Short Game Re-Grassing Notice

After consultations with our USGA agronomist, Dave Oatis, and the Grounds Committee, we have decided to begin the re-grassing of our short game fairway. Our current fairway consists of older varieties of creeping bentgrass such as Penncross. These older varieties are vastly inferior to newer, fourth generation bentgrass varieties. Older varieties have a much coarser blade, have a tendency for excessive thatch accumulation, and have inferior disease resistance and drought tolerance. Transitioning to a newer bentgrass variety will improve the look and playability of our short game facility. It will also help us reduce both fungicide and water usage. Last but certainly not least, this transition will greatly reduce our contamination of weeds such as annual bluegrass, rough bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.

The ideal timing for this re-grassing process is typically early August. Once temperatures begin to drop there is a higher chance of Poa annua germination during the grow-in. There will always be a small percentage of Poa annua germination, this is not avoidable, however beginning the process before September will help minimize weed emergence.

Traffic will be restricted from this area during the grow-in phase. The grow-in phase will take anywhere from 3-6 weeks depending on the weather and growing conditions. This area will be closed until further notice. We appreciate your patience during this process.

Anthony Tosh

Grounds Superintendent