Course

As we enter the last week in June the one thing that has been consistent is the cool and up until last week, dry weather. We have only had 6 days in June were the high temperature for the day has been above average. The cool temps have made spending time out on the golf course very enjoyable but they have also had a dramatic affect on the turf. In my estimation we are 3-4 weeks behind were we typically are at this point in the season. For instance, seed heads on the greens typically peak and start to tail off before Memorial Day, but we are still seeing them now.

Steve McDonald, a turf consultant in the Northeast released a Spring Observation Letter last week. We wanted to share a couple sections of his letter with you.

Weather to Date for 2023: June has started off dry as well but still cool. Even weirder was the smoke that created a haze on June 6th-9th.

From a golf player standpoint, some things that many golfers may have noticed is firm fairways and roughs- balls bouncing more than normal for springtime weather and almost like fall golf. The color of the grass may seem to be a little off Many of the greens I have visited are not as green as they normally are for June, but they are completely healthy. Some greens I have visited have been extremely firm where finding a ball mark is tough. However, recovery from aerification and the greens may be slightly off color It is important to note that most golf courses in the Met Region are a mixture of bentgrass and annual bluegrass. These grasses have distinctly different colors especially during cool springs.

“Bumpy”

and Greens Visually Off Colored Greens:

Many golf greens in the MET region are comprised of a grass mixture that has evolved over the last 30 or more years Some golf courses have re-grassed greens to 100% bentgrass but most golf courses have not. This spring, due to the dry, cool weather, these mixtures of bentgrass and Poa annua were off colored as well as golfers may visually see the ball “chatter” or not be as true as they expect. As the greens begin to fully break dormancy in June, this should be reduced but I understand that this can be a concern.

If you are interested in reading the full letter, please email Scott Olson, Grounds Superintendent, at superintendent@knollwoodcc.com.