What's Wrong with the Greens!?

 If you've noticed a handful of greens at Swope Memorial that seem to have some off-color or yellow patches, you're not alone. Coming out of winter dormancy this year, we have battled a few slow-to-recover winter exposure spots on select greens. During bitter temperatures like we experienced in mid-January, any part of exposed turf is susceptible to cold damage and in extreme cases of prolonged exposure can lead to winter desiccation. If you remember the unbearable cold during that week and a half, you can probably understand why bentgrass grown at 1/8th of an inch does not enjoy it much. We believe these areas are pushing through it and the majority of the areas should be just fine. If by chance any areas decide to head back the other direction, we will address it with some interseeding, but as of now, we do not anticipate needing to do this.

New Course Marking

 

You may notice while playing Swope the new paint on all of the cart paths. Along with many other course improvements we've been working on, this has been added to help golfers while they enjoy their round. Many patrons will already know, but for those that don't, the different colored stripes on the cart paths signify yardages the golfer is from the green. The important distinction that should be made here is that the paint line marks the distance from the middle of the fairway strait out from the line. Not necessarily the distance from that spot on the cart path. Red indicates you are 100 yards from the middle of the green, white 150 yards, blue 200 yards, and yellow 250 yards. The goal with this is to improve the golfers perfection of distances by giving them a reference point before they ever leave the cart. This is especially helpful when we are cart path only, because you will be able to estimate a club or two before walking out to your ball.

Global Warming? Somebody tell the Midwest

    Somewhat of a slow start to the new year for us here at Swope. This January has been filled with more snow coverage than we have seen in the area in several years. Over two weeks of snow coverage so far this year making for a frustrating month for the local golfer.

    The bright side to all of the snow coverage for us as Superintendents is the advantages it gives the turf in the brutal conditions of a Midwest winter. One of the major concerns for turf health through the winter is a lack of moisture accompanied with freezing temperatures and high winds. That combination can cause turf damage that is irreversible and will require turf replacement come spring time. As Superintendent's the snow coverage was a blessing during the extremely cold and windy conditions we faced mid January. The snow acts as an insulating layer for the turf to protect it from the wind and freezing temps. The snow also continues to give moisture as it melts helping the turf stave off any winter kill.

    We are all excited for the warm temperatures the end of January is bringing and hope this continues into the February and March. From all of us at Swope Memorial we hope to see you out on the course this week to start the year off right.