A Publication on Turfgrass Management by the United States Golf Association® September/October 1989 USGA Green Section USGA EDITORS: William H. Bengeyfield James T. Snow MANAGING EDITOR: Robert Sommers ART EDITOR: Diane Chrenko Becker Vol. 27, No. 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 GREEN SECTION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: F. Morgan Taylor, Jr. P.O. Box 758 Hobe Sound, Fla. 33455 NATIONAL DIRECTOR: William H. Bengeyfield P.O. Box 3375 Tustin, Calif. 92681 (714) 544-4411 GREEN SECTION AGRONOMISTS AND OFFICES: Northeastern Region: United States Golf Association, Golf House Far Hills, N.J. 07931 • (201) 234-2300 James T. Snow, Director Tim P. Moraghan, Agronomist James E. Skorulski, Agronomist James Connolly, Agronomist • (203) 456-4537 Mid-Atlantic Region: P.O. Box 2105 West Chester, Pa. 19380 • (215) 696-4747 Stanley J. Zontek, Director David A. Oatis, Agronomist Southeastern Region: P.O. Box 95 Griffen, Ga. 30224 • (404) 229-8125 Patrick M. O’Brien, Director 8908 S.E. Colony Street Hobe Sound, Fla. 33455 John H. Foy, Agronomist • (407) 546-2620 Great Lakes Region: 8727 North Deerwood Drive Brown Deer, Wis. 53209 • (414) 354-2203 James M. Latham, Jr., Director Mid-Continent Region: 300 Sharron Drive, Waco, Texas 76710 • (817) 776-0765 James F. Moore, Director Western Region: P.O. Box 3375 Tustin, Calif. 92681 • (714) 544-4411 Larry W. Gilhuly, Director Paul Vermeulen, Agronomist Green Section RECORD Playing Host to a Championship Can Benefit Your Course! by Tim P. Moraghan More Transition Zone Blues by Dr. Mike Kenna 9 Extending the Life of Bunker Sands by James T. Snow Golf Course Construction: A Rip-Off in the Making? by Louis E. Miller _ All Things Considered: / Consider Poa annua For Your New Green by Paul Vermeulen Back T . . „ Turf Twisters Cover ©1989 by United States Golf Association®. Permission to reproduce articles or material in the USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD is granted to publishers of newspapers and periodicals (unless specifically noted otherwise), provided credit is given the USGA and copyright protection is afforded. To reprint material in other media, written permission must be obtained from the USGA. In any case, neither articles nor other material may be copied or used for any advertising, promotion or commercial purposes. GREEN SECTION RECORD (ISSN 0041-5502) is published six times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November by the UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION®, Golf House, Far Hills, N.J. 07931. Subscriptions and address changes should be sent to the above address. Articles, photographs, and correspondence relevant to published material should be addressed to: United States Golf Association Green Section, Golf House, Far Hills, N.J. 07931. Second class postage paid at Far Hills, N.J., and other locations. Office of Publication, Golf House, Far Hills, N.J. 07931. Subscriptions $9 a year. Foreign subscriptions $12 a year. Teamwork and crew unity: two key ingredients in the success of a major championship. The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts. Playing Host to a Championship Can Benefit Your Course! by TIM P. MORAGHAN Agronomist for Championships, USGA Green Section 66 f ■ ^HE PUTT is on its way . . . it looks good . . . it’s in! -JL Curtis Strange has just made birdie on the 16th green to take the lead in the 1989 U.S. Open.” The excitement of watching a major championship can start a golfer’s adren­ aline flowing. As people sit around the television at the 19th hole, they some­ times wonder what it would be like for their club to play host to a champion­ ship; what it would mean for them and what their club would receive for its efforts. They might also wonder if their course layout is of championship caliber, and how they should go about securing one of the USGA’s 12 national championships for their course. Finding out is really not so difficult. A club official should contact the championship department of the USGA with a phone call or letter expressing interest in a particular event. A USGA representative then contacts the club and might visit the course to discuss the requirements and options with the club officials. If both parties agree, a formal letter of invitation is then sent from the club to the USGA Championship Committee, which considers the invi­ tation and accepts or declines it. Whether a club hosts the U.S. Open or one of the other USGA events, its membership can expect to gain much from the championship for all its hard work and sacrifice. The benefits are usually both tangible and intangible, from a new esprit de corps to a fresh coat of paint for the clubhouse. The benefits to the golf course and the main­ tenance program, though, can be many, and they are the focus of this discussion. