Breaking news...Huntingdon Valley closes...test results "inconclusive"

[Steve_ Shaffer]

18 of their 27 holes for possibly 6 weeks due to a mysterious turf disease. Joe Logan reports:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/detail.asp?id=5605&pid=20

[JESII]

It's disappointing that Joe wouldn't have spoken to Scott or the Greens Chairman prior to writing that up.

[Dan Herrmann]

I'm betting it won't be the last.  Conditions are hazardous right now in SE Pennsylvania.  HV has a great team, and they'll get their great course back up soon.

[Jeff Shelman]

Jim,

It does appear from the story that Logan did make an attempt to reach the superintendent.

[Anthony_Nysse]

It's disappointing that Joe wouldn't have spoken to Scott or the Greens Chairman prior to writing that up.

Jim,
  What gives you the impression that Joe didnt speak with Scott or the Greens Chairman?

[John Moore II]

It's disappointing that Joe wouldn't have spoken to Scott or the Greens Chairman prior to writing that up.

Jim,
  What gives you the impression that Joe didnt speak with Scott or the Greens Chairman?

From the article:  Huntingdon Valley superintendent Scott Anderson, one of the most respected turf men in the region and a proponent of using a minimum of chemicals on the course, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

[Anthony_Nysse]

It's disappointing that Joe wouldn't have spoken to Scott or the Greens Chairman prior to writing that up.

Jim,
  What gives you the impression that Joe didnt speak with Scott or the Greens Chairman?

From the article:  Huntingdon Valley superintendent Scott Anderson, one of the most respected turf men in the region and a proponent of using a minimum of chemicals on the course, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

I was confusing Jac, the Golf pro, with Joe, the writer. TIn most cases, a golf pro in more availalbe and approachable.

[Rory Connaughton]

SE PA is in the middle of the perfect storm.  Two and a half weeks of rain and incredibly high temps and humidity seems to have everyone strapping in for a potential crash landing. This is probably just the beginning.

[Mark Manuel]

We are seeing the same thing in western Ohio, not much anyone can do.

[Adam Clayman]

Wet wilt?

[Mark McKeever]

Terrible news.  Hopefully their team can get to action quickly and get things turned around.

Mark

[Rory Connaughton]

I'm not a super Adam but I think all manner of turf disease is in play in addition to the general weakening of root structures caused by the presence of moisture and heat.  Here is a link to a USGA turf section article on the issue released last week.

http://www.usga.org/course_care/regional_updates/regional_reports/midatlantic/The-Other-Shoe-Has-Dropped---July-2010/

[Dan Herrmann]

WX discussion from the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly NJ (Philly office) follows.  Note the very high overnight lows - this is a red flag warning for all golf courses in the area.

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
DURING THE PERIOD FROM FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY, THE UPPER
PATTERN IS EXPECTED TO FEATURE A RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE WESTERN
STATES AND A TROUGH AFFECTING THE GREAT LAKES AND THE NORTHEASTERN
STATES.

AT THE SURFACE, WE ARE ANTICIPATING A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH OUR
REGION ON SUNDAY.

AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT, TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY WARM
WITH OVERNIGHT LOWS MAINLY IN THE 70S. DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE
FORECAST TO BE IN THE UPPER 90S IN OUR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN COUNTIES
ON SATURDAY. WE MAY NEED A HEAT ADVISORY OR AN EXCESSIVE HEAT
WARNING FOR OUR URBANIZED AREAS AT THAT TIME. AS THE FRONT PASSES
AND AFTER IT PUSHES TO OUR SOUTH, WE SHOULD HAVE TYPICAL JULY
TEMPERATURES FOR SUNDAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY. THE HUMIDITY IS
EXPECTED TO DROP FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO
OUR REGION FROM THE WEST.

