Chantilly National Golf and Grounds: STATE OF THE TURF

STATE OF THE TURF

SEPTEMBER 2016

To keep Chantilly National Members informed of golf course conditions and agronomic practices, we have prepared a ‘state of the course’ update.

Early summer weather resulted in some of the best course conditions we have experienced in a number of years. Unfortunately, with record-breaking temperatures in July and August, conditions have deteriorated as the golf turf is showing signs of heat stress. With 16 days left of official summer, northern Virginia has experienced the most challenging weather conditions in nearly two decades for cool season turf grass, including:

51 days at 90+ degrees
18 days higher than normal for this point in the year
15 more days than average for a calendar year
46 of 61 days in July and August exceeding 90 degrees, breaking the last record of 43 days set in 1988

The above-mentioned weather conditions has caused a decline in course conditions and the overall health and quality of the fairways and some rough areas. Below is a summary of problematic areas at Chantilly National and our short and long range plans to get the course back to optimal playing conditions.

The Problems:

Thin and dead turf on many playing surfaces in the fairways and some roughs
Low lying sections of the fairways
Decline of Par 3 tee health and recovery

The Causes:

Record setting heat/heat indexes for daytime temps
Record overnight temps not dropping low enough to allow for cool season turf recovery
Drought periods/wet periods
When rain does come it has been in large amounts over short periods causing standing water...compounded by high temperatures and high UV days leading to scalding and wet wilt...not just in the "bird baths" but in any low lying areas even minor dips in the grading
Disease pressure, insect pressure (specifically the Annual Bluegrass Weevil), mechanical stress (from mowing operations, golf carts, and foot traffic, and general use), shade issues (as evidenced on #7 tee and #17 approach and other areas) coupled with extreme heat and periods of too much water (wet wilt) and too little water (dry wilt) have left the golf course scarred

The Myths:

The fairway and turf decline are the result of overwatering

Watering practices were crucial to maintaining what we have now and are right in line with what was needed for the course’s survival

The effects seen this summer relate to budgetary constraints

The maintenance operating budget for Chantilly National has increased every year since acquisition, particularly with regards to Chemical/Fertilizer applications and equipment
This year we were also provided a new, $65,000 Toro Multi Pro spray rig to accompany our others and allow more frequent and efficient chemical/fertilizer applications

Chantilly National is the only course in the area dealing with these effects

We have visited our competition during recent weeks and have seen both the same and far worse effects of the extreme heat

The Short Term Solutions:

Cultural practices including vertical mowing, aerificaton, seeding, sodding, and fertility will be implemented on all surfaces as needed
A targeted plan for each surface depending on the exact conditions will be implemented as required
All fairways will be aerified and heavily seeded which has already begun

Fertility and organic products will be introduced as required.
Carts will be restricted during seed establishment

"Bird bath" areas will be sodded once again

As before, this is not a permanent fix but a short term improvement to the aesthetics and play-ability.

Heavy topdressing and tree removal for the Par 3 tees

The Long Term Solutions:

The drainage issues on holes 3, 5, 11 & 17 fairways will be addressed in 2017
Work will begin with an architect and engineer for the reshaping of #10 which will be a multi-year project based on permitting requirements
We are exploring the re-grassing of all golf course fairways and tees to one varietal of grass
We will continue to expand and increase the maintenance operating budget which has been increased each year since the ClubCorp acquisition

Success Stories:

We are dealing with the same problems as our competition and in many ways have fared better than a lot of them have

These issues have effected some of the most premium Country Clubs in the Northern VA area

The greens and green surrounds are very healthy despite the extreme heat
The driving range tee has been perfect all summer long allowing an increased number of days per week hitting from the grass surface
Bunkers continue to improve with sand being added to select locations and increased cultivation
Rough and Intermediate rough have been very healthy all year following stress in 2015

What can you do to help?

As always, your help is vital in the form of divot replacement (or filling with sand if the turf is not useable), ball mark repair, and adherence to golf cart rules. ClubCorp is fully invested in the future improvement of overall golf course quality and presentation. As a company, we will continue to explore every avenue available to move Chantilly National into the category of a premium area golf course. We appreciate your ongoing support and please know that it is our primary goal to provide you with the best conditions possible and a course for which you can be proud. While there is some work that lies ahead, we are confident that these goals can and will be achieved.

Warm Regards,

Kyle Mooney

General Manager

Mike Maines

Golf Course Superintendent