FERNANDINA BEACH GOLF CLUB Fernandina Beach, Florida

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1 FERNANDINA BEACH GOLF CLUB Fernandina Beach, Florida Visit Date: April 2, 2013 Present: Mr. Buddy Tate, Golf Course Superintendent Mr. John Foy, Director, USGA Green Section United States Golf Association John H. Foy, Director Green Section Florida Region PO Box 1087 Hobe Sound, FL, (772) Fax (772) USGA Green Section Mission: The USGA Green Section are leaders in developing and disseminating agronomically, environmentally, and economically sustainable management practices. We help golf facilities maintain better playing conditions for better golf through science-based and practical solutions. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 1

2 The purpose of the USGA Green Section is to assist subscribing golf courses in matters of agronomic management. All recommendations are offered free of bias, since the USGA has no connections or obligations to any manufacturer, supplier or contractor. Additionally, since quick fixes seldom result in permanent improvement, some of the recommendations in this report may not be easy to implement and could take more than a single season to produce the desired results. As per a request by Mr. Joe Gerrity, City Manager for the City of Fernandina Beach, a USGA Green Section Turfgrass Advisory Service (TAS) visit to the city owned Fernandina Beach Golf Club was conducted on April 2, The site visit was requested because of the golfer concerns and complaints received about course conditions. During the site visit, a tour of the property was made to evaluate existing overall course conditions, and management programs and practices were discussed in detail with Mr. Buddy Tate, Golf Course Superintendent. The following is a summary of my findings, along with suggestions and recommendations for developing and maintaining a level of conditioning and quality more in keeping with current standards for a daily fee facility in the North Florida area. On February 6, 2007, I conducted a TAS site visit to Fernandina Beach Golf Club because problems were also unfortunately being experienced. During the summer of 2006, the irrigation system was updated, but during the final stages of the project it was not possible to maintain adequate irrigation throughout the South nine holes and this resulted in a major setback that persisted through the winter. During the recent site visit, it was found that some changes had occurred, however several previously identified limiting situations and problems were also noted. While some selective vegetation thinning and removal has been performed, a lack of sunlight is still a major problem in a number of locations. When combined with the normal deterioration in the physical and performance characteristics of the primary play areas that has occurred over the years and the long time limitations in basic operating resources, there are major challenges to being able to provide consistent and acceptable course conditioning. It was pointed out by Mr. Tate that when Billy Casper Golf took over management of the club, an agronomic course management plan was put into place with the objective of reestablishing bermudagrass turf coverage through the primary play areas, along with reducing the high population of weeds. While certainly a reasonable strategy, without a significant increase in inputs (fertilizers, pesticides and cultural management practices), it will take several years to produce a marked improvement in overall course conditions. It would also be stressed that even with increased inputs, there are definite limitations to what can be accomplished with routine management programs and practices. Renovation and updating project work is needed to fully address all of the problems and ensure that an acceptable level of quality and conditioning can be provided going forward. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 2

3 PUTTING GREENS It is understood that on the North and West Course putting greens, TifGreen (328) is still the base turf, and Tifdwarf is the base turf on the South putting greens. Along with limitations in being able to provide a smooth, true ball roll and medium putting speed, development of areas of off-type bermudagrass contamination has long been a problem with both of these cultivars. While masked to some degree by the overseeding cover, it was still possible to observe a moderate to high percentage of surface contamination on the putting greens. Excessive thatch/organic matter accumulation, severely restricted internal drainage, and poor surface drainage characteristics are also limiting problems with the putting greens. In an effort to compensate for these problems and provide an acceptable play and aesthetic characteristic during the time when peak seasonal play is hosted, overseeding of the putting greens has been a routine practice at Fernandina Beach. Mr. Tate reported that it was requested to initiate the overseeding process in mid-september to try to provide a more acceptable condition by the mid-fall. With hot and humid conditions still occurring in mid-september, initial overseeding establishment was negatively impacted, and this early date also reduced the effectiveness of herbicide treatments conducted to control the winter annual weed Poa annua. Photos: A thin overseeding cover in combination with a high population of Poa annua on the putting greens was negatively affecting both play and aesthetic characteristics. It was further reported that the putting greens were overseeded with 5 lbs. of Poa trivialis per 1000 sq. ft. The objective with using a low seeding rate was to minimize the amount of stress and competition exerted on the base bermuda and in turn reduce transition problems that have historically been experienced in the late spring to early summer. Yet, the reduced stand density of the overseeding cover in combination with the bunch type growth habit of both Poa trivialis and Poa annua has resulted in an inconsistent and bumpy surface condition. Furthermore, the Poa annua seed heads and being able to see the underlying off-color bermuda is aesthetically detracting. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 3

