News and Updates

To the membership-

In preparation for the course work this fall, we are eradicating common bermudagrass around bunkers and in green surrounds.

Common bermudagrass—you might know it as wire grass—is an extremely difficult-to-control grassy weed in our area. We have a great deal of it in our roughs and in some areas, it has started to encroach on our tees and fairways. If you have noticed grass pop up several inches or even feet into a bunker, this is probably common bermudagrass.

There is currently no selective herbicide (a herbicide that will kill bermudagrass but will not harm the desirable turf) that can be used to effectively control this weed. As such, it is necessary to use non-selective herbicides (herbicides that kill both the weeds and the desirable turf) to control it. You may remember a couple of seasons ago when we killed square areas in 14 fairway and then sodded it out. These areas were large, dead squares for several months before we installed the new turf. This is because a single application of herbicide is not enough to kill this invasive weed. It must be done repeatedly, and each application must be done several weeks apart.

Because of the measures involved in the treatment of this plant, as well as a lack of negative member feedback about its presence on the course, I have never placed a large emphasis on controlling it in the roughs. I believe there would be far more member dissatisfaction with the control method and re-grassing process than there is with current conditions of these areas. We have an old property that is not “pure” as some new golf courses are referred to. I have embraced that, and our team's focus is far more on how the course plays rather than how it looks.

That being said, I also believe that we need to do everything we can to make our off-season bunker project a success. We have many areas where the surface is being converted (ie-rough to approach, rough to bunker, bunker to rough). The bermudagrass has deep vegetative plant material (stems) that if not properly controlled, will contaminate our new work within just a few seasons. This includes encroaching into the new bunkers as well as popping up in new bentgrass green surrounds.

I realize that this is not a universally popular decision. We will have dead grass on select bunkers and in some green surrounds from the beginning of August until they are sodded in the fall and winter. The Green Committee weighed their options and decided that this short-term reduction in the aesthetics of the golf course was worth giving us the best chance at a great long-term product. This process will not affect the playability of the course at all, as these areas will be considered ground under repair and players are granted free relief.

We thank you for your patience and support while continue to improve the golf course.

Fairways and Greens,

Brandon Collins
Golf Course Superintendent