The winter play season is in full swing in Florida, and, based on TAS visits to courses around the state, appropriate and satisfactory conditioning is being provided. While turf quality and overall course conditioning is in keeping with desires and expectations, it is still possible to observe the impacts of the multiple hurricanes that have hit the state over recent years. While many golfers are tired of hearing about the hurricanes, the effects of these storms continue to be felt. At one club recently visited, sand refurbishment and repairs to bunker perimeters damaged in September 2004 by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne had just been completed.
Similar to most of the United States, early winter temperatures were mild, and only one day of scattered frost was reported in South Florida during January. As a result, a degree of bermudagrass growth continued to occur, and typical winter deterioration due to traffic and wear damage was not as pronounced. However, in mid-February, winter finally arrived to the entire Eastern Seaboard, and the cold front that brought blizzard conditions to the Northeast settled all the way into South Florida for two to three days. Record setting low temperatures was not experienced, but with average temperatures of 50 degrees or less during this time bermudagrass growth halted and there was major turf discoloration. The Christmas freeze of 1989 was the last time I have observed as much off-color bermudagrass in south Florida.
Over the past four weeks pleasant temperatures have prevailed, but at many facilities, windy and dry conditions have hampered redevelopment of the overall green color. Windy and dry conditions are the normal in Florida during the spring, and this can create additional challenges in maintaining a uniform color. While color has no bearing on playability, this is one of the main criteria most golfers use to evaluate overall course quality.
Since the introduction of ultradwarf bermudagrasses, steady progress has been made in fine tuning the management of the putting surfaces. I have visited many facilities where excellent putting green conditioning of a consistent, smooth and true ball roll and medium fast to fast putting speeds is provided. Regardless of the base turf, intensive management is required for producing premium quality putting green conditioning in keeping with current day standards. While the merits and necessity of growth regulator treatment programs continue to be debated, treatments on almost a year round basis are a common denominator in the management programs at most facilities where premium quality conditioning is maintained.
It would further be pointed out that over the last week or two an increased incidence of fairy rings has begun to occur. The importance of being proactive when dealing with fairy rings cannot be over-emphasized. Spiking, slicing or non-disruptive aeration treatments prior to conducting fungicide and/or wetting agent applications is advisable for making sure these materials can penetrate the turf canopy.
While it can be a challenge when hosting heavy seasonal play, scheduling supplemental non-disruptive aeration treatments is strongly encouraged to maintain adequate moisture and oxygen infiltration and help survive until the summertime programs can be implemented.
Source: John Foy, jfoy@usga.org or 772-546-2620
