WINTER COURSE UPDATE - 12/17/21

Greens:

Effective Wednesday, December 15^th – there are now two cups in every green. The Course & Grounds Crew will move the flags periodically to reduce wear and traffic patterns. Golfers can also assist the Course & Grounds staff by moving the flag after completing the hole as well. Hole locations will be changed intermittently when conditions allow.

Range Tee:

The dormant Bermudagrass range tees are closed and covered for the winter.  All range use is strictly limited to the mats only. Grass tees will reopen in the Spring when the turfgrass begins growing again. 

Par 3 Tees:

To limit damage on the par 3 tees during the winter, many of the tee markers have been grouped together to consolidate wear.  Temporary mats may also be used at certain times and locations as required. Winter covers will also be installed in select areas in the coming weeks to prepare for the upcoming 2022 golfing season.

KILLING KYLLINGA - HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS PLANNED THIS WEEK

What is Green Kyllinga?

Green Kyllinga is a perennial sedge native to Asia. It spreads both by seed and underground rhizomes forming dense mats that overtake desirable turfgrass. Under golf course management, it can look very much like turfgrass but is often darker in color and has an almost “waxy” appearance.

Kyllinga is a relatively new weed problem at Chantilly and until just a few years ago, we were fortunate to not have any on the property (or at least not enough to grab my attention). Today Kyllinga is rapidly encroaching on many of the tees, fairways, and roughs but, until last summer, was most severe on the collars.

 

What are we doing about it?

Chemical controls have been applied repeatedly in the past with little success as the Kyllinga just keeps popping back up. That is until Spring of 2020, when a new herbicide was first tested on the collars and select areas around the golf course. The testing was extremely successful and, as of today, every test plot is completely Kyllinga free.

So, after the very successful test last spring, the plan is to treat all collars, tees, fairways, 1st cut rough, and select areas in roughs this week.  

 

What should you expect to see?

Not much really, at least nothing drastic very quickly. The herbicide is very slow taking up to 6 weeks to kill the Kyllinga (which is one of the reasons it is so safe on the desired turfgrass). In most areas, the Kyllinga will slowly discolor and just sort of "melt" away and the desirable turfgrass will fill in the voids much like a divot.  There may be some areas that will require sand/seed divot mix, and maybe even a few larger areas that may require sod. 

USGA - 5 THINGS EVERY GOLFER SHOULD KNOW

It's two years old now but this article from the USGA Green Section Staff is worth a re-post.  The complete article and short video can be found by clicking here. MM

     

Repairing Ball Marks: 5 Things Every Golfer Should Know 

July 9, 2018 By USGA Green Section Staff

Repairing ball marks on putting greens prevents long-lasting damage. (USGA)

As golfers, a small amount of our time and attention can go a long way in helping to maintain high-quality playing conditions on the courses we play. Repairing ball marks on the putting greens is an easy way to make a positive impact, but the importance of ball mark repair and the proper tools and technique are often misunderstood. Here are five things every golfer should know about repairing ball marks:

1. The proper technique for ball mark repair is easy and fast.
Insert the ball mark repair tool behind the ball mark and gently pull the top of the tool toward the center. Continue working around the ball mark, pulling the surrounding turf in toward the center of the indentation. Avoid using a lifting or twisting motion because this can damage turf roots. Once you have finished pulling turf in toward the center, gently tamp the area down with your putter to create a smooth, firm surface.

2. Unrepaired ball marks cause lasting problems
Failing to repair a ball mark may seem like a minor oversight, but there are lasting consequences. Unrepaired ball marks can take weeks to heal, during which time they can cause balls to bounce off line. The damage to the putting surface is also an entry point for weeds that can cause serious problems.

3. Certain putting greens are more vulnerable to ball marks than others.
Any putting green that typically receives high, lofted approach shots will be more susceptible to ball marks. The putting greens on par-3 holes are a perfect example. If you recognize that a putting green is prone to damage from ball marks, it is important to be mindful of repairing your own ball mark and a few unrepaired ones nearby.