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 1 The benefit to the club and course often begins with an increase in mem­ bership unity. The goal of working to­ ward the success of an enormous under­ taking can create new friendships and a spirit of cooperation. People who might never get to know others in their club are now working side by side on a common interest. Many of the members are also in a position to work with the maintenance staff and become familiar with their special concerns and problems. The relationships forged during the preparation for a champion­ ship can have a positive impact on the maintenance program for many years to come. For the Green Committee and main­ tenance staff, hosting a USGA event offers the rewarding challenge of bringing each facet of the maintenance program into peak performance for a single week, during which time the nation’s best golfers compete with the course and each other for that elusive national championship. After play is done and a champion determined, there is usually recognition that the changes and modifications to the course and the maintenance program will continue to benefit the golfers at that course long into the future. A beneficial aspect of hosting a cham­ pionship is the knowledge gained on how to manage the golf course through a limited period of stress. The stress comes in various forms, including mini­ mal irrigation of greens and fairways, an increase in the number of cuttings of all turfed areas and, in some cases, an increase in wear and tear caused by player traffic. Most superintendents are surprised to discover just how much the turf can take when it is adequately prepared. The experience of managing turf “on the edge” for a week in mid­ summer can prove invaluable when pre­ paring for club events in the future. THE USGA believes that a champion­ ship course should provide a chal­ lenging but fair test of golf, requiring the golfer to use all of his skills during a round. To produce a course that meets these specifications, certain changes usually have to be made in the mainte­ nance program. Beginning with the putting surfaces, the concept of firm, fast greens is a very important consideration. The firmness of the greens should be such that they hold a properly struck golf shot from the fairway, yet not be so receptive to a flier shot from the rough. Also, developing fast greens without risking 2 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD the loss of turf requires much advance work. Changes in certain cultural practices, such as aerification and topdressing, may be needed, and here is where a club can begin to benefit from the championship. Achieving quality playing conditions to challenge some of the world’s best golfers often requires additions to the equipment inventory. An important change for some courses is the switch to walk-behind greensmowers. These courses, which may have been reluctant to abandon their triplex mowers in the past, find that hosting a championship provides a good reason to change. When the switch is made, they often see a significant change in the trueness and consistency of the putting surfaces and an improvement in their appearance. Among the benefits to the turf are a closer, tighter cut, the elimination of hydraulic oil spills, a reduction in com­ paction to the collar area where triplex mowers previously turned, and the elimination of the triplex ring. The Peachtree Golf Club, in Atlanta, Georgia, host of the 1989 Walker Cup competition, wanted to have the best possible putting surfaces for this event. This desire prompted a change from riding triplex mowers to walk-behind units. The golf course superintendent agreed to the change and felt it would be in the best interest of the greens. However, there needed to be an increase in labor and equipment for transport and maintenance. After reviewing this dilemma with the Green Committee, the extra labor and supplies were added to the budget. This change is one that pro­ duced better conditions for the cham­ pionship itself and for the membership after the players had gone. Perhaps the greatest dilemma that faces a golf course superintendent in preparation for a championship is to achieve the desired green speed without sacrificing turf quality. Fast greens inevitably have less grass on them than slower greens, making them more susceptible to a wide array of stress problems. A relatively new piece of equipment that has become something of a requisite for developing cham­ pionship greens is the turf groomer available for today’s putting green mowers. This unit allows the super­ intendent to achieve fast green speeds without having to lower mowers to an unreasonable height. The groomers re­ move the excess leaf tissue and reduce the grain that is a common problem in reaching the desired speed. Championships and summer go hand in hand. With pleasant days come higher temperatures, though, and the inevitable concern about wilting and the effects of heat stress on greens. Irri­ gation is an important issue in any maintenance program, and when a championship is held it is put on the critical list. Given the importance of firm, fast greens for the event, it is essential to prepare well in advance. The weeks and months preceding the championship are ideal to learn how your greens respond under a minimal irrigation regime. By charting the putting surfaces you can get an idea of their individual growth characteristics. Locating the primary hot spots and noting the