4 SHORT TERM MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS For the short term, accomplishing a gradual yet complete transition out of the winter overseeding cover on the putting greens needs to be a primary objective. Bermudagrass growth will occur in response to average air temperatures of 70 and development of a soil temperature of 65 at a 4-inch depth. To support bermudagrass growth over the next six to eight weeks, increased fertilization is essential to maintain sufficient levels of available nutrients (see, SLAN Sufficiency Ranges and Recommendations) in the soil. It would be recommended to supply 0.3 to 0.5 lbs. of actual nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per week and a successful program used at many courses is alternating applications of a readily available nitrogen source with a complete type fertilizer. Also, to produce balanced bermudagrass growth and in particular maximum root system development, supplying nitrogen and potassium in a 1:1 ratio throughout the transition process is recommended. You should submit soil samples to a nutrient testing lab to determine if adjustments in the fertilization program are needed and/or if amendments such as lime should be applied. In conjunction with increased fertilization, maintaining a height of cut in the range of to inch is recommended to begin gradually thinning out the overseeding canopy so that more sunlight can reach the base bermuda. During the spring and early summer when limited cloud cover is typically occurring, both TifGreen and Tifdwarf can tolerate this height of cut range. Also to aid in thinning of the overseeding canopy as well as remove Poa annua seedheads, verticutting on a weekly basis would be recommended. It would be suggested that initially the verticutting blades be set equal to the effective height of cut of the putting greens. As the base bermuda of the putting greens becomes the dominant component of the turf cover, the depth of penetration of the verticutting process can be increased to inch below the height of cut. Care does need to be exercised not to mechanically damage bermudagrass stolons and/or thin out the overseeding cover at a rate faster than the base bermuda can fill in and maintain coverage. While a lot of golfers do not like to see any sand on putting greens, topdressing on an every 14-day interval with at least 1.0 cubic ft. of sand per 1000 sq. ft. will help fill in the voids in the turf canopy and in turn provide a smoother ball roll. The above practices should be continued until 85% to 95% bermudagrass turf coverage has been reestablished. With cooperation from the weather, the desired gradual yet complete transition can be accomplished, and improvements in both play and aesthetic character of the putting greens also realized. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 4

