine aerifiers operate slowly so the contractor will use several machines to complete the process as quickly as possible.  The fairway deep tining should be completed by Tuesday.  We appreciate your patience as we complete this important procedure. 

New Cart Path

The unseasonable cold weather has prevented the masons from starting to work on the clubhouse turnaround as we had hoped.  In the mean time we have begun construction on a new cart path on #7.

Coming on the heels of a very popular cart path installation last year at the 5th tee, it was decided that a cart path accessing the forward tee on #7 would be a great addition. 

The new cart path will start near the 6th green and pass behind the rain shelter on it's way towards the forward tee.  It will then continue on through the woods and exit near the top of the hill.  The path will also be routed so that it passes close to the other teeing areas giving additional access to the tees from the left side.

The excavation has been going smoothly and we have made good progress.  We should be able to complete digging out the cart path this week and then next week start backfilling with crushed stone.

Clubhouse Construction

We recently have begun removing the Pennsylvania bluestone turnaround from in front of the clubhouse. 

Although beautiful, the bluestone is a layered natural stone which flakes apart easily with the freeze thaw action of our cold winters.  Deep holes had developed in the turnaround, creating an unsafe condition for people entering the clubhouse.  Rather than making expensive repairs to the bluestone, it was decided that a better long term solution would be to replace it with more durable concrete pavers.  The finished product will look very similar to what is currently there.  We are even reusing the round Huntsville logo in the center of the turnaround. 

Once the bluestone has been removed, the contractors will prepare the sub base and then lay the pavers.  The whole process should take about 7 to 10 days to complete.  Please be careful entering and exiting the clubhouse while this construction project is going on.

Happy Valentines Day


We had about an inch of snow last night.  Here are some photos I took of the golf course this morning.

Front Entrance



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