Heat Stress

The stress from the recent heat and wind are beginning to take their toll on the golf course. Although we have been working very hard to improve our irrigation uniformity, inefficiencies are easy to spot when the system is put to the test. While I do believe that we have improved how well we are able to water, we still operate at about only 80%. The greens are doing well, with only minor stress showing in a few locations.


Drought stress #14 green

Fairway aerification and seeding was wrapped up today, and we continue to water nightly to help germination and keep the new seedlings from going into drought stress. The poa obviously struggles the most in high temperatures. With a root system of only about 1/2 inch, poa quickly dies without repeated light watering.

Damaged poa due to drought stress

Hopefully, such extreme weather is only an isolated event and not an indicator of a tough summer ahead.