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Steve_ Shaffer

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More on Heat, Humidity and Stress- Is the worst over?
« on: August 11, 2010, 06:44:34 AM »
Joe Logan gives an update on local conditions here on the East Coast post the closure of 18 of the 27 holes at Huntington Valley and brief closure of the Old Course at Lancaster CC:


http://www.myphillygolf.com/detail.asp?id=5905
« Last Edit: August 26, 2010, 01:36:32 PM by Steve_ Shaffer »
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Rory Connaughton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2010, 10:04:48 AM »
Thanks for posting Steve.  I am very happy that we took the action that we did when we did. Giving the course a breather from play allowed our superintendent to focus solely on defensive maintenance and the improvement shows.  I don't think the threat presented by these weather conditions is over (a trip to Georgia organized by a friend has been canceled because the course will be closed into November) but I am hopeful that our decision to take play off for one week on the back and two weeks on the front will enable the course to recover for a strong fall.  I think that Joe Logan did clubs and supers in SE PA a real service by being the first to follow this story in that his original piece made it very easy to get members to understand that the supers and green committees are not simply crying wolf with respect to weather conditions and defensive maintenance practices.

 

Sean Remington (SBR)

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Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2010, 02:54:39 PM »
I agree that Joe has done a very nice job or getting the word out and keeping the story on point.  I just got the following email from the PAGCS.  A local Superintendent has put together a morning "seminar" to help get the wod out.  See below:

You are encouraged to attend a USGA Informational Session on August 23--"Summary of the summer and how we recover". This will be geared toward superintendents, general managers and key facility officials. Topics will cover cultural practices, seeding, fertilization and other practices needed for our recovery efforts. Session will be presented by Darin Bevard [additional speakers include Steve McDonald of Turfgrass Disease Solutions] with open floor for Q&A following presentations. In the midst of the worst weather in the Mid-Atlantic region in 10 years speakers, discussion will focus on how we can move forward and make our recoveries. This is a do-not-miss for all of us.

This session is FREE OF CHARGE and no reservation is necessary, but please RSVP if you can: phillyagcs@comcast.net
General Managers will be receiving an invitation through the Philadelphia chapter of the CMAA.

Location: Hartefeld National [click here for directions]
Time: 8 - 10 a.m. [Continental Breakfast included]


PAGCS
www.pagcs.org

Carl Rogers

Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2010, 04:37:04 PM »
It seems to me that the vast vast majority of courses would do well in this heat to shut down at least one day a week.

Richard Hetzel

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2010, 08:34:45 PM »
I played Wanango CC in PA this morning, and they are losing their fairways, but still open for business.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2010, 09:05:07 PM by Richard Hetzel »
Best Played So Far This Season:
Crystal Downs CC (MI), The Bridge (NY), Canterbury GC (OH), Lakota Links (CO), Montauk Downs (NY), Sedge Valley (WI)

Dan Herrmann

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Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2010, 08:39:27 PM »
Not just here...  I was speaking to the asst. pro at The Orchards and he told me their green soil temperature was up around 130F during much of the summer.  Fortunately, the greens were in fantastic shape, but I think the entire CT/MA area is also quite stressed (for example, I saw a signs of stress at Wintonbury Hills, but they were certainly keeping the upper hand).

Tommy Williamsen

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Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2010, 11:45:04 AM »
I would hate to have my courses close, but really think that they should shut down for a couple of weeks.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Steve Lang

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Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2010, 12:19:30 PM »
Not just here...  I was speaking to the asst. pro at The Orchards and he told me their green soil temperature was up around 130F during much of the summer.  Fortunately, the greens were in fantastic shape, but I think the entire CT/MA area is also quite stressed (for example, I saw a signs of stress at Wintonbury Hills, but they were certainly keeping the upper hand).

130 F ??  that's very hard to believe unless the thermometer was acting as a solar collector
Inverness (Toledo, OH) cathedral clock inscription: "God measures men by what they are. Not what they in wealth possess.  That vibrant message chimes afar.
The voice of Inverness"

Ian Larson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2010, 01:07:38 PM »
Not just here...  I was speaking to the asst. pro at The Orchards and he told me their green soil temperature was up around 130F during much of the summer.  Fortunately, the greens were in fantastic shape, but I think the entire CT/MA area is also quite stressed (for example, I saw a signs of stress at Wintonbury Hills, but they were certainly keeping the upper hand).

130 F ??  that's very hard to believe unless the thermometer was acting as a solar collector


When the heat index is already approaching 100 degrees, a watterloged soil green could definetely get this hot in the soil. A classic example of why dry is good and how waterlogged soil can literally cook the roots.

Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2010, 03:21:44 PM »
Here's a note that a local super sent to his members (it demonstrates the severity of the issue).  I've redacted the club name (it's not my club!).  I think he did a great job of communication....


     We are currently experiencing our 7th heat wave of the summer and I would like to take a moment to update the membership on the conditions of the golf course.

