Above, you can see how sand can be very abrasive this time of year. The tire tracks are caused by sand sticking to the tires of the triplex and then damaging the turf when the operator turned the machine to make another pass. This isn't a big deal because once we get consistently warm weather, active growth resumes and the turf can keep up with the damage. This time of year can be very frustrating. Golfers think it is really warm but when you look at Growing Degree Days, as I presented in a blog post yesterday, you can see the turf really isn't very active just yet. A day with a high of 75 and low of 39 is only 7 GDD. The ideal day is double that, at least 15 GDD. It boils down to night temperatures and any temperature in the 55-60* range is ideal for Creeping bentgrass growth (The A and G series of bentgrass are notorious for requiring more heat for active growth. In my experience, Penn A1 is 2 weeks behind Penn A4 under the same conditions, and Penn A4 is 2 weeks behind Penncross. Remember, A4 was selected in the heat of Augusta, Georgia). Less than 50*, growth stops, regardless of the daily high temperature. A day with a high temp of 78 and low of 58 is 18 GDD. Now, we are talking grass growing temperatures. You can see how much difference the 19* night temperature increase can make.
Here is an example...notice how much denser the turf is by the cart path?! Why? The path keeps the soil temperature warmer in the area, allowing the turf to grow. Until mother nature does this for us everywhere, its a simple waiting game.
All that said, we are ready for a great show of color behind the 16th green! (below)
Below, I ran into Chef Mark of all people today. Its always nice catching up with old staff. Mark served as HCC chef when I first came to Highlands CC in 2000.