When playing conditions are soft, be on the lookout for deep ball marks. (USGA)

4. Soft conditions mean more ball marks.
When putting greens are wet or soft, ball marks will be more of an issue. This is just one of the reasons why superintendents work hard to promote firm playing conditions with aeration, topdressing and other maintenance practices. If excessive thatch accumulates beneath the putting surface, ball marks and other turf issues will be more problematic.

5. Almost any pointed tool can be used to successfully repair a ball mark.
Many different tools have been created to repair ball marks, including single-pronged and fork-shaped tools. Almost any pointed tool, including a golf tee, can be used to effectively repair a ball mark. Using the proper technique is the key to success.

With the correct technique, almost any pointed tool can be used to successfully repair a ball mark. (USGA)

Repairing ball marks is one of the easiest ways that golfers can help superintendents deliver high-quality playing conditions. After hitting a great shot onto the putting green, fixing your ball mark and a couple nearby is an excellent way to celebrate.

DIVOT NIGHT

 

Thank you to all who participated in Divot Night!

COURSE CONDITIONS 7/16/20

CART PATH ONLY FRIDAY JULY 17TH - SUNDAY JULY 19TH Due to the extreme heat expected Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, and in an effort to protect your golf course, the cart rule will be CART PATH ONLY. The Paths Only restrictions may extend into next week if high temperatures remain above 95 degrees. We apologize for the inconvenience but allowing carts to drive on the turfgrass could be detrimental. On days of extreme heat, cool weather loving turfgrass may become so stressed that simply driving over them may cause injury or even death.  Please understand that we are trying to save the course for the rest of the year.  Tire tracks like this can take a very long time to heal:

The grounds crew is very busy trying to keep as much turf alive as possible through this period of high temperatures.  You may also see hand watering or irrigation heads running to cool the turf.  The purpose of this "syringing" is to cool the plants through evaporation -- not to wet the soil.  This practice works only in certain circumstances and must be employed carefully.  During these hot periods, too much water is just as bad as too little.  Please be patient if irrigation heads are running or we are hand watering greens during your round of golf.  We will do our best to stay out of your way, but it is not always possible during this time of year. Thank you as always for your continued support of the Golf Course Maintenance team here at Chantilly National!

BEWARE BUG SPRAY

Please remember that aerosol sunscreen and insect repellent will damage turfgrass.  Please apply these types of products while standing on a paved surface. The image below shows a spots on #3 fairway with some discoloration.  Notice the outline of the footprint where the turf was protected.

Most likely this damage is just cosmetic and temporary.  Generally, as the plants grow the damaged leaf will be mowed off in just a few weeks.

DIRECTIONAL POSTS

As a reminder for most Members and, perhaps, a bit of new information for some, the posts (pictured below, left) scattered around your golf course are meant to serve as directional markers for the golf carts. Any time the carts are not restricted to the cart paths only, the first post marks the point at which a golf cart may leave the cart path and the second, near the approach to the green, marks where carts are to return to the cart path.

As an example, in the image to the right, the orange dots represent the location of the posts. Anywhere between the posts carts may leave the cart path.  The shaded areas near the green and tee should never see cart traffic and carts should remain on the cart path regardless of the cart rule.

Please be aware that the post will not always be in the same place. Most will likely remain in the same general area much of the time and only be moved around slightly to help distribute wear and avoid visible wear patterns in the turfgrass while others may move more depending on the conditions.  For instance, the first 75 yards or so of #1 fairway will often remain wet longer than the rest of the golf course. When those conditions are present the post will be located much further up the fairway than during a dry period.

Although carts are free to roam between the post, common sense cart rules still apply.

Please: 

• never drive through a bunker
• try to avoid wet or soft areas and standing water
• try to avoid areas with thin or damaged turf
• never drive in a roped off area or an area  marked "ground under repair" 

Your help in observing these cart rules will ensure unnecessary damage from golf carts and help to maintain the condition of your golf course.

Thanks!