During this extended period of heat and drought our turf is suffering a bit. Even warm season turf like our Bermuda fairways can be effect by severe heat. After extended period of
heat the turf firs slows down growing and then begins to go dormant. Because dry turf surfers quicker than moist turf we water every night.
In fact for the last couple of weeks I have run every head on the course, every night, for the maximum time. Our irrigation has never been very good. The biggest problem is its spacing and layout. We have very very little irrigation in any roughs on the course. So, although we still have plenty of water and I am using our system to it's maximum potential we are still falling behind. We are running water on hot spots through out the morning and occasionally in the after noon when absolutely necessary. (Running water in the105 degree heat is not real effective or efficient) We are doing everything possible, including spraying a Wetting Agent on the fairways(a chemical that helps the soil maintain moisture longer.) This is not cheap but after last year I invested in the chemical just incase. Good thing.
As of now we have plenty of water, which has allowed me to not yet cut back on the watering. I have been running our transfer pump from 13 for several weeks now to stay ahead. SO FAR we have been able too. Although evaporation is so rapid, we are losing water everyday.
So, even with running all the water we are running, much of our turf is still suffering, if this continues we will have to Go Cart Path Only to help save our fairways. I hope the wetting Agent and our watering practices prolong that decision but I'm afraid it is inevitable, if the forecast holds. I will keep you posted.
Our transfer pump pumping water into th pond on two!
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