Regional Update - Mid-Atlantic Region

The Desired Effect - Action Following Preparation And Patience
by Keith A. Happ - Senior Agronomist, Mid-Atlantic Region

In the northern tier of the Mid-Atlantic Region the turf is waking up from a long winter's rest. As the snow has melted throughout the region, evidence of varying degrees of damage is apparent. We have observed and heard reports of direct cold temperature damage on Poa annua putting surfaces, although it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the damage. We experienced one of the longest periods of heavy snow cover in recent history. Significant levels of gray snow mold, pink snow mold, and direct cold temperature damage in the northern and eastern portion of the region have been reported. The key issue now is how you recover from the damage and prepare for the upcoming season? Read this update

Regional Update - Southeast Region

Here Comes Another Summer
By Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O'Brien, Agronomists

Many of our articles over the last year have focused on some aspect of ultradwarf putting greens. Bentgrass managers, we have not forgotten about you! Now is the time to begin putting your summer management plan into action. Below are a few topics that may help the summer go a little easier. We have included links to turfgrass research articles in case you wish to delve deeper into each topic.  Read this update

Regional Update - North Central Region

It's Always a Factor 

By R.A. (Bob) Brame, Director

Yep, it's always a factor. We talk about it frequently and no doubt always will. It directly and persistently affects golf course maintenance. No matter how well we plan, there are times it gets the best of us. There are times it compromises what we'd like to present to those playing the course. There are times when it prevents us from playing at all. There are also times when it gives back more than we could ever accomplish on our own. Some say don't use it as an excuse, but the reality is it can be the reason. The 'it,' of course, is weather. Whether or not all agree, weather is a factor in both the preparation and play of golf courses. If nothing else, the past should teach us not to fight against it, but to work with it by preparing for the unexpected. Read this update

Regional Update - Northeast Region

Annual Bluegrass Weevil 

By Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist

Spring has sprung, and with the warmer temperatures comes the return of annual bluegrass weevils (ABW) to golf courses across the Northeast. The weevil currently seems to be the greatest insect challenge facing annual bluegrass golf courses in the region. Management programs continue to target the egg-laying adults that emerge in early spring, and the success of the management programs can be significantly influenced by the timing of the initial insecticide application. Justifiably, there also are concerns with ABW resistance to pyrethroid insecticides that have been used as contact controls against the adult insects.   Read this update

Turf Twister

Dealing With Encroachment
The spread of bermudagrass or zoysiagrass into new greens

Q:

Our club is scheduled to renovate the greens and collars this year. We have observed other course renovations where the bermudagrass collar encroached several inches into the new greens before they were
even opened. Surely, there is a technique that can prevent this problem. Encroachment
is one of the reasons we are resurfacing in the first place. (Texas)
A: Encroachment during grow-in is a major problem that, quite frankly, is very seldom managed as aggressively as needed. Often, it's accepted as inevitable by many courses. After the collar is sodded, apply a band of glyphosate about 2 inches wide on the inside edge next to the green. This prevents runner/rhizome encroachment during establishment,
yet the banded area will completely grow back before the bentgrass seeding or bermudagrass sprigging matures. Often, two applications at 30-day intervals are needed to prevent regrowth during green establishment. This process works well for bermudagrass or zoysiagrass collars.