5 The possibility of making a sulfonylurea herbicide treatment on the putting greens to accomplish a rapid and complete transition was discussed but would not be recommended initially. This is because the rapid decline of the Poa trivialis and Poa annua would further negatively impact aesthetics and would also expose areas of weak and thin bermudagrass. However, if a moderate to high percentage of the overseeding cover and Poa annua are able to persist into mid to late May, chemical removal should be undertaken. The base bermuda of the putting greens needs to be provided a minimum of 100 growing days without competition to fully recover from the negative impacts of overseeding. If a transition aid herbicide is applied, initiation of the summertime core aeration program a couple of weeks later would be suggested to help mask the effects of the treatment and also stimulate increased bermudagrass growth. The putting green management program for the upcoming summer was discussed and I would concur that conducting a drill and fill aeration operation would be very beneficial. The greater depth of penetration of this process compared to standard aeration operations and backfilling the holes with sand will provide improved moisture infiltration and rootzone gas exchange. However, due to the reduced number of holes per sq. ft. produced by the drill and fill process, it is recommended that at least two standard coring replications with 0.5-inch or larger tines be conducted during the summer growing season. It would be suggested that consideration be given to conducting a coring two to three days after the deep drill process. Double aeration does cause more surface disruption initially, however it does not significantly increase the time required for recovery. If this approach is used, it is best performed in the early summer and the second coring operation should be performed in August to early September. It was also noted that aeration of the putting greens with small diameter solid tines had been being performed approximately every 90-days. Venting of the putting greens is a very beneficial process for increasing moisture infiltration and rootzone gas exchange with minimal surface disruption. However, the beneficial effects of this process only last for three to four weeks. More frequent venting of the putting greens during the fall, winter and spring months would be encouraged. This practice should not be conducted however, when nighttime temperatures in the mid-50 range or colder are expected because of the resulting more rapid soil heat loss. The articles, Going for the Gold with Bermudagrass Putting Greens, and Going for the Gold with Bermudagrass Greens Part 2, provide a basic review of management programs. With over half the strokes in a round of golf occurring on and around the putting greens, the condition of the approaches and surround areas also has an impact on perceptions Turf Advisory Service Report Page 5

6 of course quality. It would be strongly encouraged that increased attention also be given to the approach and surround areas to provide more acceptable conditioning and quality of the green complexes. As already discussed with the putting greens, accomplishment of a gradual yet complete transition out of the overseeding cover of these areas and using the same basic practices should also be a priority over the next six to eight weeks. However, it was found that earlier herbicide treatments conducted to reduce weed infestations had exposed areas with little or no underlying bermudagrass. I concur that sodding of these areas is needed to produce a more acceptable condition in a reasonable amount of time. As also discussed during the site visit, the use of Celebration bermudagrass rather than Tifway would be recommended because of the improved performance characteristics of this cultivar. PUTTING GREEN RECONSTRUCTION Even with ongoing adherence to agronomically sound and adequate basic management programs, the physical and performance characteristics of putting greens as well as other course features does progressively deteriorate. Thus, as with essentially all other physical assets, periodic renovation and updating of golf courses is necessary. As already noted, there are multiple agronomic problems and limiting situations with the putting greens at Fernandina Beach. Thus, regardless of inputs and practices, there will continue to be major challenges in providing an acceptable level of conditioning and quality in keeping with current day standards for a municipal or daily fee operation. Renovation, or more accurately, reconstruction of the putting greens is absolutely needed at Fernandina Beach. It would be pointed out that over the years in Florida, strip and till and no-till putting green renovation processes have been used. These are viable options for reestablishing a monostand turf cover and/or converting to a new bermudagrass cultivar. The no-till process has been especially popular because of the lower cost and reduced downtime compared to other renovation options. However, this does not allow for any structural modifications or improvements, and at Fernandina Beach this would be analogous to putting new carpet on a rotten subfloor. Simply regrassing of the putting greens would at best provide five to six years of improved conditions. Ideally, the putting greens should be completely rebuilt in accordance with the USGA s Recommendations for a Method of Putting Green Construction. At the very minimum, the putting greens should be excavated to a depth of 12-inches, followed by installation of sub-surface drainage lines and refilling the cavity with all new rootzone mix that meets USGA guidelines. Furthermore, design modifications to ensure good surface drainage as well as increase usable surface area is needed. At a later and more appropriate time and if so desired, I would be happy to discuss putting green reconstruction plans and specifications. As an additional comment, the logical approach with conducting any reconstruction and course improvement project work would be addressing nine holes at a time in the Turf Advisory Service Report Page 6

