Golf Course Update- Arrival of Turfgrass Interns

Over the past few weeks the conditioning of the golf course and grounds has been evolving with warmer temperatures and the influx of seasonal staff. The Grounds Staff and I have been focusing on enhancing the overall playability of the golf course.

The Zoysia grass continues to move in the right direction with warmer temperatures and even the sodded Zoysia areas from last season are improving with a little help from paint and pigments to improve the playability and aesthetics of these areas.

This time of year also ushers in the new class of Turfgrass interns to Hyde Park. Each year HP has 2-3 interns from various schools across the United States and internationally. This year is no different, with an eager group to take on many roles within the department.

Meet the Interns:

Jason Cox

Joins us from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is originally from Columbus, Ohio and has worked on golf courses in both Ohio and Florida. Prior to working in the golf industry, Jason was involved with transportation logistics for 15 years.

Tian Xinyu (Tim)

Tim joins Hyde Park from the Ohio State International Intern Program. Tim is from Nantong, China and graduated from Nanjing University where he was a double major in computer science and business. Tim has worked at Xiao Yangkou Country Club in China.

Nate Benter

Nate is a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in Turf Science and Management from Seymour, Indiana. This will be Nate's first season on a golf course but he is an avid golfer and has work experiences on the agricultural side.

The turfgrass interns are involved with many key components of the organization from pesticide and fertilizer applications, training of new staff and trials of new products. Interns are exposed to all aspects of managing a grounds department. The Turfgrass Intern program at HP has been a great opportunity to provide mentoring and development of Turfgrass professionals in the industry and develop future HP staff members.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

White Putting Surfaces

As of late there has been many questions concerning the putting quality and appearance of the putting greens (except #1 green). Every spring the Poa Annua (Annual Bluegrass) begins to flower producing white seeds that make the greens have a white appearance and putt very poorly. As many of you know, Annual Bluegrass is not the desired turf grass for the putting surfaces. This grass is not heat tolerant, has poor putting quality, more susceptable to fungal pathogens and quite frankly costs more to maintain then bentgrass with increased labor, fertilize and pesticides. Some of the greens at Hyde Park are composed of 50 percent Annual Bluegrass.

Annual Bluegrass is an opportunistic plant, although difficult to control it can be accomplished with a strategic approach, after 9 years 1 green has less then 5 percent and these populations will continue to decline with new technologies in the market place.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent