MCC Membership,
I wanted give everyone an update and answer some questions concerning the stripes of thin turf we have on our greens.
To begin with I want to assure everyone that the stripes are improving not getting worse. The plants are growing nicely and filling in; they are catching up with the rest of the green.
It will take a little time, especially with the cool temperatures in the forecast, but they are improving daily.
We are topdressing every week, as usual, but adding a little more sand to maintain a quality putting surface.
The cause of the stripes has been a subject I have researched over the last couple of weeks and think we may have it figured out.
I have been consulting with many other agronomists, both local and national, including Champion Turf and Dow Chemical. We have come to the conclusion that our Pre-emerge application last fall coupled with the Severe Cold temperatures this winter, had knocked the root systems back in these areas during the first bit of green up, in mid Feb. or early March. There was no further damage to the roots and again, all the plants are growing nicely.
The effort to catch these areas up to the rest of the green has been ongoing and will continue. The cultural practices being applied include fertility, organic Humus, small tine aerification, and topdressing.
The biggest factor is the weather. The last couple of days have been nice, but the night time lows have remained cool, just last week we had lows of 34 and 37. Next week there are forecasted lows in the mid 40’s.
Again, we will maintain high quality playability with our mowing, rolling, and topdressing programs.
Thank you,
Jason Baker
Golf Course Superintendent
