Golf Course Update We are a little more than halfway through the season and weather has been the topic of discussion for 2018. We have experienced multiple temperature and precipitation challenges. In April we experienced record-setting low temperatures followed by one of the warmest Mays, which averaged 10 degrees above normal. This warm trend has now continued throughout June and the beginning of July. This year we have experienced three heat waves (three days in a row above 95 degrees) and have had a total of 32 days that have reached 90 degrees or above. We reached 100 degrees on July 12th, the first time since September 2013. Along with the heat, the golf course has received little precipitation. We are 11 inches below our annual average and are currently in the severe drought category. Below I have provided the drought monitor map as of July 13th. On Saturday, July 14th, we missed a significant chance of precipitation as the heavy rain stayed south. The lack of rain has not only impacted the turfgrass, but also our main irrigation source, the lake on hole #9. The lake level is 12 inches below full which has forced us to restrict how much water we can use.
Image from Action 41 News
We do fill the lake from our city feed, but Missouri American Water has restricted how much water we can have, creating even more challenges for our water supply and turfgrass management. Due to the water restrictions and concern for running out of water, we have stopped or limited watering certain areas. These areas include the golf course rough, Practice Facility rough, and common areas throughout National Drive. Once the lake level becomes sufficient, we will resume our normal watering practices.
Golf Course Update
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Even areas that are receiving nightly irrigation cycles are starting to show signs of drought stress. This is mainly caused by the irrigation deficiencies and the irrigation water not penetrating the soil as efficiently as rain. Once we receive a substantial amount of rain, these areas will look and play to their usual standard. How You Can Help • Keep carts on the fairways • Keep carts off the cool-season roughs • Park carts in the zoysia fairways while looking for your ball in the rough The team continues to work extremely hard during this strenuous time. We are doing everything we can to keep the entire property as healthy as possible through this current drought and high temperature period. Thank you for your understanding and support! Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Spencer Roberts Director of Golf Course Maintenance spencer@thenationalgolfclub.com
Current level of our irrigation lake on #9
Drought stress on #15 fairway
Drought stress and cart traffic stress on #10 rough