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