Tree and Winter Work

 Currently, leaf removal has been absorbing most of the grounds department's time. The many pin oak trees located throughout the golf course (because of marcescent foliage) are slowly letting go of their leaves. The wind storm that blew through around Thanksgiving helped to fall much of the foliage; however there are a couple trees still unloading. Hopefully we are on our final blow/chop operation and will be able to move on to other projects shortly.

An abundant amount of oak leaves after the pre-Thanksgiving day wind storm

 One important winter project on the horizon is tree/branch removals. In October we conducted a tree evaluation to address any diseased or dying trees. A few of our oak trees are becoming infected with Ganoderma-an aggressive wood rotting fungal infection that decays heartwood and can move into vascular layers. Large abrasions are a common entry point and once a tree is infected there is no cure. One of the first noticeable signs of infection is the presence of a conk (mushroom growth) growing on the trunk. This combined with significant canopy dieback indicates a severe infection and is recommended for immediate removal. Another common malady is co-dominant trunks with included bark. Large pin oaks with this have a high failure rate because of the massive amount of pressure put on the intersecting point. The lower the co-dominate trunk branches begin the more dangerous the situation. Also, many of the Colorado blue spruce trees are becoming infected with rhizosphaera needle cast disease and/or cytospora canker disease and are quickly deteriorating. Not to mention the emerald ash borer and all the damage that has caused to the ash trees.

Red conk indicating a Ganoderma infection on a red oak

White sap coming from an infection point indicating cytospora canker disease on a blue spruce.

Rhizophaera needle cast disease on blue spruce trees indicated by dieback of lower branches progressing upward.

Co-dominant trunk with included bark on pin oak by #8 tee

Dying ash tree courtesy of the emerald ash borer.

 The grounds department has a certified arborist on staff and consults with a board-certified master arborist once every two or three years to ensure that the WHCC trees are reasonably safe and in good health. Some healthy trees are in consideration for removal only if they are negatively impacting high priority turf areas (click here for more information about trees and turf). Some of these trees were recommended for removal by the USGA agronomist during his visit in May. All potentially removed trees are discussed with the greens committee before any removals take place.

2019-2020 winter tree removals

 Outside of tree work there have been other projects that the grounds team has been accomplishing. One was the blow out of the irrigation system in early December. This is a necessity to eliminate the possibility of pipes freezing and cracking during the winter months. This was accomplished by hooking up an air compressor to our pump station and then blowing out each individual head on the course and winterizing the pump station. Other projects included: leveling out of the bumpy area at the bottom of #15 fairway, completing the late fall fertilization, finishing the tulip bulb plantings, and continuing to mow on an as needed basis.

Irrigation blow-out

Leveling of #15 fairway area

 As we move deeper into winter, tree work will take center stage along with parking lot snow removal, attending turf/horticulture seminars, new landscape designs, staff recruitment, equipment maintenance, creating maintenance standards and a 2020 maintenance calendar, bunker work, and the upkeep of appurtenances. The grounds department is thankful for a great 2019 season and we look forward to an even better 2020 season. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Brad Piecuch
Assistant Superintendent

Its Beginning to look a lot like... November?

  In recent years November, along with Thanksgiving, seem to be getting pulled into a continuation of the Christmas season. Stores begin decorating in October, Christmas commercials begin appearing regularly by Veterans day, and the radio stations start playing Christmas music before the kids start receiving Halloween candy. The last couple of years mother nature seems to be following suit. The temperatures that have descended upon the tri-state more closely resemble late December rather then mid-November. We usually average around 50 degrees for high temperatures in November and the last couple of weeks the thermometer is struggling to reach 40 with lows in the 20s and teens. Hopefully we dodge another ice storm like last November. These conditions have the grounds department scrambling to catch up on leaf removal, mowing, fertilization, and draining out the irrigation system before the next arctic blast.

  The cold temperatures have a major effect on the turfgrass. The growth starts to slow down causing longer recovery time from stressors such as foot traffic, ball marks, and maintenance practices. Also, the cold causes many situations where we have to shut down the golf course to prevent any turf damage that may occur. This makes it a good time to touch base on winter play and course conditions.