7 summer. With this, 18-holes would always be available to accommodate play demands. However, after two years, and having addressed two nines, consideration might be given to not renovating and closing the third nine because of the reduced number of rounds that are now being hosted. This however, would not mean that a significant operating budget reduction would be realized if adequate funds are to remain available for properly maintaining the remaining 18-holes. TEES, FAIRWAYS AND ROUGHS As with the putting greens, the tees and fairways were overseeded for the winter. It was reported that an overseeding rate of 250 lbs. of perennial ryegrass was used on the fairways. The goal was to minimize the amount of competition and stress exerted on the base bermuda. The lower seeding rate however, was not sufficient for providing a uniform and smooth playing surface. An additional consequence of the reduced stand density is the development of larger and more mature clumps of ryegrass because of the lack of interspecies competition. This will allow it to persist longer into the summer. Thus here too, with all of the overseeded areas, actively removing the ryegrass as soon as possible is needed to allow redevelopment of bermudagrass turf coverage on the tees and through the fairways. To begin the transition process, the height of cut of the overseeded areas should be reduced to 0.5-inch or slightly lower, and also a mowing frequency of at least three times per week should be practiced. Also, increased granular fertilization is needed and at least 0.5 to 1.0 lbs. of actual nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per month supplied during April, May and June. Once the base bermuda is actively growing, aeration and verticutting (if possible) should also be initiated. Limiting or stopping regular irrigation of the fairways and tees in an effort to accelerate the decline of the overseeding material would not be recommended, however. This is because this would also exert stress on the base bermuda and cause a setback in its growth. It would be strongly suspected that a good percentage of the ryegrass will be able to persist, and thus again the application of a transition aid herbicide on a fairly large scale basis could be required. Advising the golfers that this treatment is being conducted for the purpose of improving the quality of the bermudagrass would be a good idea for at least minimizing complaints about the temporary setback in the appearance of the fairways and tees. The primary objectives of the current agronomic management plan is again to produce a marked reduction in weeds and at the same time reestablish a healthier and better Turf Advisory Service Report Page 7

8 quality bermudagrass turf cover. It would be pointed out that eradication of weeds, or any other pest organism for that matter, is economically and environmentally impossible. Thus, a basic management philosophy of maintaining an acceptable level of control is needed, and especially in Florida this is an ongoing battle. Conducting a band application of simizine around the perimeters of the fairways and putting green complexes for pre and post-emergent weed control did reduce infestations; however, again, it also exposed areas of very weak and thin bermuda coverage. Also, with mild wintertime temperatures having been experienced up until that point, no doubt bermudagrass green up was beginning to occur and this resulted in an additional setback in the bermudagrass. While this older herbicide is one of the least expensive materials available, because of its potential phyto-toxicity to bermudagrass, its continued use would be strongly discouraged. An important first step in a successful pest management program is maintaining a dense and healthy base turf cover that is able to compete against weed invasion, tolerate higher levels of pest activity, and recover quickly when damage is experienced. This simply reiterates the importance of ongoing adherence to sound basic turf management practices and in particular adequate fertilization, irrigation and cultivation. Yet also, timely pesticide treatments must be conducted to maintain an acceptable level of control. With older golf courses such as Fernandina Beach, very large weed seed populations build up in the soil, and this results in a vicious and ongoing cycle of seed germination and weed invasion. To have any chance of breaking this cycle, it would be recommended that at least two and preferably three pre-emergent herbicide treatments be conducted annually. An aggressive post-emergent herbicide treatment program will also need to be conducted during the summer months to control existing established weeds. Photo: Shade, tree feeder roots and concentrated traffic are all limiting factors in many locations at Fernandina Beach Golf Club. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 8

