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