  There are five main reasons why the course may be closed or delayed during winter months.  They are snow, frost, frozen ground, thawing ground, and very wet conditions.The first is fairly obvious, finding a white, or even colored golf ball, after a snow storm is virtually impossible and trying to putt would be comical. Snow does provide insulation from low temperatures and winter winds; however melting snow can refreeze and cause crown hydration injury. Frost and frozen ground can cause significant damage to the turf when walked or driven on. Thawing ground can cause root damage from foot traffic when the top layer of soil is thawed and the lower layer is still frozen. Any traffic during this scenario will break the roots in between the two layers. Wet ground is also very common this time of year from the freezing, thawing, heavy rainfall, low evapotranspiration rates, and the dormancy of the turf (prohibiting any water uptake). Walking on highly saturated soil will cause deep footprints that will create craters and unevenness especially prevalent on putting greens. For more information on winter play closures click on this informative article by the USGA. 

Frost damage from cart traffic

Black footprints caused from walking over frosty turf

First snowfall of the season

Cart damage from driving over frozen turf

 The agronomy team is committed to providing the best conditions as possible. Sometimes closing the course is imperative to maintaining healthy turf. In collaboration with the golf staff professionals we will communicate when these closures or delays take place. We apologize for any inconvenience and understand the famous quote "if you don't like the weather in Cincinnati, just wait a minute!"

Brad Piecuch

Assistant Superintendent

Fall Projects

 The grounds department has been extremely busy tackling many fall projects. Golf Preservations has installed drain tile into two poorly draining soil based greens. There are many benefits to having a better drainage system installed, some of them are as follows:

• increase turf quality 
• increase green speeds
• create firmer conditions 
• decrease compaction
• increase root depths 
• allow greens to be opened up quicker after a rain storm
• decrease disease presence

  It takes about a day to finish a green. They first survey the green, then map out the location of the drainage, cut the sod, dig the trench, remove the spoils, install 2" perforated pipe, back fill with a 6-2-2 (sand, peat moss, topsoil) mix, and finally place the sod back on the trench and install valve boxes for flush out areas. The tile is placed around 15"-16" below the surface and drains out to the lowest point on the green. Holes #6 and #2 will be closed for a short time to allow the sod to root in.

Golf Preservations trailer

#6 green drainage install

digging trenches on #6 green

main drainage trench

Using plywood to minimize disturbance to the green

back filling ditches and installing the old bentgrass back on top

Drainage completed #6 green

Drainage install #2 green

Main trench for #2 green

Completed drainage project #2 green

We were able to replenish the fairway/tee nursery with leftover bentgrass sod

#2 green after a rain storm, before the installation of new drainage

#6 green after a rain storm, before the installation of new drainage

  Another project taking place, with the help of Russ Macke, is the expansion of three forward/alternate tees. These small tees on #7, #9, and #17 will be enlarged by 2 to 3 times their current size and leveled out. We are using the excavated dirt from #6 and #2 greens drainage projects to help with this job. Hopefully, this will encourage golfers to use these tees more often, decreasing some usage of the further back tees and alleviating their leveling concerns. Drainage has been an issue at the front of #13 green and we have installed new drain tile and a catch basin to try and resolve the problem.

Excavating the sod on #9 forward tee

Excavating the sod on #17 alternate tee

Using the spoils from #6 green drainage project for the expansion of #9 forward tee

Leveling of the expanded #7 forward tee

Newly sodded #9 forward tee

Drainage added to the beginning of #13 green

New drainage installed #13 green

 Our other fall maintenance projects are moving along nicely. Aeration of tees, fairways, and rough have been completed, as well as, early fall fertilization.The turf has responded well to these practices and is showing off its bright green colors as we speak.

Aeration of #6 fairway

Aeration of #1 fairway

Aeration of # 13 tee

#2 fairway three weeks after aeration and early fall fertilization

 An athletic field mix of bluegrass was slit seeded into a Bermuda grass area on #11 fairway last month. We are starting to see results as some of the bluegrass has germinated. Right now, it is patchy because the Bermuda grass was extremely thick and healthy when seeding took place. The warm early fall temperatures kept the Bermuda actively growing longer than usual which hindered germination of some of the bluegrass. However, bluegrass is an aggressive creeping grass and it will be interesting to see how it fills in during the late fall season. We will continue to monitor this plot throughout the shoulder season to consider if Bluemuda (click here for more information) is a potential solution to our Bermuda grass situation. 

Bluegrass germination on #11 test plot. Notice the dark green bluegrass patches mixed in with the brown, dormant Bermuda grass.

  Finally, after completion of these jobs most of our attention will be focused on leaf removal. The WHCC trees are starting to put on their fall show. The ash, maples honey locusts, and hickory trees are in full color. This contrasts well with the bright green turf and allows for some great photo opportunities.

White ash trees fall color

Green ash trees fall color

White and green ash by #18 green

Sugar maple fall color right of #7

We apologize for the inconvenience that these projects have caused; however the benefits will be noticed and enjoyed for years to come.

