United States Golf Association Mid-Atlantic Region Green Section 1910 Cochran Road Manor Oak One, Suite 410 Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (412) 341-5922, FAX (412) 341-5954 USGA GREEN SECTION TURF ADVISORY SERVICE REPORT SEWICKLEY HEIGHTS GOLF CLUB Sewickley, Pennsylvania March 21, 2012 PRESENT: David Winsko, President Mike Weir, Green Committee Chairman John Sobecki, General Manager Travis Livingston, Golf Course Superintendent Tom Marzolf, Golf Course Architect Keith Happ, USGA Senior Agronomist
INTRODUCTION The following report is offered to summarize the major points of discussion during our first half of full day visit to Sewickley Heights Golf Club, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Observations and suggestions/recommendations made during our tour of your facility will be presented in this report. The purpose of our visit was to evaluate the condition of the newly rebuilt greens. The First, Tenth and Twelfth greens were examined both above and below ground. It is safe to say that the grow-in process is progressing well. Surface density has been achieved and this is an important first step toward achieving maturity however, the grass is extremely fragile at this time and will remain so for some time. It will take time for the turf to develop to the point that it will sustain play to any degree. Simply put, the roots are extremely weak, the grass is extremely fragile but growth is occurring supported by the weather we have been experiencing. Day length is more important than any other factor. Days are becoming longer offering more sunlight to develop the new turf. A portion of our time was spent discussing the potential opening date for these surfaces. The club has invested significantly in the improved playing characteristics and qualities of these greens. Do not compromise your investment! Opening prior to these 2
surfaces being able to support sustained play will not provide a fair opportunity to evaluate moving forward with additional putting green renovation. The new grasses will perform quite well but they have to reach a level of maturity to tolerate golf. Once the grow in program has been completed the maintenance program can then be implemented. Opening in very late May or early June is recommended. The weather will dictate what can be achieved. The following comments as well as suggestions are offered for your consideration. PLANT HEALTH Soil Profile 1. One and half to two and half inches of root mass were exhibited at the time of our visit. While this is progress, this is a far cry from healthy mature root structures. Included is a photograph of a mature system following a successful grow in. It is not unrealistic to enjoy 7 to 10 inches of root mass on new bentgrasses. This can be accomplished and it will take time this spring. Regimented grow-in programs must 3
continue for this to occur. The key is time and more importantly, patience with regards to preparing these surfaces for the members of Sewickley Heights Golf Club. The image above is of a new A-4 bentgrass green from central Pennsylvania. This profile illustrates what a mature root mass presents. This is 8 plus inches of healthy new root mass. The turf is mowed at 0.120 inches. 2. Fertilizing the new greens with a controlled release product was recommended. If possible consider treating with a Nutralene nitrogen source. This is a controlled release product that can be utilized in combination with readily available nitrogen sources. Nitrogen is a key catalyst that will stimulate the uptake of other nutrients that are in the profile. Treating at 3/4 lb. of actual nitrogen per thousand sq. ft. (50 percent Nutralene minimum) was recommended. This should be performed in addition to your weekly applications of foliar nitrogen nutrition. 2. The need for other nutrient adjustments or amendments can be evaluated after your soil test results are returned. It is critical to utilize soil testing procedures to evaluate the 4
true needs of the turf. This is particularly important for phosphorous. While phosphorous is important for root mass and root vigor it can only be applied once indicated by your soil test results. Please feel free to submit a copy of the results to our office for further interpretation. 3. Manganese sulfate can be applied to strengthen the root mass, offering a chlorophyll enhancement effect thus contributing to carbohydrate development in the root structures. Treating at a rate of 2 lbs. of actual manganese sulfate per thousand sq. ft. was recommended. A treatment sometime in late March or early April should work quite well. We will be able to evaluate the response from this treatment during our return visit later this spring. Surface Management 1. Using soft bristle brooms, begin the process of standing the new juvenile turf erect. Brushing should be performed before mowing tactics are utilized. Soft bristle brooms will help to position the turf for mowing allowing for enhance tillering development. It is critical that surface density be maximized as we enter into the warmer times of the season. There is a limited opportunity to prepare these new surfaces and the juvenile turf for the summer season. Brush at least twice a week. 5
2. Begin the process of gradually reducing mowing heights. The goal, and the maintenance strategy for the season, is to maintain the turf at a mowing height of approximately 0.125 inches. Incremental adjustments will have to be performed (at different stages) on the new greens. The Twelfth green is much more mature than the other 2 surfaces. It will take time for the First green to develop similarly to the other areas. It is by far your weakest green and this is a function of the seeding tines rather than any agronomic programs that have been performed. As discussed, begin the process of dropping the mower height (effective field performance) to 0.140 inches. 3. Infrequent use of your rollers will also help contribute to the development of the new turf. It will help to smooth the surface making it much less susceptible to minor bruises and abrasions when mowing heights are reduced. The Twelfth and Tenth greens were rolled at the time of our visit. The First green has not yet developed to the point that it will tolerate this rolling practice. In time all of the surfaces will be treated in the same manner. 4. Treating the new greens with growth regulating products on an every other week basis was recommended. Treat at a rate of 10 to 12 oz. of actual Trimmit (Paclobutrazol) per acre. This will offer a mechanism by which to control topgrowth while still allowing for maximum root growth and development within the soil. This will also provide a mechanism by which to control any developing Poa annua that may invade these new surfaces. 5. A degree of site specific topdressing application will need to be performed on the new greens. The slopes and outside perimeters of the greens may have to be treated slightly more aggressively with topdressing to minimize any potential for bruising or wounding when regular mowing is performed. During our visit the greens were responding quite well to the mowing practices. Machines were well adjusted, sharp and were delivering the desired effect. Do not back off on the intensity with which these mowing and topdressing programs will be utilized this spring. ROUGH 1. It will be important to maintain an element of regimented fertility on all of the new bluegrass utilized around the new green complexes. The bluegrass will require a minimum of 3 lbs. of actual nitrogen per thousand sq. ft. per season. It will be important to fertilize the new turf this spring to minimize any potential of sod transplant shock. Urea or ammonium sulfate will work quite well for these treatments. GENERAL COMMENTS 1. Worth discussing is the strategy for when the putting green surfaces are eventually open for play. During the early stages of use, it will be very important to manage traffic stress on these new surfaces. Exit entrance points for example should be altered as frequently as possible to minimize the potential of any damage from focused traffic patterns. Walk on walk off entrance exit points to the greens should be rotated in a very 6
regimented fashion. Do not allow traffic coming on and off the greens to predispose the turf before summer season. CONCLUSION This concludes our summary of the major topics of discussion during our visit and tour of your golf course. If any questions arise concerning this visit, our report, or any other area, please feel free to call our office. We are here to help. We look forward to working with you again in the future and seeing how things progress. Sincerely, Keith A. Happ Senior Agronomist KAH:ljn Mike Weir, Green Committee Chairman Travis Livingston, Golf Course Superintendent 7