Water Management

Looking down #12 Fairway

 With daily high temperatures averaging at or near 100 degrees for the last few weeks and well into the foreseeable future, water management is our most critical task on the golf course.  Mornings are spent checking greens with moisture sensors, watering to our "number" for the day.  Afternoons are all about keeping greens cool, without getting too wet.  It's all a balancing act that at times is more of an art than a science.

Over the last few years, we have made an effort to maintain the driest conditions possible, without sacrificing plant health.  With our situation, we are not only looking at the playability of the course we are also constantly aware of the expense involved with watering a golf course with 100% potable water.  As you can see in the picture above, aside from a few rains that have led to a temporary green up, the course has maintained a tinge of brown throughout the golf season.  The days of lush and green are not only impractical, due to the required inputs, but also detrimental to the type of playing surface we desire.

Cooling Greens in the Afternoon.

With 62 year old push up greens, walking the fine line of keeping conditions firm and dry is even more of a challenge.  We are finding that even with the best intentions, each day brings new challenges.  Days when its hot and humid, we struggle to avoid getting them too wet.  Add a strong wind into the mix, and its a fight to keep enough moisture in the greens.

Heading into the last month and a half of  the summer, you may notice green speed slow down a touch from our normal range.  Although we are working to maintain good speed, there comes a point where the health of the plant is more critical than greens rolling 11.5.  As roots shrink with the heat, it is inevitable that we will lose some speed and firmness.

The good news is with each passing day, the days are slowly getting shorter.   Cool mornings will be here before we know it!