This spring I've been asked once or twice about the two types of grasses on the golf greens. The answers is, Creeping Bentgrass and Poa annua. About two weeks ago, the weather was near perfect and the greens were well on their way to being completely healed and, in summer-like condition. Then, the cold weather returned with frosty mornings and high temperatures that don't get above 55*F. When that happened, the bentgrass all but shut down again and hasn't been growing. In areas, it even discolored it, resulting in the distinct color difference between the two grasses. While they aren't very attractive to look at now, know that they are very healthy and once the consistent warm weather returns like we had in early April, the greens will quickly change to a uniform appearance. In the meantime, if you want to appreciate pure bentgrass greens, visit the practice facility and our three Pure Distinction variety bentgrass putting and chipping greens. With more tools on the market now to manage Poa annua compared to 25 years ago, it's now possible to keep it at bay on Bentgrass putting greens. Personally, I have an affinity for Poa annua, but it does come with it's challenges at certain times of year.
On the 1st hole, I always appreciate the view looking back towards the tee this time of year because of the beautiful flowering dogwoods behind the tee box. I've been asked by many why we don't remove the two trees and start over in those beds. In the summer, the Dogwoods don't look nearly as good as they do now. So the answer to that question is because they are so spectacular this time of year! These two dogwoods (along with one or two others on the campus), for whatever reason, resisted the blight that nearly knocked out every single flowering dogwood on the mountain. The Kousa Dogwood became its replacement tree of choice, but it doesn't flower until June.