Turf Scouting Report, June 14th

Extreme might be the best word to describe this week. Precipitation events and non-events have been dominant for our golf courses all over the region this week. The volumes and more importantly the time period that the precipitation fell over have been problematic to say the least. Steady rainfall and dark wet days might be more associated with the Emerald Isle but in actuality 'soft' rains tend to wet the ground much more thoroughly and give the soil profile time to push water through rather than ponding. This week it has been far from 'soft' rain. At Sunshine Course in Lemont on 6/9 - 6/10 we had 0.6" of rain overnight which returned the soil profile to saturation. However as I found out that evening the variations in the regions were dramatic. Reports of 0 to 1.4" across the region came in with drying conditions north of the city turning to trashed bunkers and standing water on the south side. The storms that passed through 6/12-6/13 also had dramatic variations. Unfortunately Joliet had 2" but colleagues up at Makray Memorial had 0.4" and no damage. This leads to large volumes of run off and soil erosion - however from an environmental standpoint turfgrass has proven vital to water filtering and negating soil erosion. Thus it is always important to have your turfgrass in optimal condition at all times.

On the up side it is US Open week and already Merion has been eating them up. One other event coming up for us in the Chicagoland is the Encompass Championship (June 17-23) and if you get the chance go out and support the work at North Shore CC.


Click here to view the June 14, 2013 Scouting Report.

As always if you have a question or query please do not hesitate to ask and you can call or email.

Ed Nangle PhD
Director of Turfgrass Programs
Chicago District Golf Association
www.cdgaturf.org
Follow us on Twitter @TurfResearch