areas of the greens that hold moisture provide a good basis for establishing a customized irrigation program. With patience and per­ severance you can learn to manage the putting suraces through light hand watering, syringing, and proper use of the automatic irrigation system. During the championship, irrigation will be held to a minimum, just enough to keep the grass alive through the event. When it is over, you will have acquired a better appreciation of how to properly man­ age greens under stress conditions. MANY of the clubs that host USGA championships are older, tradi­ tional courses built in an era when con­ struction methods were based on instinct rather than scientific principles. Greens were often built with a clay base to ensure good moisture retention, an asset in the 1920s but not today. Other greens were built with extreme contours that cannot accommodate the green speeds achieved for championship play today. Where agronomic or playability problems are severe, some courses find that playing host to a USGA champion­ ship is a good excuse for resurfacing or rebuilding some or all of their greens or other course features. For example, Laurel Valley Golf Club, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, host of the 1989 U.S. Senior Open, not only rebuilt all of its greens, but also many tees, fairways, and bunkers. In less drastic situations, where total reconstruction is not neces­ sary, maintenance program changes such as deep-tine aerification, sand top­ dressing, or the installation of a supple­ mental perimeter irrigation system could upgrade the course for the cham­ pionship and for the membership there­ after. Greens usually receive the closest attention when preparing for a cham- construction typically involves the use of a modified soil/sand topmix, the in­ stallation of drainage, and increasing the usable teeing area to correspond to the annual number of rounds played at the course. A standard rule of thumb for tee enlargement requires 100 square feet of usable teeing area for every 1,000 rounds of golf on par-4 and par-5 holes, and 200 square feet of usable area per 1,000 rounds on par-3 holes. Sometimes, the most important change concerning tees at older cham­ pionship sites is the thinning and removal of nearby trees. These leafy sentinels that frame the tees can grow to enormous heights, blocking out much of the available sunlight, in­ hibiting air circulation, and producing roots that compete with the turf for moisture and nutrients. As their limbs gradually expand over the years, they also rob valuable teeing surface by interfering with shots on one or both sides of the tee. In preparation for the championship, overhanging limbs that interfere with play can be pruned off. To improve the turf on the tee surface below, a thorough pruning of the tree canopy is usually scheduled to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation. In many instances, the removal of cer­ tain overcrowded trees improves turf growth while allowing the remaining specimens to thrive and grow to a more natural form. To complete the process, tree root pruning is done to further enhance turf growth on the tee. This usually involves the use of a trencher or backhoe to sever the tree roots, followed by the installation of a barrier along the wall of the trench prior to backfilling. GOOD championship fairway turf is tight and firm, enabling the con­ testants to place adequate backspin on Attention to every detail is a must! pionship, but tees are very important features and should be addressed as well. It is essential that surfaces be firm, level, and large enough to accommo­ date play. Producing a good-quality teeing surface involves many of the same cultural practices used on greens, such as deep-tine or traditional aerifi­ cation to break up compacted soil, improve surface and internal drainage, and increase rooting potential. Top­ dressing, overseeding, and a proper fer­ tilization program are also important. A beneficial change at many courses is the switch from triplex mowing to the use of walk-behind units, a practice that often stays with the club after the event is over. IN PREPARING for a USGA cham­ pionship, some courses find that their tees are quite uneven. Their response usually involves removing the existing sod, bringing the base to an appropriate grade, and reestablishing turf by way of seed or sod. If it also happens that the tees are too small or poorly drained, then total re­ construction and enlarging is some­ times undertaken. However, many tees are barely more than pushed-up mounds of poor soil that are small in size and don’t function too well. To eliminate headaches during the event, reconstruction of certain problem tees or all tees to be used during the cham­ pionship is a beneficial solution. Re- the ball to hold their approach shots to firm, fast greens. A !4" cutting height is usually required, and thatch must be kept to an absolute minimum if firm conditions are to prevail. Developing top-quality fairway turf is much easier than it used to be since the advent of lightweight mowing and clipping removal programs. Indeed, fairway conditions today can