Golf Course Update May 25th 2011

Sodding in the rain this morning May 25th 2011 (2 Raven Tee)

2011 Winter Injury on Rough Cut Turf Areas
Extreme snow mold pressure has caused significant turf loss throughout the golf course mostly in rough height turf areas. All areas of the golf course that were treated with a preventative fungicide application came through winter in good – excellent condition. Rough height turf areas have never been treated with snow mold protection in the past.

The major cause of this snow mold damage was a combination of the following factors.

1) Abnormally warm weather in October and first 2 weeks of November
a) Air temperatures in the first few weeks of November that reached daily highs of between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius limited the turfs ability to prepare for winter.

b) Turf needs cold dry weather to harden off (dehydrate) in preparation for a long winter. The Hardening off (dehydration) of turf is essential to combat snow mold and crown hydration injury (ice damage). The hardening off process requires cold weather and hard frost which is normally prevalent in the fall at Priddis Greens (not so in 2010).

c) Very little to no frost in the ground over winter also contributes to snow mold. This was the situation in winter 2010-2011.

2) Dormant fertilizer application
a) Dormant fertilizing is a practice we have followed for 15 years with excellent results.

b) The timing of the dormant fertilizer application (October 23rd - normal) in combination with the above seasonal temperatures in November could have played a factor in the turfs limited ability to harden off (prepare for winter).

3) Duration of snow cover:
a) An unprecedented 170 days of snow cover produced extreme snow mold pressure. The number one factor causing snow mold is the amount of snow and most importantly the duration of snow cover throughout winter. This was the longest period of snow cover since record keeping began at Priddis Greens in 1994.

4) Cool wet spring:
a)As snow melted the slush and water stayed around keeping the turf wet for extended periods which continues to add to disease pressure. Areas of shade are much more susceptible as they don’t melt or dry quickly enough.

**Note: The evaluation process is under way to determine the cost benefit analysis of treating rough with snow mold fungicide in the future.

Repair Work on Damaged Rough Areas

1) Sod highest priority areas:
- Around greens and tees, and landing areas along the cart path side of fairways

2) Seeding of rough:

- Areas that are somewhat out of play and where cart traffic can be managed.
- Mowing equipment and golf car traffic has to be managed to give the seedlings the best opportunity for survival.

3) Cart Path Rule:
- Golf cart traffic will remain on paths only for a period of time until the seed and sod work is completed.
- Although some rough areas will be replaced, if it is wet and carts drive through them excessive damage will be realized and the playability and appearance of the golf course will deteriorate.
- Every effort will be made to allow carts on fairways when and as soon as possible.

Timing of Work
• The installation of sod has begun and will continue daily as long as environmental conditions allow. Dry weather is required to perform big roll sod repairs as the equipment will cause damage in wet weather. However, staff will continue to work in wet weather, changing gears from laying big roll sod with equipment to laying small roll by hand.

• Seed work should be completed by the end of May – first week of June.

• If weather cooperates we will take approximately 3 weeks to complete repairs. If the weather is wet it will take longer.