Brad Piecuch

Assistant Superintendent/Horticulturist 

Around the Grounds-September

  Well, it's that "tine" of year again. Time for core (or hollow tine) aeration. We completed the greens aerification on September 3rd. Hollow tine plugs were pulled out, then removed, and the greens were given a heavy topdressing to fill in the aeration holes. Next up will be tees, followed by short rough, and finally, on October 8th, the fairways will get core aerated. (click here for more information on aeration) Also, September and October are important times to fertilize cool season turfgrass. We will be fertilizing tees, fairways, and rough with a heavy nitrogen granular fertilizer once mother nature decides to put an end to the summer temperatures. The greens will get a lighter amount of organic macro-nutrients in the next couple of weeks. This fertilization will help the turf recover from summer stress and increase growth leading to a healthier stand of turfgrass.

Core aerating #5 green

Topdressing the putting green after aeration

 It is also the time of year that the WHCC tree roots are having a big impact on turf health. After starting the year off very wet, the last couple of months have been extremely dry. That means that both the grass and trees are competing for available moisture. The areas where the trees are winning the battle are becoming noticeable, with big patches of brown and stressed out turf. We have been increasing our irrigation around these areas, but we need a good rain to saturate the soil enough to provide both plants with adequate moisture.  September is the driest month for the Cincinnati area; however we need some rain and cooler temperatures for the turfgrass to fully recover.

Tree roots out competing turf for moisture

The bentgrass on #12 approach and a pin oak tree struggling for available moisture

  

  Speaking of trees, there has been some tree maintenance occurring during the last couple of months.  A few wind storms blew through and took down certain branches and entire trees. Also, several varieties put on heavy fruit, such as ginkos and oaks, that cause the branches to sag down, and sometimes break off. 

Cleveland select pear losing a large branch

Emerald ash borer causing the death of this ash tree, then toppling over during a wind storm

  Irrigation leaks seem to be picking up steam. We have had a multitude of pipe leaks in the last month.  The wet spring made them hard to identify, but with the recent dry spell they have become easy to spot. Luckily, we have a dedicated irrigation crew, lead by Michael Westendorf, that has been keeping up with the pipe leaks, and leaky irrigation heads.

Bell-end pipe leak

Chris Wheeler showing us the exact location of this leak. Thanks Wheels👍

  We are, hopefully, on our last couple of spray applications for the year. It has been a long season of battling insects, funguses, and fertility issues but the end is in sight. Once the cool autumn temperatures arrive, the major diseases will no longer be an issue and the grass will not be consistently stressed allowing it to fight off many of the late season disorders.  Come on fall!

A fairway spray application

 On the horticulture side, the annuals are hitting their stride. The new guinea impatiens are at their peak, and the tropical plants are certainly loving the extended hot summer weather. Some of the newer varieties that were planted this year like, the Mexican petunias,and the cleome, performed very well. In the next couple of weeks the fall annuals will be replacing some of the worn out summer annuals. So be on the lookout for mums, pansies, millet, and peppers to be making their appearance around the grounds. Also, this is the time of year we design the annual display (both spring and summer) for next season. We have some new and fresh ideas so stay tuned!

New guienea impatiens, redhead coleus, and euphorbia 'diamond frost'

Mexican petunias, pink cleome, and pink pentas

  What do you get when you cross Bermuda grass with bluegrass? Bluemuda (click here for more information) - and it could be the answer to our dormant, brown Bermuda grass fairway areas. This is a newer concept that has become increasingly popular in the transition zone over the last couple of years. It involves inter-seeding with newer varieties of Kentucky bluegrass into an already existing stand of Bermuda grass. The Kentucky bluegrass would thrive in the shoulder seasons and the Bermuda would take over during the summer. Both grasses have a creeping habit which would increase survival for this two grass system. We over-seeded a small area of Bermuda with an athletic field mix of Kentucky blue on #11 fairway. Bluegrass takes 20 days to germinate so we should see in October the success of this test plot. Another benefit of bluemuda is once the bluegrass is established, future over seeding would not be necessary.  The more traditional option, in the transition zone, is to over seed with perennial rye. The rye-grass has quick germination and looks great in the fall and spring. However, the rye-grass is a bunch type grass that struggles in the heat and gets crowded out by the aggressive Bermuda, causing the over seeding process to take place again the following year.  Bluemuda was recommended by the USGA agronomist, during his visit in May, and we will closely monitor the results.

Over-seeded area in #11 farway

Brad Piecuch

Assistant Superintendent/Horticulturist