Heat wreaking havoc on golf courses nationwide
Prolonged periods of high temperatures, and in some cases, excessive rainfall and high humidity, have made life uncomfortable for golfers and golf courses alike, with Mother Nature holding all the cards for true relief."The simple fact is the cool-season turfgrasses ... are stressed when temperatures climb and humidity is high," said Clark Throssell, Ph.D., director of research for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. And although this happens every year, he added, "... what makes the situation so dire this year are the high levels of extended heat and humidity, and the sizeable part of the country affected (Midwest, Mideast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic)."
Throssell noted that golf facilities and course superintendents are not alone in this battle with the elements.
"We are certainly seeing homeowners, athletic fields and businesses suffer turfgrass damage brought on by the conditions," Throssell said. "What makes it more difficult for golf facilities are the mowing heights are much lower and traffic is much heavier. That just adds to the stress on the turfgrass."
Throssell said that course superintendents are addressing the issue with a variety of management practices to make sure turfgrass survives. While there may be some short-term impact on playability of the course, the alternative is the loss of grass, the closing of the course and the additional costs of re-establishing playing surfaces (primarily putting greens).
He cautioned that it is not only possible, but likely, for turfgrass to be adequately watered and still suffer heat stress under extended periods of high temperatures.
Among the practices that superintendents are implementing to manage golf courses include not cutting grass as short (most notably the greens); alternating daily practices of mowing and rolling greens, perhaps skipping a day if possible, and adjusting golf car traffic to minimize stress to turf.
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