Winter Damage to Turf in South East Michigan
There have been many reports and news stories about the
severity of the winter Michigan residents lived through in 2013/14. It has been labeled the “worst winter in
modern times”. Record totals for snow
fall as well as sub freezing temperatures were amongst many records that are
close to being broken. Temperatures
ranged an average of 6-10F colder for the most of this winter.
As many area golf courses and their superintendent’s look
to open up the doors to the 2014 season, there are still many hurdles in their
way. Snow banks are apparent on north
facing slopes and in shaded areas by trees.
The deep frost layer is still trying to make its way out of the ground
providing moist soft conditions. The
playing surfaces have a very inconsistent look from tan to lush green.
On April 1st, Forest Lake sent 5 representatives
to an educational session at Oakland Hills C.C. regarding winter damage. This event was attended by over 200 people from
club board of directors, greens committees, superintendents and golf industry
representatives. The panel of speakers
consisted of Dr. Jeffrey Andresen (climate specialist) MSU, Dr. Kevin Frank
(Turf grass specialist) MSU, Dr. Trey Rogers (Turf grass professor) MSU, Robert
Vavrek (Agronomist) USGA, and Steve Cook CGCS (Director of Agronomy) Oakland
Hills C.C. All of the attendants shared 1 thing in common, their concerns of
winter impact on their golf courses. The
seminar outlined; how winter damage happens, where we stand as a region and
some solutions on how to recover from potential damages.
Ice layer accumulations started developing at Forest Lake early
January ranging from ½” to 3” on our putting surfaces, with snow 18” to 30” on
top of that. What does all of this mean? The winter hardiness of Annual Bluegrass “POA”
which make up our greens, tees and fairways at Forest Lake can start declining
at 45 days under ice. With the brutal
temperatures and no melt conditions our ice layers remained on our greens for
65-75 days, despite the efforts of our greens crew removing snow and trying to
accelerate melt.
Due to very cool temperatures in late March, and similar
temperatures forecasted through late April, traditional spring green will be
delayed up for 2-3 weeks. Our biggest
fear is the potential for some “winter kill “damage, where the grass fails to grow
after warming conditions. If we do experience some damage, it is the
extent and where the location of the damage occurs, that will dictate how we
get the course in playable shape.
Our first goal is to assess any problems that may of occurred
this winter, and figure out the best management practices to re-establish grass
where needed, and to open our course for members. Proactive steps we take to grow grass in the
spring will lead to healthy turf and great playing conditions. Using
ropes to direct cart traffic, painted ground under repair areas, and
provisional greens may be solutions if we encounter areas that have turf loss.
Information will be
available daily at the First Tee and Pro shop regarding rules of conduct on the
golf course this spring during recovery.
Greens committee
