Update for December 6

Lighting up lasers on 15 fairway!

I had to start with a fun picture because I move on to the not fun topic of frost and cold.

WOW, IT'S COLD!

We're expecting some very cold temperatures overnight this week and I wanted to take the time to insert an excerpt on frost and why it's so important to stay off frost covered turf.  Yes, it's frustrating to show up early and hear the infamous "frost delay" radio communication, but it's equally frustrating for us on the turf management side because we want to be out of the way and let you enjoy your round without being asked for the ump-teenth time, "When do you think we can go?"  All joking aside, I want you to understand that we do everything that we can to help you get on the golf course as early as possible.  On the positive side, it will definitely be warmer when you do get out there than it was during the frost delay!

• How can a footprint be a killer?
  
  When it's a footprint made on a grass surface that's covered with frost. It's hard to believe that simply walking across a golf green covered with frost can cause so much damage, but the proof will be there in a few days as the turfgrass dies and leaves a trail of brown footprints. That's why most courses will delay starting times until the frost has melted.
• Why does frost cause problems?
  
  Greens are fragile. The putting surface, or green, is an extremely fragile environment that must be managed carefully and professionally. Remember that every green is a collection of millions of individual grass plants, each of which is a delicate living thing. Obviously, Mother Nature never meant for these plants to be maintained at 3/16 or even 1/8 of an inch for prolonged periods. This stress makes greens constantly vulnerable to attacks from insects, disease, heat, drought, cold -- and frost.
  
  
  Frost is essentially frozen dew. It can form when the temperature (or wind chill) is near or below the freezing point. The ice crystals that form on the outside of the plant can also harden or even freeze the cell structure of the plant. When frosted, the normally resilient plant cells become brittle and are easily crushed. When the cell membranes are damaged, the plant loses its ability to function normally. It's not much different than cracking an egg. Once the shell is broken, you can't put it back together.
  
  
  
• The proof is in the prints
  
  
  Although you won't see any immediate damage if you walk on frosted turf, the proof will emerge within 48 to 72 hours as the leaves die and turn brown. And, since just one foursome can leave several hundred footprints on each green, the damage can be very extensive.
  
  The damage isn't just unsightly -- putting quality will also be reduced until repairs are made. Those repairs are expensive and, in some cases, the green may have to be kept out of play for days or weeks until the new turfgrass is established. A short delay while the frost melts can preserve the quality of the greens, prevent needless repairs and may even save you a few strokes the next time you play.



#5 Fairway

Outside of the impressive frost delays, the golf course is looking great!  The overseed is really striping up beautifully and the greens are rolling well.  We have been working on getting the new pine straw into the beds throughout the golf course as well as sweeping up more straw as it falls to the ground.



We have a few herbicide sprays to finish up in the next week as the winds die back down to catch some Poa annua that has shown up and winter weeds in the roughs and greens surrounds.

I'm hoping that we will be able to do a micro solid tine aeration to the greens this winter a few times.  I have seen a little algae in some of the lower spots and have adjusted the water accordingly, but the roots still need to breathe.  The micro tines will allow the gas exchange to occur without disrupting ball roll in the least bit.