Arkansas Turfgrass - Spring 2021

T H E A R KA N S A S T U R F G RA S S A S S O C I AT I O N M AG AZ I N E • S P R I N G 2021

NATIVE AND NATURAL ROUGHS

F O R S O U T H E A S T E R N G O L F CO U R S E S

Highlights from 2021

ATA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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12

8

FEATURES 12

DEPARTMENTS

Cover Story –

Native and Natural Roughs for Southeastern Golf Courses

8 Recent Event –

Highlights from ATA Annual Conference

6 President’s Message 7 Index of Advertisers 7 University of Arkansas Turf Team

Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: T H E T U R F Z O N E.C O M

4 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

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Arkansas Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 185 • Bryant, AR 72089 Tel: 501-860-0187

NEW Opportunities Richard Covert ATA President

A

new year brings with it new challenges and new opportunities. As we enter the spring season, the return of the green to our yards, fields, and facilities reminds us of renewal and brighter days ahead. As an association, we are confident that the spring and summer months will bring us closer to a return to in-person gatherings and opportunities to come together as an organization.

Though our 2021 Annual Conference was held virtually, our speakers brought the same invaluable information we’ve always enjoyed as part of our educational events. We thank those of you who supported the event through your attendance and I hope that you all learned something new. We were still able to honor our association award winners and we are grateful that we had the support of our generous sponsors.

We understand the work before us and hope to help your business remain essential and grow this year – many of us simply survived the past year, but our sincere hope is that this year we will all thrive.

We are hard at work to provide the resources you need to navigate the coming busy season. As the months pass, we will be considering the options for our 2022 conference and will be in touch with you as decisions are made. We are hopeful that in-person events and education will be possible soon, but we’re remaining agile to adapt to changing safety guidelines.

We are proud to continue serving you,

Richard Covert ATA President

Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: 615-790-3718 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com ATA OFFICERS Richard Covert, President Baptist Health Systems Richard.covert@baptist-health.org Kyle Sanders, Immediate Past President Sanders Ground Essentials 501-315-9395 kylesanders@sandersground.com Jeff Haskins, Treasurer Paragould Country Club 870-780-5883 Ja1116@earthlink.net Karen Cooper Executive Director 785-331-9225 ataturfgrass@gmail.com Doug Karcher, Ph.D., Education Chair University of Arkansas • 479-575-5723 karcher@uark.edu Pat Berger, Director Emeritus University of Arkansas • 479-575-6887 pberger@uark.edu Charlie Bowen, Director Emeritus Arkansas Hydroseed • 501-315-7333 charliebowen@yahoo.com Seth Dunlap Arkansas State Plant Board seth.dunlap@agriculture.arkansas.gov 501-225-1598 Mark Brown Nabholz • 501-749-7459 rmbrown2@ualr.edu Rodney Fisher Life Member, Founding Member Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agrarod@yahoo.com Ron Fisher Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agraron@yahoo.com Steve Ibbotson Conway Parks & Rec. • 501-328-4173 Steve.ibbotson@cityofconway.org Josh Landreth Ace of Blades • 479-530-7001 aceofblades@cox.net Mark Mowrey, Director Emeritus Oaklawn • 501-538-1600 bntgrns@yahoo.com Guy Oyler Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation goyler@jerrypate.com • 501-317-5980 Rodger Pevehouse Life Member Michael Rush Rush Lawn Care • 501-279-8980 mrush@rushlawn.com

6 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

Ricky Self Cypress Creek r.self@yahoo.com • 501-605-8000

U N I V E R S I TY O F A R KA N S A S T U R F T E A M Doug Karcher, Ph.D. Professor 479-575-5723 karcher@uark.edu Mike Richardson, Ph.D. Professor 479-575-2860 mricha@uark.edu John Boyd, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock 479-575-2354 Jwb019@uark.edu John H. McCalla Jr. Program Technician III 479-575-5033 jmccall@uark.edu

