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.