Grounds

It’s all about the weather indeed! In the May edition, I wrote about the unseasonably cold spring and the effects on turf green-up and recovery from aeration. On April 29, we had a low temperature of 31 degrees at Five Farms that broke a 148-year-old record low of 33 degrees. All the bermudagrass tees regrassed last summer and previous years have broken dormancy and fared relatively well through the winter months. We have witnessed a small amount of injury and delayed green-up on portions of the Driving Range field. The areas appear to be limited to low-lying areas which remained wet during several freeze/thaw cycles during the cold weather months. As the weather warms, it will be more apparent what we are facing as our Team will evaluate the extent of the damage and take the necessary corrective action. One of the challenges we face on the bentgrass fairways has been the emergence of perennial ryegrass clumps as pictured on the left. The fairways at BCC have always been predominately perennial ryegrass and were over-seeded in the fall with perennial rye seed. Unfortunately, the seed that didn’t germinate can remain viable in the soil for up to 20 years, which is what we see on both the East and West fairways. Materials to remove the ryegrass safely from bentgrass are not available or approved for use. So, what did we do? Last fall, we started experimenting on a couple of fairway areas with a material labeled for removing ryegrass from bermudagrass and fine fescue turf. The results were promising, and adverse effects on the bentgrass were minimal—which showed complete elimination of the ryegrass (pictured below). We are expanding the plots to an area at the beginning of #11 West fairway with the goal of developing a plan of action in the future. We think now is the best time to weaken and eliminate the ryegrass since the bentgrass is actively growing and can fill in the voids left by the dead ryegrass clumps. Keep an eye on this fairway, as it will be interesting to see how this work develops. Another continuous challenge has been the poa annua, or annual bluegrass, which continues to encroach on the fairways. I will address this and the programs that have been implemented in next month’s Lifestyle. Our Team sods high traffic areas along ends of cart paths and other areas every winter. On the bridge by the West Course on the left of #12, we are trying a product that is being sold as a solution to eliminate wear at the beginning and end of paths. We sodded the area with turf type tall fescue and installed the rubber mat (pictured below) over the sod. Within eight weeks, the grass will grow through the mat, and the crowns of the turf will be protected from injury. Only time will tell, and it will be interesting to see the results of this as a solution to a problem we face on an annual basis.

This year promises to be a busy year for our Events Team utilizing the outdoor areas at Roland Park. We sodded this outdoor space this winter, and Roland Park Horticulturist Laura Michel has done a wonderful job making it come to life this spring. Additionally, we would like to recognize Laura, as she is the longest-tenured staff member at BCC, as she recently celebrated 42 years at the Club. We look forward to seeing you around the Club. ◆

The Roland Park North Lawn—May 2022

Tim Kennelly, CGCS Head Greenkeeper