So far we have had a mild winter, and, if Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is right, we are in for an early spring.
In the fall Golf Course Superintendent's prepare their courses for the winter months. Various activities are performed like aeration, fertilization, topdressing and preventative fungicide applications. At Metamora, all of these activities are performed, but we also raise our mowing heights on greens and mow everything less as we head into winter. This is done to insure that plants can produce and store as many carbohydrates as possible.
I have had several opportunities throughout the winter to inspect turf conditions and I don't have any major concerns. There were a couple of instances where ice had formed on the putting and fairway surfaces, but it wasn't there long enough to cause any harm. When ice forms a proverbial clock starts, and we keep track of this time while the turf is under ice. Interestingly enough, this winter that clock has restarted a couple of times (including now0. For more information on ice damage view the past posts under the winter labels. I have included several photos (below) of what I have discovered while inspecting the course thus far. Everything, so far, is positive.
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| Ice sheet formed on green |
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| Snow removed to reveal no ice |
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| Ice sheet melting creating porous ice |
As I've mentioned above, ice did form (as seen in the photo at left), but through melt, this ice sheet has turned into a porous, breathable sheet (as seen in middle picture). In the third photo: more snow fell, but, after removing it, no new ice has formed.
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| Exposed green and no problems |
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| Renovated bunkers are draining well |
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| No signs of snow molds |
These photos should help explain what I have seen so far this winter and why I believe any significant problems have occurred. The extended forecast is promising with a few cold days followed by warmer ones. I feel the threat of ice damage is behind us, but a threat to Annual Bluegrass (
Poa annua) can still occur in the form of Crown Hydration. This typically occurs late winter or early spring; however, if these weather patterns and temperatures stay consistent it will not be a threat.
Thanks for reading and please check back in the coming weeks for further updates. We anticipate seeing you on the golf course soon.
