Bermuda Control

Bermuda Control on #1 Approach

 

Bermuda Control on #4 Rough

This past week we started applications for controlling the Bermuda in the Zoysia.  Typically we would have started this application earlier, unfortunately, with the excessive heat we had these summer we were forced to delay this practice.

As you can see from the pictures above, the initial control seems to be as good as we have had.  Overall, the fairways are mostly clean, the new Zoysia Intermediate Rough is where we are concerned with the encroachment.  If you've been on the course lately it is even more noticable in person.  With two more applications scheduled for the remainder of the year, we hope to knock the Bermuda back.

Several years ago, we were spraying larger portions of the rough.  What we found was the product was simlply too hard on the desirable cool season grasses.  Spraying this every year on the rough was not only expensive, but also left our primary rough in bad shape for the majority of the golf season.  We have since reached the conclusion that if a change were to take place in the rough, the best option would be to spray Roundup in one season for a complete kill of the rough. 

With the summers we have experienced lately along with the increasing water rates, for the long term, we are leaning towards converting our primary rough (in full sun) to Zoysia.  Although, this is certainly a long term project with no action planned for the near future.

Goose Control

Floating Light on #8/11 pond.

A couple of weeks ago, we installed a solar powered flashing light on the pond between #8 and #11 green.  Intial results were somewhat questionable.  However, after two full weeks, we have definitely seen an improvement in the amount of geese hanging around this area overnight.

The light turns on automatically as the sun goes down, while recharging itself during the day.  The flashing light disrupts the geese's ability to sleep forcing them to move on to a different location.  Initially they moved to another area on the course.  Since that time they have left the course altogether.

As bad as the geese have been this year, we were willing to try anything.  This product has had mixed reviews at different locations, so far we are pleased with the results.

Crazy Weather

In spite of only a 20% chance of rain, Wednesday night brought us 2" of rain and 70 mph winds.  Although the rain was much needed, the rate at which it fell and the accompanying wind created quite a mess on the golf course Thursday morning.




Tree Branch down right side #14

  

Debris on #18 fairway

The pictures above show what was pretty typical throughout the course.  Luckily, we only lost 5 trees, although damage to the trees can be seen throughout the property.  The good news is that we desperately needed moisture, not only for the turf and trees, but our creeks and ponds were also in need of a good rain.

Heading into the weekend, it looks like we will be entering another long stretch of 100 degree days.

Heat Wave

The story for the past month (or more) has been the heat wave.  By the time the summer of 2011 is complete it will more than likely go down as the hottest and one of the driest summers on record for Wichita, Kansas.

With conditions like we are experiencing all of our programs are under extreme pressure from cultural practices (such as aerification, topdressing, and grooming) to our chemical programs (such as herbicide, fungicide, and fertility programs) to water management.  All of these programs must work together, along with all the other details we manage, to bring the golf course through the extreme conditions we are facing.

Water management has been high on our list since the beginning of the summer.  Walking the fine line between dry and not too dry is the daily challenge.  Not only is water expensive, too much water can cause more problems compared to not enough.  Hand watering, use of wetting agents, proper summer venting (aerification), and use of soil moisture sensors have all proven to be invaluable resources on a daily basis.

With one more month to go we will continue on the same path with the hope of some relief before fall arrives.  Certainly, the summer of 2011 will be one we won't forget any time soon.