Bermuda Control

Over the past couple of weeks we have been experimenting with a new product for removing unwanted Bermuda grass from cool season grass.  The primary areas we are targeting are the Collars and Intermediate Rough bordering our greens.  Both of these areas have historically suffered from Bermuda encroachment.  Up until now, our only reliable method of removing the Bermuda was a non selective kill (Roundup) followed by sodding.  Even then, Bermuda seems to find its way back within a year or two.

Fortunately, BASF has come up with a product called Pylex that is (so far) showing positive results for removing the Bermuda in these areas. 
 

Day 4 after treatment

Day 10 after treatment

The photos above are of the first test plot from the chipping green collar.  After seeing the results, we have also treated areas on #16 collar, as well as the Intermediate Rough on #1 Green.

#16 Collar

 

Intermediate Rough on #1 Green

 
As you can see, the product is definitely having an impact on the Bermuda, with minimal impact to the desired turf.  We will continue to experiment with small areas around the course, with the hope of moving forward next season with a plan for Bermuda eradication in the Collars and Intermediate Rough.

Fall Aerification Schedule

Over the years, the one constant in our greens management program has been the commitment to aerification.  What started out as a simple spring and fall coring has now incorporated the use of venting greens with pencil tines throughout the season.  For our greens especially, keeping them open and breathing is the single most important practice we utilize.

Along with the aerification, we also use this time to work in an aggressive verticutting with a heavy sand topdressing.  Greens take a temporary setback with the disruption but the long term benefits are clear.

For the fall of 2013 we will begin aerification on September 10th.  Due to a Monday outside event and a Tuesday WGA Invitational our first full day of aerification will be the 11th. The schedule is as follows:

•  Tuesday September 10th:      Aerify Practice Greens.
• Wednesday September 11th:  Aerify Front Nine Greens.
• Thursday September 12th:      Aerify Back Nine Greens.

Throughout the process we will have at least 9 holes available for play each day.  Since we are only utilizing the deep tine aerifier, without pulling a core, this should be less disruptive compared to our spring aerification.  I would expect greens to be decent by the middle of the following week.
 

Golf Course Update

Wanted to give you a quick update on where we are with the golf course.  So far this week we have had a little over an inch of rain.  Not too much, but on top of an already wet golf course, it felt more like three inches of rain!

On Monday we finished mowing all of the rough before the rain moved in.  The front nine rough was actually cut twice, which made a big improvement.  Today (Thursday) we were able to get started again with the rough.  Still a little wet, but we are making progress.  Our biggest concern is the 50% chance of rain for tonight.  If we miss this rain, the golf course will be completely mowed for the first time in over two weeks.  As you can imagine, we are praying for no rain tonight!

Through all of this weather, the fairways have been slower to dry out compared to the rest of the course.  For all the benefits of Zoysia, the downside is the tendency to act like a sponge following a rain event.  Luckily, as slow as the Zoysia  has been growing, it hasn't been as bad as you might expect.

Along those same lines, if we miss the rain tonight, I would expect to get carts off the path on Friday.  Any amount of rain, would limit our ability to mow or get carts off the path.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we deal with record rainfall this summer. 

Golf Course Update

Unfortunately, the main topic of conversation for the last three weeks hasn't changed.  We continue to experience near record rainfall in our area and throughout the state.  Since July 14th it has rained 17 out of the last 25 days.  Seven of the rain events were over an inch, with three of them over 2".  Since July 1st we've had almost 14" of rain.  To put that in perspective, last year during this same time frame, we had .35" of rain.  Looking ahead there is an 80% chance of rain tonight, 70% chance for Thursday, before (hopefully) clearing off for the weekend.

On the bright side, our city's source of drinking water, Cheney Lake, is now 95% full.  The severe drought we have experienced for the last few years is beginning to ease.  However, the most direct impact to Wichita Country Club is the savings associated with irrigating the property.  Through July, we have used 63% less water in 2013 compared to 2012.  Based on where we are for the month of August, we may not need to irrigate until the middle of the month.  Certainly, there are numerous positives that come with the rainfall.

For all the positives, we are struggling to maintain the golf course in the wet conditions.  The biggest impact has been our inability to mow the rough.  Luckily, we were able to mow the entire golf course on Thursday of last week.  Since then it has been too wet for our equipment.  Rough is currently 6-7" tall.  We have three fairways (12, 13, and 15) that have not been mowed in over two weeks.  13 and 15 went completely under water in an earlier rain, 12 was slow to dry out; preventing us from mowing these fairways with the others.

Healthy Rough!

  Tees and greens have stayed on a (mostly) normal mowing schedule due to better drainage.  We have also been using push mowers around greens to give some relief from the tall grass.  Unfortunately, we can't push mow the whole thing!   

Outside of the lack of mowing, the course is looking great.  We are always concerned with disease during these weather patterns.  So far, our preventative applications are working.  Although the weather has put a damper on late summer golf, we are setting up for great conditions this fall.

I will continue to keep you posted through Twitter (@wccbrian) and the blog.