 It is
difficult to talk about rainfall when some states are currently
being flooded; but rainfall, or lack thereof, has been an
important issue for Florida golf courses over the past year. The
impacts of limited rainfall and severe irrigation restrictions
have been discussed thoroughly in regional updates over the past
several months; but lingering drought conditions are still a
significant issue for many courses in our region.
Where there is water, there is life. This grass is taking
advantage of every spare drop.
Like clockwork, our summer rains began the first week of June
and have been a welcomed event. The West Florida Green Section
office has experienced a thunderstorm nearly every afternoon
since June 1st and my lawn has transformed from a completely
brown wasteland into a thriving green yard again. While this now
means I must begin weekly mowing, I am not complaining. The same
has been true on TAS visits lately, as the golf courses that
receive rainfall show immediate improvements in turf quality.
Still some areas have not yet received any rainfall and are
suffering in quality. Florida Green Section Regional Director,
John Foy, recently visited a club that is putting a positive
spin on the drought conditions. The club is marketing Scottish
link conditions without the airfare. Each of the courses that I
have visited have enlisted prudent drought management programs
including raising mowing heights, managing cart traffic,
hand-watering and applying wetting agents on a regular basis.
However, there eventually reaches a point where bermudagrass
shuts down and turns brown. It will return once it receives
adequate moisture, and, until that time, expect firmer
conditions and practice your bump-and-run game.
Source: Todd Lowe, tlowe@usga.org or 941-828-2625 |