---------------------------
From the USGA webpage that Rory referenced:
The next month will be difficult as turfgrass roots have been compromised.  Disease pressure is extremely high.  The goal is to keep the grass as healthy as possible even if some level of playability must be sacrificed.  Pushing for green speed under current weather conditions may lead to rapid grass decline.  Some golfers may be upset that the greens are a little slow, but all golfers will be upset if they are a little dead.  Superintendents must make good decisions, and golfers need to respect them.

[Michael Barnett]

This issue has gotten really pervasive throughout the NYC metro area over the last few weeks.  High humidity and high overnight lows are really stressing most greens.  There isn't much that can be done, although it appears that the weather will break next week giving the teams a chance to get things turned around.

[BCrosby]

The NE is getting summer weather that is typical for the SE. With all the problems that brings to bent grass.

Welcome to our world.

Bob in Atlanta

[Dan Herrmann]

So - should we reseed to Bermuda?

[David Amarnek]

Sorrry to hear about the conditions in Philly and the rest of the NE.
St. Louis has got to be one of the most difficult regions to grow grass; very high temps/humidity in the summer and rather cold winters.  My own course, Westwood, is one of the few remaining clubs with Bermuda fairways (Westwood Bermuda, to be exact).  Our greens are Bent, as are the aprons surrounding many of the greens and they are in spectacular shape.   Our fairways have been another story, although we have an outstanding Super that's been managing quite well, considering.  We had the St. Louis District Championship last weekend and the course was in great shape (thank goodness for lots of sod!).
Most courses in the area have converted to Zoysia from Bermuda at one time or another, with rather mixed results.
We are experimenting with Riviera Bermuda (Oklahoma State U.) with the hope that it will be used with the Westwood Bermuda and give us a more consistent coverage.  During the Spring, we rely on overseeding with Rye to fill in the multiple open patches on the fairways and that tends to disappear with the heat of the summer.
I've been to Philly twice this summer to play (great conditions) and will be there again next month...
hopefully Mother Nature will begin to cooperate.  Best of luck to all out there!

[BCrosby]

So - should we reseed to Bermuda?

Things can't be that bad, can they? 

[Dan Herrmann]

I was being facetious

[Adam Clayman]

Rory, Thanx for that.

I asked about wet wilt because my friend in Chicago had it happen to them at Glencoe. Their very experienced super had never seen it before, either.

Since HV has the deep roots that come from Scott's practices, it's especially a shame because as I understand wet wilt, the roots recede back up towards the surface.

The only solution they were contemplating in Glencoe, was to lower the pond levels. But with all the rain, that could ba hard to do too.

I'm confident it will all work out. Just need to dry out.

[Rory Connaughton]

Adam:

  Just for clarification, I do not know what the specific issue is at HV only that in the region wet wilt and other diseases are all in play at the moment.  We need some cool nights and an end to the heavy heavy rains.

[Adam Clayman]

Rory, Neither am I saying that is what it is. However, most of these diseases and fungi are treatable without closing the course, aren't they?

It seems like a prudent course of action to close the course if the root structure is compromised. Which it is with wet wilt. (at least that's my impression)

BTW, Expect a Mayday, soon. 

[Rory Connaughton]

Adam  I think that you are correct on treatment.  It seems like walking a tightrope though.  The course is ok to remain open under these stresses until suddenly it isn't.  Seems like turf can hang on life support for a long time and then poof . . .

[Bruce Hospes]

I think wet wilt is going to be more of an issue with greens built on native soils instead of a sand based usga green.  With a USGA green, the option is always there to add water to a soggy green and allow it to flush the excess moisture out of the root zone.  I think that would be difficult to do on a soil green. 
I feel for the guys dealing with this issue and hope that the anticipated cold front arrives in time to help them out.  I don't think we will get anything like that anytime soon here in Alabama.  It's currently 96 degrees and 66% humidity.

[Jim Sweeney]

At my club in Cinci we have been prepping the membership for several weeks about the potential for tough conditions. An agressive info campaign is a must. It won't stop all of the tongue wagging but it sure helps.

Unfortunately, things weather wise aren't going to get any better here for at least a week so we're holding on by our fingertips- or at least it feels that way.