DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

BY LOU SILVEIRA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

As we move into the heart of summer, the August heat brings both challenges and opportunities for our golf community. The "dog days" are upon us, with longer days, warmer temperatures, and the sun shining brightly. Here's what to expect at Woodbridge during this time and some tips to help you make the most of the season until cooler fall weather arrives.

Course Conditions & Maintenance

Our groundskeeping team is working diligently to ensure the course remains in excellent condition despite the heat. You may notice some areas receiving extra watering, as we take special care to keep the greens and fairways lush and healthy. Please be mindful of any temporary course modifications, such as roped-off areas or adjusted mowing schedules, which are in place to protect the turf during these hotter days.

Challenges with Poa Annua & Cool-Season Turf

The hot summer months can be particularly challenging for our course's cool-season turf, especially Poa annua. As a cool-season grass, Poa annua is more sensitive to high temperatures and can become stressed or even go dormant during the peak of summer. This can lead to:

1. Thinning Turf: High temperatures and humidity can cause Poa annua to thin out, making the greens less uniform and potentially impacting play.

2. Increased Maintenance: Our groundskeeping team is implementing measures to mitigate heat stress, including increased watering and careful monitoring of soil moisture levels. This proactive approach helps maintain the health of the turf, but it requires significant effort and resources.

3. Disease Management: Warm, humid conditions can create a favorable environment for fungal diseases that affect Poa annua. We are vigilant in our disease management practices, using targeted treatments to protect the turf.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time as we work to keep the course in top shape. The health of our turf is a priority, and our team is dedicated to overcoming these seasonal challenges.

The Feverish Growth of Warm-Season Bermuda Grass

While the heat poses challenges for cool-season grasses, it also brings an opportunity for our warm-season Bermuda grass to thrive. Bermuda grass is well-suited to hot, sunny conditions, and during the summer, it can experience a period of rapid growth. Here's what to expect:

1. Vibrant Growth: The warm temperatures and longer daylight hours promote vigorous growth in Bermuda grass. This results in lush, dense fairways, enhancing the overall playing experience.

2. Frequent Mowing: To maintain the ideal playing conditions, our greens and grounds crew will be mowing more frequently. This helps manage the rapid growth and keeps the grass at a playable height. You'll notice more clippings as well and we are working as quickly as we can to eliminate unsightly build-up in those areas.

3. Improved Recovery: The resilience of Bermuda grass means it recovers quickly from wear and tear, such as divots or high traffic areas. This makes it an ideal choice for our summer season, ensuring the course remains in top condition for all members to enjoy.

52 Days Until Fall and Counting!