Bob,

I'm far from an expert on bugs but this sounds similar to the cicadas that occur in the mid Atlantic region. They hatch once every 17 years, do damage, have sex once, lay eggs to be hatched in 17 years, and die.

A nematode is an unsegmented, microcsopic worm. Many have stylets which pierce plant parts in order to feed. Some are “ectoparasites” living outside of the plant. Others are “endoparasites” living inside the plant.
 
“Anguina pacificae” is an endoparasitic gall nema affecting "poa annua" found from San Francisco to Monterey, usually within 10 miles of the coast. Recently it has been identified locally outside the area. The nema lives in a “bulb” at the crown of the plant. Anguina spends it’s entire life inside the plant and only leave for hours at a time to find a new host. (This fact alone makes it very difficult to eradicate)

The gall as well as their feeding disrupt plant processes. Infected plants yellow, decline, die and leave bare spots in greens called “pitting”. The damage is most severe during colder months when recovery, new growth or germination is at a minimum.

Because of the disruption caused by the gall, plants do not respond well to soil applied fertilizer and instead must be foliar fed.

The chemical control is Nemacur. This nematicide is is one of the most toxic chemicals used in golf course management (toxicity doesn't mean it can't be used safely). It is relatively effective for a period of time. Users report eventual reduced effectiveness and shortened intervals of application. This is a temporary tool, as it will be taken off the market in a few years. Besides toxicity, another downside of using Nemacur is that if kills beneficial organisms in the soil.

Bentgrass is not affected by anguina.

Bob, do you think those trees were in the 18th fairway when the course opened in 1929?  Or did some errant seeds become pioneers and take root out there?  It would be difficult to imagine Dr. MacKenzie designing a hole that included a bunch of trees in the fairway!

Sounds like a great tee shot.  I'm 0-2 on that one.  

Bob, what about the trees (f'ing or otherwise) in the fairway in 1929?  Not that you were there but maybe there are photos of opening day............

Took a quick look on the pictures in Shackelford's book on CPC.
It doesn't look like the fairway is surrounded by the same amount of trees as it is today.

The effing tree that messed up Mr Huntleys shot on the 18th is clearly displayed on the photos though.

Is that a chainsaw?  A Rhodesian nematode can create havoc with Cypress trees, as well.

Thanks for the picture, Carlyle.

I can't believe how big the flagsticks are.  How much does one of those things weigh?  I imagine you have to set them down on the green rather gently to avoid damaging, or even recontouring the greens.

I've never been to Cypress, but could that be an American Flag pole at the clubhouse or at someone's home?

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Long Cove Club
HHI, SC

That is a flagpole.

I'm assuming the trees were airbrushed out, correct?

Something I heard, you all can correct me if I'm wrong...

Grass grows based on light, while nematodes are active based on heat. So when it's sunny and cold, the grass has a chance to recover. But when it's warm and cloudy, the grass really struggles. I guess one question though is, since nematodes are underground, how much does soil temperature really vary - especially in a climate like SF and the California coast?

Yes that would be an American flag.  You'll notice the pin is on the right.  The original American flag was obscurred by the trees that are now cut down.

C

P.S. I actually scaled down the arms and chainsaw from a movie cover of the "Texas Chainsaw Murder" to lend authenticity.

Bob,

Everything you ever wanted to know about nematodes,
courtesy of the University of Nebraska Nematology Lab (of course   ) ...

http://nematode.unl.edu/

" If all the matter in the universe except the nematodes
were swept away, our world would still be dimly recognizable..."
-N.A. Cobb, 1914

Best,