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INDEX OF A DV E RT I S E R S Agra Turf, Inc............................................... 9 www.agrainc.com Beam Clay.................................................... 9 www.BEAMCLAY.com ChemTrade Turf, LLC.................................. 5 chemtradeturf.com Dave’s Sale and Service............................. 9 www.turfeagle.com Jackson Sand................................Back Cover www.jacksonsand.com Leading Edge Communications....Back Cover www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc................ 9 www.progressiveturfequip.com R.W. Distributors......................................... 3 www.Exmark.com Smith Seed Services...................Back Cover www.smithseed.com The Turfgrass Group......Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Triple C Outdoor Power Equipment......... 7 www.triplecsales.com

The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association, its staff, or its board of directors, Arkansas Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Arkansas Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2021 by the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Arkansas Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications: 615-790-3718 or sales@leadingedgecommunications.com

Spring 2021

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ARKANSAS TU R FGRASS

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM ATA 2021

ANNUAL CONFERENCE L

ike nearly every other state, regional or national turfgrass organization, we had to convert the 2021 ATA Annual Conference into a virtual event. The great news is, our amazing educators have adapted to this format and still delivered a first class educational experience!

Attendees benefitted from the research and experience of a variety of researchers and turf professionals from far and wide. A special thanks to our presenters:

Shawn Askew, Ph.D. – Virginia Tech Vikram Baliga, Ph.D. – Texas Tech Jason Davis – University of Arkansas Eric DeBoer, Ph.D. Student – University of Arkansas Rhiannon de la Rosa, MS Student – University of Arkansas Lisa Goatley, LPC – The Cascade Group Mike Goatley, Ph.D. – Virginia Tech Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D. – Bayer Doug Karcher, Ph.D. – University of Arkansas Bill Maynard, CGCS – MTI Distributing Lee Miller, Ph.D. – University of Missouri Thom Nikolai, Ph.D. – Michigan State University Daniel O’Brien, Ph.D. Student – University of Arkansas Jay Randolph, CGCS – Ben Geren GC Eric Reasor, Ph.D. – PBI Gordon Mike Richardson, Ph.D. – University of Arkansas Chrissie Segars, Ph.D. – Texas A&M Thomas Walton, MS Student – University of Arkansas

8 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

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ARKANSAS TU R FGRASS

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R E C E N T E V E N T • continued

CONGRATULATIONS GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR

TO OUR

Magellan Golf Course, Hot Springs Village

M

agellan began as a 3-hole golf school for beginners to learn the game. Because of its popularity in the Village, in 1995, it was expanded to become a full 18-hole course.

“Magellan Golf Club plays a little shorter than other courses in Hot Springs Village, but its tricky greens prove troublesome,” says superintendent Donald Jones. “Magellan continues to be one of the best practice facilities in the community with a large driving range, putting green and several short game areas. The course is a favorite of our female golfers.”

Despite the irrigation system being original to the 1995 expansion and having older equipment, Jones says, “we still find a way to provide a consistent golf course with inconsistent equipment.”

In a time of reduced staffing and budgets due to COVID, this is a testament to the team of professionals who work so hard to provide a great golf experience. •

10 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

ATA AWARD WINNERS! FIELD OF THE YEAR

Rambler Baseball Field at Rose Bud

T

aylor Cooper took on the head baseball coach position at Rose Bud High School in 2014. The field had only just been built and was far from what the coach hoped it would be. “Although it was a new field, many things were just not done correctly, nor with much detail or care,” Cooper says.

“The grass was very bare, but what grass was there seemed to mostly be pasture grass and weeds. The infield playing area was not symmetrical nor had any type of conditioner for a smooth playing surface.”

In an effort to provide a better field for his team, Cooper discovered a true passion for field work and maintenance. Through the past seven years, he has continued to put in the hours of labor required to rehab the baseball field. Through acquiring a budget for field maintenance, and with support from AgraTurf, Cooper has turned his rural high school’s baseball stadium into a shining example of sports turf maintenance. •

Spring 2021

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ARKANSAS TUR FGRASS

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COV E R S TO RY

NATIVE NATURAL ROUGHS AND

for SOUTHEASTERN GOLF COURSES

By Jay McCurdy, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Mississippi State University A tall fescue area at Alotian Club, Roland, AR; Superintendent Koji Mitchell.

