6 Hawk Green Winter Injury Update

Last winter, 6 Hawk green experienced a significant amount of winter injury. Of the 40 greens maintained at Priddis Greens, 6 Hawk was the only green that experienced winter injury. A number of practices and strategies are being implemented by Turfcare staff to encourage growth and recovery on 6 Hawk.

6 Hawk Green 4/30/14

Before the green can be opened for play, the green must be showing signs of significant recovery. Exposing the green to golfers and the rigors of daily maintenance procedures too early will only hinder the recovery of the green. Opening after the green has recovered will ensure that the green is at the same playable standard as the other greens for the remainder of the golfing season. Because the weather has been cool, we have had limited success with turf recovery thus far. Once improved temperatures are realized, we plan to have golfers playing this green in a few weeks.

Turfcare staff has been using a variety of practices and strategies to facilitate the fastest recovery possible. The green has been aerated, double verti-cut and seeded multiple times. In order to increase soil temperatures to a point where germination can occur, the green is also being tarped every night. The green is being watered numerous times throughout the day to keep the seed wet, which is essential for germination. Once the seed germinates, great care is taken to ensure the seedlings survive. The green will be mowed at a higher height of cut to enhance turf health. As with many projects on the golf course, weather (temperature) will be the most important factor in the timing of the opening of the green.

6 Hawk Green 5/5/14

In previous years, greens have not been tarped in the fall until the ground is frozen. This prevents water from being trapped under the tarp and the green subsequently holding water. This year however, due to warmer temperatures in the fall and early snowfall, greens were not tarped as usual. After the first snowfall, snow had to be removed from the 20 greens that are covered over winter. Of the 20 greens that are tarped, 6 Hawk was the last to be covered and was subject to the most exposure. In addition to unideal tarping conditions, it was discovered this spring that drainage from 6 Hawk green had been crushed, and water was unable to exit the green while it remained tarped in the early spring. The combination of unusual tarping conditions and crushed drainage has led to a state of turf anoxia, which has resulted in injured turf on the front and back left of the putting surface. Even during winter, the plant is metabolizing and producing carbon dioxide. On a green with functioning drainage, the plant is able to take in oxygen. The crushed drainage on 6 Hawk limited the supply of oxygen to the plant, and a buildup of carbon dioxide eventually became toxic to the plant.