Sunday, April 28, 2013

Cold Weather = Bumpy Putting Greens

I think its safe to say that last spring's weather was preferable to most than the temperatures we've experienced so far this spring. 
Our greens are composed of two species of turfgrass.  The primary species is Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis Stolinifera).  The secondary species is Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua).  The two species concurrently occupy almost every putting green in the United States, if not the world.  During 90 percent of the golf season, the two species coexist very well.  The Annual Bluegrass grows very upright, and the Creeping Bentgrass grows laterally, which is why they compliment each other well.  Both tolerate the low mowing heights of which putting greens are maintained. 
This is the problem: 1.  Creeping Bentgrass is a perennial plant.  This means that it lives an essentially long life.  It does not die in the winter.  It can be equated to a tree or the grass in your lawn. (2) Annual Bluegrass is an annual plant, which essentially means that it lives one season, produces a seed, then dies.  It can be equated to a Marigold, or any plant in your vegetable garden.
As soil temperatures warm up in the spring, the two species resemble "the tortoise and the hare".  The Bentgrass is slow and steady, while the Poa is quicker, but erratic.  The Poa is affected much more than the Bentgrass by the cold weather once things get going.  The Bentgrass keeps growing.  The Poa shuts down.
Which, after this week has created the bumpy conditions on some of our greens. Overnight air temperatures have dipped into the 30's recently, and there was a frost on three nights last week.  We also had a frost on Friday night this week (April  26-27th).
It is hard for me as well as our members to remain patient, and let the warmer temperatures prevail.  As the nighttime temps come up, the greens surfaces will level out.
I apologize for the bumpy conditions of the putting greens, but I assure you that the conditions are very temporary, and will not persist.
Greens are also scheduled for aeration on 4/30 and 5/1.  This process will further smooth the greens as well.    

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