      As I mentioned in the last update, the problems we are facing are a result of not only the extreme heat, but the extreme humidity.  The root system within the greens has been severely compromised due to the weather extremes we have experienced this summer.  This has left us with a situation where the turf has a difficult time taking in water and nutrients to allow normal respiration and growth to occur.  At this point we need to treat all greens as “critical care patients” and nurse them through the remainder of the summer.  This means providing only light, frequent amounts of water to help cool the turf since the root system cannot take in water to allow for normal respiration which helps the turf survive during this heat and humidity.  Too much water will remove all oxygen from the root zone and death will most certainly occur.  We will also raise mowing heights more and reduce the frequency we mow.  Any stress that we can reduce will help manage the turf we have on the greens.

     This means we cannot commence any type of recovery effort until the weather breaks and soil and air temperatures allow the turf to begin to function properly.  Currently we are spiking the greens weekly and applying light applications of topdressing.  This practice not only encourages oxygen in the root zone but prevents the greens surface from “sealing off”.  The topdressing applications are being completed to prevent those thin and bare areas on the greens from drying and forming a crust which prohibits water from penetrating the soil profile.  Although topdressing can be an aggressive practice, light applications that we do not have to work into the turf canopy are important to allow some minimal recovery in those weak areas.  Our plan of attack is to manage the turf that we have until we can begin to employ more aggressive measures to encourage recovery.  Our first step will be our greens aerification on Sept. **th & **th.  Hopefully, the weather will be conducive for this to occur and after this cultural practice is completed we will begin to introduce seed and also sod areas on greens that are the most damaged.

     A note about the damage we have sustained on the fairways.  Most of this damage is a result of the fairway turf becoming “puffy” for the lack of a better word.  Humidity along with high amounts of thatch has caused mechanical damage from mowing.  As a result, many areas, especially on one of our wettest fairways, #**, have resulted in mechanical damage.  I am confident this turf will recover as temperatures and humidity lower.

     Please keep in mind that the recovery of all greens, tees, and fairways will be slow.  Most of this damage did not occur quickly and the recovery will be a slow process as well.

     We are currently employing all means to nurse the damage turf through this difficult stretch while planning our efforts for recovery when the weather allows.

Thank for your patience and understanding through this difficult time.

Michael Blake

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2010, 03:42:34 PM »
My home course/local muni, http://www.jeffersonvillegolfclub.org/ has been in perfect condition all summer.
I don't know how they do it, but hats off to Rich and his crew.

Ian Larson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2010, 04:11:30 PM »
My home course/local muni, http://www.jeffersonvillegolfclub.org/ has been in perfect condition all summer.
I don't know how they do it, but hats off to Rich and his crew.


It would be interesting to see if there is any relationship between the munis and publics that got through just fine and the summer weather compared to the privates.

Expectations are less and therefore something like a higher height of cut throughout the entire season is what truly sets these courses up for success in the extreme summers. Higher HOC when it really matters in the Fall, winter and Spring is the key to making sure the carbohydrate bucket is full for the summertime decline.

That's why IMO I think raising the HOC in the summertime after decline has started and death has occurred is not effective. The plants already dormant, carb usage will always exceed carb production no matter what the HOC is raised to. Clubs typically keep HOC low in the Fall, Winter and Spring then when a problem arises in the summer the HOC is raised. Fall, Winter and Spring is exactly when HOC should be higher to maximize carb production and storage for use in the summer, when the HOC can be lowered due to carb usage exceeding production. When greens are on life support like the ones referred to in the letter above...the carb bucket ran out of food too early.

Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2010, 05:50:06 PM »
As a 100% amateur in this field , I think that our course is in good shape due to:
Hand-syringing greens when needed
Frequent checking of green soil temperature and moisture content
Aggressive springtime aerification (12" deep tines) and hand-brushed-in soil ammendments
Light topdressing when permitted by weather conditions.
Aggressive springtime fairway aeration
A ton of TLC (which I'd bet that 98% of supers have for their course)
A ton of experience
Setting member expectations (you can't have really firm greens in this weather without risk)


Kyle Harris

Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2010, 05:58:56 PM »
Not just here...  I was speaking to the asst. pro at The Orchards and he told me their green soil temperature was up around 130F during much of the summer.  Fortunately, the greens were in fantastic shape, but I think the entire CT/MA area is also quite stressed (for example, I saw a signs of stress at Wintonbury Hills, but they were certainly keeping the upper hand).

130 F ??  that's very hard to believe unless the thermometer was acting as a solar collector

No, that's pretty spot on really.

Been seeing it with my own eyes for the past few weeks.

Kyle Harris

Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2010, 06:01:57 PM »
My home course/local muni, http://www.jeffersonvillegolfclub.org/ has been in perfect condition all summer.
I don't know how they do it, but hats off to Rich and his crew.

What's the Height of Cut for fairways and greens?
Have you been there every day?

