Well, its official –
Southwest Florida is dry. This past August reported the
driest August in 20 years and, with the water level in
Lake Okeechobee still three feet below normal, the Phase
II irrigation restrictions that began this past spring
will more than likely continue through the remainder of
the year. While some areas of the state have received
adequate rainfall, Southwest Florida is still struggling
with lake levels three to four feet below average. Our
summers are generally quite wet, and the drop in water
levels that occur each spring are generally replenished
throughout the summer months – not so this year.
Luckily, healthy bermudagrass and seashore paspalum is
quite tolerant of drought and generally does not die
from lack of water. Instead, both grasses go dormant and
lose their green color. Healthy bermudagrass and
seashore paspalum simply turn brown in response to
drought dormancy and then recover once increased
rainfall or irrigation is applied.
An issue that has come to light over the past several
weeks has been the impact of the prolonged irrigation
restrictions on nematode-affected areas. Nematodes are
microscopic worms that feed on bermudagrass roots and
reduce the turf’s ability to uptake water and nutrients.
Having a shortened root system does not allow the turf
to uptake water from deeper soil depths. Unfortunately,
over 85% of Florida golf courses have damaging levels of
nematodes, and the extended irrigation restrictions have
caused turf loss in nematode-affected areas. Many of
these areas have been re-sodded but, because there are
no chemicals that can eradicate nematodes from golf
courses, continued irrigation restrictions will more
than likely cause increased turf loss in the future.
Irrigation restrictions have also drastically reduced
winter overseeding on Southwest Florida golf courses
this winter. Some courses in Southwest Florida overseed
playing surfaces to provide a lush green color during
the winter play season. Bermudagrass never completely
loses its color in South Florida and the need for winter
overseeding is much less than in other regions. A
significant reduction in irrigation can be realized with
the removal of winter overseeding, and many clubs have
decided to forgo this practice until irrigation
restrictions are lifted. There is only so much water
that can be allocated, and it is important to protect
the health of the base bermudagrass at the expense of
improved golf course color.
The upside to this droughty trend is that we are not out
of the woods yet in regards to tropical storms. In fact,
it is important to remember that Hurricane Wilma hit
Naples two years ago in October. Therefore, this region
could experience a significant amount of rainfall over
the next few weeks and this will drastically improve
golf course playing conditions. However, it is best to
take a pessimistic stance at this point and plan for the
worse in regards to water allocation and to have a plan
in place for extreme drought conditions. Out of play
areas and roughs receive least priority in regards to
water. What does this equate to? Worst case scenario
should be reducing irrigation drastically in these
areas, creating brown driving ranges/roughs. Sporadic
dry (brown) spots will occur on fairways and tees as
irrigations shortages continue.
Hopefully, the glass is currently half-full and
conditions will resume to normal for the upcoming
golfing season.
Source: Todd Lowe, tlowe@usga.org or 941-828-2625 |
