Extreme cold: what does this mean for the turf?

Over the next few days an Artic air mass will be inundating much of the Midwest, South and East coast with extreme cold with temperatures in the single digit range and wind chills that will reach close to -30F. This extreme cold will pose some serious challenges for turfgrass survival, especially the Zoysia grass.

Turfgrass, in general terms, similar to the human body enjoys moderation. The fairways at Hyde Park are composed of Meyer Zoysia, a warm season grass that thrives well in warm humid climates. Unfortunately, Zoyisa grass cold tolerance hardiness is lower compared to cool season grasses such as creeping bentgrass. There are several types of winter kill, however with this large temperature swing (30F) I am going to discuss the possibility of low temperature kill. Low temperature kill occurs when ice forms inside the plant, however this is most common in early winter when the plant has not had the chance to adjust or harden off for the cold months ahead.

The recent rain ahead of the cold temperatures has left standing water on many of the fairways, ice formation will occur and may damage the plant. Areas on the fairways that have higher levels of shade, compaction, or poor drainage will have a increased chance to be impacted by the extreme cold temperatures. Also, the newly laid Zoyisa sod from the fall renovation of hole 13 has a greater chance of being impacted, because it did not have time to establish roots due to dormancy. Hopefully, before the onset of the cold temperatures a blanket of snow will help insulate and moderate the soil and canopy temperatures. As you can see from the photo below the snow was melting quickly on Sunday evening.

Historically, the last significant winterkill damage at Hyde Park occurred in 1996, when there was a warm December followed by extreme low temperatures in January with no snow cover. (Figure 1. Excerpts of July 1997 USGA visit) With that said there is no granantee that turf will be lost but the chances have increased. We will monitor closely and keep the membership updated.

One of the most important ways to prepare the turf for the winter is to grow healthy turf. Some of the key building blocks of our program include:

• Eliminate cart traffic on dormant turf
• Higher mowing height prior to winter to protect the crown of plant
• Aeration and Topdressing
• Proper fertilization
• Tree removal
• Added drainage

The picture below shows how much green is still evident in the Zoysia even in January.

Figure. 1 (Excerpts of USGA site visit 1997)

 

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email at: grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

Golf Course Update-Winter Preparations and Renovations

The Grounds staff and I transistion into the winter months with plenty on the agenda to accomplish. Recently, the staff completed a new forward tee on 6. The tee was only shifted roughly 70 feet but it is now level, aligned correctly and much closer to the cart path. The red dot in the picture below signifies where the new tee is located.

The staff has also started work on the back tee on 6. The scope of the work includes leveling, alligning and reshaping.

Drainage:

The drainage contractor, XGD systems continues to work diligently to install drainage systems on holes 3,5,14,15. The drainage systems are composed of 2" pipe on 6 foot centers across the putting surfaces, all of the trenches are backfilled with a sandier material to allow increased percolation of access water. Greens 3,5,14,15 were chosen because of the higher populations of Poa and there challenging micro climates (limited air movement and increased shade) After completion,HP will have 7 greens that will drain adequately. Also, to help air movement a fan will installed near the 3rd green.

Tree Management Program:

One of the key areas the staff focuses on in the winter months is tree managment. Shade and competion from roots can be a detriment to healthy traffgrass growth. The above photo is clearing of the invasive honey suckle in the rightside of hole 3. Once removed, it will be more asthetically pleasing and will allow for greater air movement to reduce pathogens.

Irrigation Winterization:

One of the last practices that signifies winter is here is the irrigation winterization. This process involves moving compressed air through the almost 90 miles of pipe on the property to insure the pipe will not fracture if freezing occurs.

Miscellaneous Projects:

• Poa removal in collars
• Green expansions
• Fan installation near 3 green
• Non-selective herbicide applications to the fairways

The Grounds Department during the winter months is also responsible for snow removal for the platform courts, parking lots and surrounding walkways.

From the Grounds Department we wish you and you're family a happy holiday season.

Regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent