...interiors are extra!



Not only does the Golf Course Maintenance staff try to give our members and their guests the best possible golf course conditions on a daily basis, we also try to give a little extra when it comes to our Member/Guest events at the Fountains Country Club.  In conjunction with the fanatastic presentation of food and flair offered in the clubhouse during yesterday's event, each paricipant's car was washed while they were out on the course.  We hope these added touches leave our members and their guests with lasting memories of their great day at the Fountains.

An Abnormally Dry Winter

Although a significant rain event occurred in early February 2012, the positive effects of the much needed rain has diminished and again left us in the beginning stages of drought.  With temperatures for February higher than normal and constant tropical winds, the golf courses are drying out at a faster than normal rate.  The irrigation systems struggle to maintain adequate soil moisture conducive to growing quality turf grass suitable for golf.   Since November 1, 2011 only 5.56 inches of recorded rain has fallen across the area.  That is well below the 13.81 inches normally received.

 For example, the Fountains Country Club is currently permitted to use 25.2 million gallons of water for irrigation purposes on the golf courses for February 2012.  If the normal 2.55 inches of rainfall for the month of February occurs the permitted amount is generally adequate for irrigation.  Evan though, to this point in February, we have received 0.4 inches of rainfall more than normal, we began the year in a huge deficit and have been unable to gain any ground.  In addition all of the February rainfall occurred over the course of a few days early in the month.  As a result of these shortages, many localized dry areas have become visible on the golf courses, especially on the North and “Old West 9.”  These dry spots occur where irrigation coverage is inadequate and where soils are extremely sandy and have limited water retention.  To combat these dry spots, additional water and wetting agents are applied in efforts to combat turf decline.

To this point, the effects of the limited rainfall are only evident on the courses with the older irrigation system. However if these dry conditions continue, a repeat of the drought of 2011 could be inevitable and some turf loss may occur.

Shannon Wheeler

Director of Greens and Grounds

Fountains Country Club

Pros And Cons Of A Mild South Florida Winter

By John H. Foy, director, Florida Region
February 29, 2012

In addition to the persistence of moderate to high disease pressure, plant parasitic nematodes are another pest problem being encountered on recent TAS visits in South Florida. Irregular shaped areas of weak, chlorotic turf and no roots are classic symptoms of a nematode problem.

As noted in the January and February regional updates, we have been enjoying very mild to warm temperatures this winter. This is in stark contrast to the past two winters of prolonged and record setting cold temperatures. On a positive side, the weather has been great for getting out and playing, and during recent TAS visits most courses are reporting that increased rounds are being hosted. It has also been encouraging to hear that as a result of innovative campaigns, a number of clubs have successfully increased membership levels. Furthermore, the very mild to warm temperatures have helped reduce turf damage from carts on courses in the southern half of the state. 
On the other side of the coin, increased pest pressure has been a concern at many courses. As previously reported by Todd Lowe, leaf spot disease problems typically subside in early January with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Yet, during the mid to latter part of February, warm temperatures in combination with higher humidity levels and overcast conditions resulted in a perfect storm scenario for leaf spot disease and other fungal pathogens. At one point, disease pressure was so high that outbreaks occurred even on putting greens receiving aggressive preventative fungicide treatments.  With the extended weather forecast calling for more of the same, continuing fungicide treatment programs on putting greens is advised. Exercising care with nitrogen fertilization and making sure that sufficient levels of potassium and magnesium are maintained can aid in reducing the susceptibility to leaf spot disease outbreaks.
Another pest problem that is starting to be encountered is plant parasitic nematodes.  With a lack of cold weather, there has not been much of a slow down in activity of these microscopic, worm-like organisms that feed on the root system of the turf. The resulting root system damage greatly impairs the ability to take up nutrients and moisture, and on putting greens this results in irregular shaped areas of chlorotic weak and thin turf coverage. Very shallow and disfigured roots are classic symptoms of elevated nematode population levels, and laboratory assays of soil samples submitted from courses recently visited have confirmed the existence of this pest problem.  Eradication of nematodes or any other pest organism is economically and environmentally impossible. Limitations in available curative nematicide treatments have made it even more difficult to keep nematode population levels suppressed below damaging thresholds. Thus, more so than ever before, employment of agronomically sound and proven basic management practices to produce healthy turf growth and minimize other stress factors to the degree possible is a mandated survival strategy. Space is not available to review all aspects of an integrated nematode survival management program. For more specifics, please do not hesitate to contact Todd Lowe or myself. 
Invoices for the 2012 Turf Advisory Service (TAS) have been mailed to courses in Florida. The cost for a TAS visit is $2400 for a half-day and $3400 for a full-day. Payments made before May 15^th result in a $600 discount – rates of $1800 and $2800 respectively. You can call our office, 772-546-2620 to schedule your visits at anytime. We look forward to working with you to discuss disease, nematode, or any other issues regarding golf course maintenance. 

Source:  John Foy, jfoy@usga.org, or 772-546-2620