Water Conservation Efforts

As everyone knows we are in the middle of an extreme drought and some very high temperatures. During this period we can experience significant turf loss unless we institute certain maintenance practices to minimize any damage. Currently we are not doing anything to the turf that might cause mechanical damage. We also are changing some of our mowing/maintenance practices. Mowing heights are being raised and we are switching to solid rollers on our walking greensmowers to make sure that no damage is being done to the plant. Also, the more leaf tissue there is means better nutrient uptake and better cooling for the plant. These changes will result in slightly slower putting speeds during this heat and drought period. Once we receive some precipitation and some cooler weather we will return to our normal practices.

I have often said that water is our most important natural resource and we all need to do our part to manage our water needs at work and at home. The golf courses are extremely important assets of the Club and the bentgrass turf must be watered on a regular basis to stay alive. However, some of the areas on the courses are well out of the line of play and we feel it is prudent during this drought to let some of them go dormant. These rough areas are all Kentucky bluegrass, a plant with a very unique survival mode. Unlike bentgrass, bluegrass has the ability to go dormant during a drought and still survive. However the one thing that can damage bluegrass during its dormant stage is cart traffic.

So until we receive some precipitation please be very conscience of where you drive your cart. Please keep it in the green turf or on the cart paths . Please do not drive on the dormant turf , significant damage can occur if this request is not followed.
Respectfully,

Rick Tegtmeier, CGCS
Director of Grounds