G

olf course designers and maintainers are increasingly interested in low-maintenance rough and natural areas.

Labor shortages and maintenance costs are partially responsible for this trend. The general public’s growing interest in the environmental benefits of golf courses also contributes to the trend. Numerous sources establish the benefits of native and natural roughs. Although not discussed in length, benefits include: • Aesthetics • Reduced inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, equipment hours, and labor costs • Improved stormwater retention and runoff water quality • Temperature modification • Wildlife habitat inclusion

This article covers several important topics regarding native golf course roughs in the southeastern United States, including species selection, establishment, and maintenance.

Southeastern states share similar environmental and socioeconomic conditions that influence course design and play.

These conditions, while not unique, distinguish southeastern golf course design and maintenance from that of other regions. For instance, many architects and aficionados desire the aesthetics of a links-style, fine fescue rough, but in the Southeast, this is rarely practical or sustainable.

The Southeast’s humid subtropical climate is characterized by warm and moist summer months. Annual rainfall can exceed 50 inches. Much of that rainfall occurs during the active growth period of warm-season plant species, which dominate the playing

12 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

surfaces where golf is played year-round. Contrast this with the temperate oceanic climate of Scotland, for instance, where annual rainfall is roughly half that of the southeastern United States and the temperature range is ideal for cool-season species. For these reasons, species selection, culture of native areas, and expectations for golf courses in the southeastern United States should be soundly based.

It is important to differentiate native and naturalized species.

Native plants originated locally and predate European settlement.

Naturalized plants are not native but grow, reproduce, and maintain viable populations without human intervention. These definitions may seem academic, but an owner’s or architect’s specification of one or the other may have real and lasting consequences.

Natural areas in the southeast are not limited to grasses. They may be composed of trees, broadleaf forbs, sedges, and rushes.

Each of these species plays an integral part in a healthy ecosystem.

Many American golfers and superintendents are familiar with the look of fine fescue roughs on links-style courses, such as Chambers Bay or Oakmont. Unfortunately, fescues often fail to persist in the mid to coastal Southeast and are rarely “low maintenance.” Despite the availability of many suitable native and naturalized grasses, superintendents are often unfamiliar with their characteristics.

Tall Fescue Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is common in golf course natural areas throughout the Southeast. It is a cool-season grass native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in many places outside of its native range. Many pastoral golf settings (Sweetens Cove, Old Waverly, and Jackson Country Club) have mixtures of tall fescue and the native warm-season grasses little bluestem and broomsedge. Tall fescue is only moderately drought tolerant

compared to most warm-season alternatives; nevertheless, it persists well in much of the mid and deep South. As a cool-season perennial, it is best established in the fall. It tolerates relatively low mowing heights in the moderate climate of the Southeast’s transition zone but generally does not require mowing to propagate by seed, as seed heads ripen in midsummer. The further south one goes, the less tolerant of mowing it becomes. For this reason, it grows well in complex with other species but is difficult to maintain as a monoculture. Frequent reseeding is required if monoculture stands are desired.

Native Warm-Season Species Warm-season species predominate power line and transportation rights-of-way throughout the Southeast, and the golf course industry has renewed interest in including them in native roughs.

This trend seems to have gained traction after Pinehurst No. 2 renovated mown rough in favor of wider fairways surrounded by penal vegetation and natural waste areas in 2011. There has since been a growing demand for that same aesthetic, unfortunately often without proper consideration of costs, plant availability, or agronomic practicality. What works in sandy Coastal Plains soils rarely works in the chalky prairie soils of the Black Belt or the red dirt of the Piedmont. Some species that work well across almost all southeastern environments are described below.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is perhaps the most prevalent native warm-season species on golf course roughs in the Southeast. It tolerates most soil pH conditions and is relatively easy to establish from seed. Commercially available varieties and local populations may have different heights, plant vigor, and even color. When growing in rich soils as a monoculture, little bluestem can reach heights greater than 5 feet. Under typical conditions where it is paired with tall fescue or bermudagrass, however, its height may be less than 3 feet.

Bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus) has a large fluffy inflorescence. It is common in open fields and waste areas of the southeast. It grows well alongside its equally as common cousin broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus). Both prefer acidic soils but grow well in almost all low-maintenance areas. These two species are challenging to propagate by seed because of a fluffy appendage that makes them difficult to spread or drill. If using a drill, it should be equipped to handle fluffy seed types.

Senesced little bluestem, Mossy Oak Golf Course, West Point, MS; Superintendent Brad Suggs.

The golden seed head of indiangrass.

Other Native Species In addition to those previously mentioned, several warmseason grasses tolerate full sun, including purple muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), purple top tridens (Tridens flavus), wiregrass (Aristada species), and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). Height and biomass can be an issue with lowland and upland switchgrass (Panicum virginicum), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), but they too can be attractive additions.

Very few native warm-season grass species thrive in shaded conditions, such as woodland margins. Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) or upland switchgrass can persist, but these plants reach heights of 6 to 8 feet.

Spring 2021

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COV E R S TO RY • continued

Several native cool-season grasses can be used for maintaining green color and texture through winter. They include those that are less dense than tall fescue but mimic its height and texture.

These may be planted in conjunction with other warm-season grasses or may be planted alone. Southeastern wildrye (Elymus glabriflorus) needs full sun. Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus) does well in partial shade. Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) prefers moist soil and partial shade. Riverbank wildrye (Elymus riparius) does well along creeks and rivers. Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrics), a woodland edge species, does well under deciduous trees.

In wetland margins, lowland switchgrass may be used, but this species may reach heights of 10 feet or more. Several spartina species, including prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinate), are common along the Gulf Coast of the Southeast. Hardy sugarcane (AKA Silver plume grass; either Saccharum alopecuroides or S. giganteum) is very tolerant of wet areas but plant height may be 8 to 10 feet.

A mixed native warm-season grass rough that contains spartina, bushy bluestem, wiregrass, and broomsedge, Preserve Golf Course, Vancleave, MS; Superintendent Stephen Miles.

Little bluestem area that has been mown midsummer to improve playability at Mossy Oak Golf Course, West Point, MS; Superintendent Brad Suggs.

Keys to Establishment Vegetation control prior to tillage and planting is critical. Multiple applications of nonselective herbicides (typically glyphosate), sometimes a full year in advance, are necessary to control weeds like bermudagrass, johnsongrass, dallisgrass, and vasseygrass before seeded establishment.

While fall seeding is best for cool-season species like tall fescue, native warm-season grasses are typically seeded in the spring when soil conditions are warmer than 55 degrees. Native grasses are slow to establish and require some additional consideration. It may take three or more years to reach a mature, dense stand.

Weed control during this time may be aided by application of Plateau (imazapic), which is safe on many native warm-season species but will control most cool-season species, including tall fescue. Plateau will control young crabgrass and will suppress bermudagrass and dallisgrass but has little effect on broadleaved weeds. The exposed soil of slowly establishing native warmseason roughs is an open invitation for warm-season annual broadleaved weeds like Virginia buttonweed, tropic croton, chamberbitter, and poorjoe. A broadleaf herbicide like Crossbow (2,4-D and triclopyr) or NativeKlean (2,4-D and aminopyralid) is often warranted during the first few years of establishment.

Complicating weed control further is the fact that these native roughs can grow so tall that a standard boom sprayer cannot pass over them. For this reason, a single nozzle boomless sprayer is sometimes required for late-season applications.

Mowing and Burning Native and naturalized species propagate by seed. Golf course superintendents may leverage this characteristic to manipulate stand density. Cool-season grasses disseminate their seeds during the summer. Warm-season grasses disseminate their seeds during the fall and winter. Seed propagation relies upon open, exposed

14 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Spring 2021

soil, which may be achieved by grazing, mowing, or burning.

