Turf Scouting Report, October 29th

Oct. 29, 2010 Scouting Report
Rain Came: Second Hard Frost, Heavy jacket weather, Rust research, Tim says Triclopyr, and Nick impresses us with QR 

Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle -
Windchill. Well, it was going to happen sooner or later. This year it was Thursday, Oct. 28. On that day, yesterday, a substantial overcoat was required if outdoors. I was. Daytime highs only warmed into the 40s and how about those pesky winds. I used three coats - I believe in layers. The point is, our autumn temperatures just dropped to a more normal state. Until this week, we had avoided the usual cloudy, cold, and wet October (Ahh, the memories of 2009). This year, rainfall seemed to avoid the landscape all together and only leaves were dropping - we did enjoy mild temperatures without rain drops. Likity-split, necessary course projects were completed. For example, untold miles of necessary drainage tile now bejewels the subterrainean world of greens and fairways. Nematodes and the rest of the microbial rootzone world can now enjoy better health with turf the next time an overly wet summer season floods Chicago courses. 

Back to my three jackets. The trifecta was on my upper torso as we began an investigation on rust - we'll see if something comes of it. Rust has continued to be in the news in part because dry conditions have meant turfgrass growth in lawns and golf roughs remains slow. Hence the potential for recovery remains low. Unirrigated, turf has remained dormant to semi-dormant in October until recently. I am back to collecting jackets in Chicago from here on out. Windchill. 

Click here to view the complete Oct. 29, 2010 Scouting Report. 

Enjoy your weekend of mild temperature and less wind... 

Derek Settle, PhD 
Director of Turfgrass Program 
Chicago District Golf Association 
11855 Archer Ave 
Lemont, IL 60439
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