Jeffersonville can keep the greens a little slower and still be fun since some of those greens are quite contoured.

Michael Blake

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #15 on: August 13, 2010, 10:38:01 AM »
Kyle,

I have not been there everyday-maybe an average of once every 10 days since June.
And I don't know their HOC.  I'll try to inquire as to what they are doing there.

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #16 on: August 13, 2010, 10:43:13 AM »
My course is in reasonable shape, except for some high spots on the fairways and some greens in the woods.  Our super said that some of the high spots did not have as much soil underneath the grass and was more susceptible to browning out and dying than other parts of the course.  Yesterday we had 2.5 inches of rain and the course is closed.  I am curious to see if it will help or hurt.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2010, 05:39:26 PM »
I showed up at my club to play this morning and was amazed at how busy it was.  Our weekend visitor times start at 10AM and it looked like a Monday outing scramble in the parking lot and on the practice tee.

Why?  We had a bunch of guests from other regional clubs who were having "challenges" with weather damage.  I'll obviously not name the courses, as we were very happy to have them visit -  but it does show just how bad things are in Philly.

Fortunately, the crazy hot days seem to be over and perhaps the first soaking rain since July 10 is on the way tomorrow.

-------
PS - I've never seen so much bermuda grass in some of the rough areas of my course.  The usually-seen fescues and bluegrass are so stressed that the bermuda has popped up.  Made me think I was playing down south.  And it's true - bermuda is a pain from which to hit a short wedge shot!
« Last Edit: August 21, 2010, 05:43:25 PM by Dan Herrmann »

Bill_McBride

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Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #18 on: August 21, 2010, 11:43:44 PM »
"More on Heat, Humidity and Stress"

Steve, I thought you were talking about the 27 holes eight of us played in Greenville AL today at the RTJ Golf Trail course there.

Up at 5:30, meet in Pensacola at 6:30, drive up in two SUVs, tee off at 9:30, finish at 7 p.m. with a 2-hour heavy rain and lightning delay.

95o, 75% humidity, very tough course with Sunday pins.

Heat, humidity and stress.  I'm finally home, finishing a second scotch, into the shower and off to bed.   ::)

TEPaul

Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2010, 09:12:53 AM »
We (GMGC) came through this summer from Hell's heat and humidity real good. Our guy was out there night and day from before that infamous day around here (July 11) watching it like a hawk.

And he pulled the green mow height from .0090 up to .0120 or .0125. Fairways too. With some heat and humidity break he's been taking it back down gradually in .005 increments. I think we are at .010 now and probably going down again next week. Weather permitting we might be back at .0090 in September.

And it's funny how rumors fly around. A couple of weeks ago I was officiating the PA State Open at Applebrook for three days. I'd say ten competitors came up to me and told me they'd heard GMGC was closed due to turf loss. I hadn't been there in a while so I called Bob, the super. He said: "Yeah, I closed it for a day or so just to give the course a rest, but the turf is just fine."  ;)

Now, if you want to ask me if Bob and his crew are fine, that's another matter. He's totally stressed and so are they from overwork. I told him if he wanted to do it I'd take them all as far up into Canada as it took to find some really cool weather with about a case of bourbon and stuff (wine for me! ;) ) and we could all just sit back and CHILL OUT! I think he said he would consider it provided I had a real fast jet plane!
« Last Edit: August 22, 2010, 09:25:03 AM by TEPaul »

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #20 on: August 26, 2010, 01:36:06 PM »
Update from USGA - "THe Worst is over"


http://www.myphillygolf.com/detail.asp?id=6144
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Jim_Coleman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress- Is the worst over?
« Reply #21 on: August 26, 2010, 09:26:46 PM »
    Did they ever figure out what went wrong at HVCC so that it was so much worse than others in the area? 

Randy Thompson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: More on Heat, Humidity and Stress
« Reply #22 on: August 27, 2010, 03:03:38 AM »
My home course/local muni, http://www.jeffersonvillegolfclub.org/ has been in perfect condition all summer.
I don't know how they do it, but hats off to Rich and his crew.


It would be interesting to see if there is any relationship between the munis and publics that got through just fine and the summer weather compared to the privates.

Expectations are less and therefore something like a higher height of cut throughout the entire season is what truly sets these courses up for success in the extreme summers. Higher HOC when it really matters in the Fall, winter and Spring is the key to making sure the carbohydrate bucket is full for the summertime decline.

That's why IMO I think raising the HOC in the summertime after decline has started and death has occurred is not effective. The plants already dormant, carb usage will always exceed carb production no matter what the HOC is raised to. Clubs typically keep HOC low in the Fall, Winter and Spring then when a problem arises in the summer the HOC is raised. Fall, Winter and Spring is exactly when HOC should be higher to maximize carb production and storage for use in the summer, when the HOC can be lowered due to carb usage exceeding production. When greens are on life support like the ones referred to in the letter above...the carb bucket ran out of food too early.
Bingo..Ian steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park!

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