Golf Course Conditions – September 2024

August Course Update from Rusty Hill, GCS

The month of August was a long one, to say the least. Between the aeration of the greens, storm damage, and minimal rain, there has been plenty of work to do on the golf course, and there’s still more to go.

Aeration & Recovery:
Aerating the greens went well, and they continue to recover daily. During aeration, we apply extra fertilizer to speed up recovery. While this may slow green speeds for a couple of weeks, we’re already close to regulating it again.

Storm Damage Cleanup:
On August 17th, a storm swept through and took down 40 trees, scattering debris across the course. We prioritized cleaning up the main playing areas and will continue to clear the edges in the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead to September

September promises cooler temperatures, according to the weather forecast, which means we’ve already started the first applications of pre-emergent treatments on the course.

Course Treatments:

• We began with greens and surrounds, using a new plan to combat and prevent poa annua.
• The first pre-emergent application has also been applied to the fairways.
• Next up: Tees and roughs.

Precise timing and application are critical. Our goal is to complete the first round of applications before soil temperatures reach 70°F, without applying too early.

Greens Health:
The greens are showing noticeable improvements in both health and color after aerification. We’ve added a biomass product to the greens program, which has been proven to dramatically improve root growth and mass. This will help maintain healthy greens through the winter and into spring.

Poa Annua Research:
We’ve sent samples of last year’s poa annua plants to Auburn University for herbicide resistance testing. The results will guide our future strategies for preventing poa annua on the course.

Course Etiquette Reminder

As always, please repair all ball marks and fill your divots during your round. Additionally, I ask that you rake any bunker you enter. Last Tuesday, we raked every bunker perfectly, yet by Wednesday morning, 23 out of 30 bunkers had been played without anyone raking behind them. This is neither fair nor enjoyable for the golfers following you. Let’s all do better.

Thank you all for your cooperation,
Rusty Hill
GCS