9 Furthermore, to have any chance of being able to maintain a dense, healthy turf cover and acceptable conditions through the primary play areas, controlling other growth limiting factors is essential. A previously identified, but still existing major problem is heavy tree shade through many areas of the courses. The bermudagrasses are one of the least shade tolerant turf species used, and requires six to eight hours of direct sunlight to support sustained healthy growth. With very close cut turf areas such as putting greens, the minimum sunlight requirement is eight hours. Since the last site visit in 2007, some vegetation thinning and tree removal has been performed, but this is still a significant problem that needs to be addressed. I am aware that there are city ordinances that require permitting for tree removal as well as replanting. However, since the golf course is owned by the city, it would be suggested that a one-time variance for a year or two be pursued so that shade problems in critical primary play areas can be addressed. Trees are certainly an asset, but also an agronomic liability. It would also be suggested that an I-Phone/I-Pad application such as Sunseeker be used to determine where selected removal is most needed and to develop a plan that can be reviewed by the city arborist. An additional and overlooked problem associated with trees being immediately adjacent to turf areas is feeder root competition for available nutrients and moisture. The feeder roots of large mature trees extend well beyond the foliage drip line and directly compete with the turf for available nutrients and moisture. Thus, as discussed in the article, Getting to the Root of the Problem, a tree root pruning program in primary play areas is also needed. OTHER COMMENTS Along with a limited amount of vegetation thinning and tree removal, it was found that a new practice range tee and a few regular tees had been constructed, and most recently new sand has been installed in a few of the bunkers. The efforts that have been put forward to make improvements at Fernandina Beach certainly warrant recognition. Also, previous updating of the irrigation system did address a major limiting factor. However again, and even with adequate routine maintenance (which has not always been the case in the past), deterioration in the physical and performance characteristics of golf course features occurs over time. Based on the findings made during the recent site visit, tee and bunker renovation, along with reconstruction of the putting greens, are absolutely needed course updating and improvement needs. It is understood that a course improvement plan is being developed and will be presented to the city. Hopefully it will be possible to move forward on this much needed work in the very near future. In addition to the putting greens, tees and bunkers, conversion to a better adapted bermudagrass cultivar such as Celebration on the fairways, and increasing cart path coverage through the courses would be recommended. Turf Advisory Service Report Page 9

10 MAINTENANCE STANDARDS AND LONG RANGE PLANS Successful golf course operations do not happen by accident. USGA agronomists each visit over 100 golf courses every year of all sizes, shapes, and budgets. It is found that most operations, regardless of budget, all share one common characteristic. There is a clear vision of what they want to be and are characterized by excellent working relationships between the management, golfers, and the superintendent. To help realize their vision, these operations develop long range plans and maintenance standards. To maximize the dollars spent on the golf course, it is recommended that a written Long Range Plan and set of maintenance standards be created. Outlined below are steps to get you started in this process. Please see the article, Setting Standards, for additional information. The following steps are helpful in the development of maintenance standards for the golf course: 1. Define expectations for the golf course. This requires an open dialog between management and the superintendent. It is important to establish a priority ranking of the playing areas. There will be differences in opinion, but compromises can be offered until all parties arrive at a consensus. The golf course is going to be managed in some fashion, so it is possible and beneficial to work through any differences in opinion. 2. Develop an agronomic program to meet these objectives. The superintendent and USGA Green Section are excellent sources of information for this plan. Additional information is available at your request. 3. Make sure funding and staff can meet these objectives. Reallocate resources from lower priority areas, change the budget or staff size, or reduce the level of expectations to meet these objectives. 4. Implement the plan. Implementing maintenance objectives and a Long Range Plan will benefit your course in several ways. First, the budget will be spent as efficiently as possible. Priorities will be well defined and inefficient use of resources will drop dramatically. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Click on the links below to be taken directly to the article and/or video. Articles: Made in the Shade or Mud in the Shade? Man s Friend or Golf s Enemy Making A Change Determining the Need for Reconstruction Turf Advisory Service Report Page 10

11 Videos/Webcasts: Winter Overseeding Transition Management CONCLUSION This concludes the summary of the major topics of discussion during the visit and tour of your golf course. If any questions arise concerning this visit, the report, or any other area, please call our office. We are here to help. We look forward to working with you in the future and seeing how things progress. Sincerely, John H. Foy Director, Florida Region USGA Green Section Turf Advisory Service Report Page 11