Tall fescue evolved under grazing pressure rather than seasonal burning, but mowing is a common substitute. Most species native to the southeast evolved under grazing or periodic burning, and thus mowing is a viable substitute.

For playability, one may wish to decrease plant density in natural areas so that golfers can find balls. This is achieved by mowing at suboptimal times. For erosion control or aesthetics, one may wish to increase plant density. This is achieved by favoring the desired plant species. Most courses will strategically mow or burn parts, but not all, of their rough on an annual basis.

For seed dispersal and increased stand vigor of native warmseason species, mowing or burning should occur when seed heads are ripe and plant material is senesced (dry and brown). The recommended mowing height for most natives is at least 8 inches.

Tall fescue tolerates relatively low mowing heights (~4 inches).

Many superintendents favor a mixed stand of tall fescue and native warm-season grasses like broomsedge and little bluestem.

Shifting a population away from tall fescue and towards native warm-season grasses is easy to achieve with winter burning followed by two applications of Plateau (in roughly April and June). Alternatively, introducing cool-season species with fall seeding of tall fescue or native cool-season grasses can be aided by suppressing the growth of native warm-season species with summertime mowing.

Flowering Plants and Pollinator Habitat Introduction of flowering plant species is rarely discussed in context with establishment of biodiverse golf course rough. The topic deserves its own essay, but the same techniques mentioned above may be used to favor the seeded establishment of pollinatorfriendly forbs and wildflowers. These species are far less tolerant of the herbicides mentioned thus far. In fact, Mississippi State University research indicates that very few herbicides are safe across the typical species found in southeastern flora. The ACCaseinhibiting herbicides, like Fusilade (fluazifop), Poast or Segment (sethoxydim), and Acclaim (fenoxaprop), that control grasses, are useful during the establishment of broadleaved species and can be applied at rates that allow tall fescue and most native warmseason grasses to recover. Halosulfuron (Sedgehammer, Manage, Prosedge, etc.) is useful for sedge control and is safe across most grass and forb species. Controlling annual broadleaf weeds within mixed grass and forb areas relies upon spot treatment for control, but low rates of Image (imazaquin) or Basagran (bentazon) are moderately tolerated by established stands of many flowering plant species.

There are two approaches one might choose to establish pollinator habitat in native and natural roughs of the southeast: 1) Pollinator refuge “islands”. These islands would intentionally be forbs rather than grasses. Start clean. Prepare a seed bed by controlling all vegetation and tilling prior to seeded establishment of a seed mixture. This will result in more uniform density.

Little bluestem, one week after burning in mid-December.

Grasses can be kept at bay using repeat applications of ACCaseinhibiting herbicides. 2) Mixtures of grasses and forbs. These mixtures mimic what naturally happens in prairie environments of the southeast. Experience suggests that starting forbs in established grass is easier than trying to establish grasses and forbs simultaneously. This is because of the need for herbicidal control of many weeds during the early establishment period. A better strategy may be to establish native/naturalized grasses in years 1 and 2 then thin grasses mechanically or chemically to interseed flowering forb species in spring of a subsequent year.

Parting Thoughts Low maintenance does not mean no maintenance. These areas require a unique skillset, trained labor, specialty equipment, and knowledge. Native and natural areas are penal. Owners, architects, and other stakeholders should be involved in course design and the development of a strategy that leads to long-term success.

That strategy should include flexibility and patience. This longterm approach can be aided through signage and written communication that educates golfers and helps our colleagues in the pro-shop. Most importantly, enjoy the process. These areas are fascinating to watch as they ebb and flow throughout the seasons. •

Citations: Richard, Michael P., Jesse I. Morrison, and James D. McCurdy.

“Effects of preemergence herbicides on establishment of little bluestem and sideoats grama golf course rough.” Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management 6, no. 1 (2020): e20051.

Spring 2021

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ARKANSAS TUR FGRASS

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