prac­ tically reach putting green conditions of 20 years ago. Today’s triplex or five- gang fairway mowers have so improved playing quality that they are a must for cutting fairways for any major event. Once the club has invested in this program and has seen the results, there will be no turning back to alternative SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 3 (Right top) Trees or turf grass! Few championships are played out of trees. Air circulation and sunlight are the choice for quality turfgrass. (Right below) The final product. . . to enjoy for the championship and for years thereafter. means of mowing. The benefits of these lightweight mowers are many: less soil compaction, reduced disease incidence, and a decrease in irrigation require­ ments. Continued use of lightweight mowers almost invariably produces more bentgrass and a reduction in Poa annua in the fairways, much to the delight of most golf course super­ intendents. Another fairway change that often accompanies the championship in­ volves their contours and landing zone widths. Fairway landing area widths for some USGA events typically range be­ tween 27 and 35 yards, depending on hole length and difficulty. This change affords the opportunity to do some con­ touring of the fairways and to highlight their prominent features, enhancing both the appearance and playability of the fairways. After The Country Club agreed to host the 1988 U.S. Open, many major changes were made on the course. Some were very visible, including the recon­ struction of several greens. Others were not as noticeable, but were critical to the long-term maintenance of the course. An important change was the instal­ lation of a computerized irrigation system. Good water control is essential during Open week, and it is just as critical for daily maintenance through­ out the season. Always a subject for debate at the 19th hole or in conjunction with a championship is the condition of the sand bunkers. They can be too soft, resulting in fried-egg lies, or too hard, allowing the clubface to bounce off the hardpan and skull a shot across the green and into the rough. Sand replace­ ment and bunker renovation can be a costly program, and one that is put off for too many years. Playing host to a championship, though, often provides the stimulus to follow through with this work. 4 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD For example, if bunker design has been compromised over the years by sand buildup, misuse of the mechanical sand rake, or indifferent edging tech­ niques, the club may choose to restore their original size and shape with some advice from a golf course architect. Other important work might include the installation of drainage in all bunkers to insure quick removal of water during wet weather. Old sand is often removed and replaced with good­ quality material, meeting depth require­ ments of 4 to 6 inches for the base and 2 to 3 inches on slopes and faces. Also, steep grass faces that have become worn down by player traffic or sand buildup are often refaced with new sod. Finally, many courses take this opportunity to eliminate or relocate bunkers that are out of play and have no aesthetic value. aVE OF THE MORE controversial and misunderstood aspects of championship play is the rough. It can be too penal or not challenging enough, depending on your viewpoint. Some­ times the roughs play an insignificant role when they are cut too short, when the fairways are too wide, or when they go without rainfall or irrigation for too long a period. When preparing for a championship, the establishment of a challenging yet consistent rough turf is the goal. The USGA’s view is that the rough turf should be at a height and density to cause significant concern to the player, but not so difficult that the player has to use a wedge to move the ball sideways back into play. When fairway landing zones are nar­ rowed for a championship, a corre­ sponding change is made in the roughs. If the fairways are primarily bentgrass and Poa annua, then the new rough areas will develop into thick, matted bent/Poa turf. These areas typically become scalped, diseased, and clumpy, producing an unsightly and unsatis­ factory rough. When bent/Poa turf problems or other inconsistencies exist, a renovation program is usually recommended. If the championship is just a year or two away and there is no time for more intensive renovation work, the bent/ Poa turf is treated with Roundup, dead leaf and thatch tissue is scalped down, and the areas are then cultivated heavily and overseeded with a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue. Areas that are not too large are sometimes stripped and sodded to blue­ grass. This work highlights the lighter color of green on the fairways while creating improved playing conditions for the golfers. After grasses have been introduced into the roughs, the next step is to properly maintain this turf. Change often begins with good equipment. Reel mowers may have served their purpose for shorter-cut rough turf, but they usually don’t produce a good-quality cut at the higher height required for the championship. The change to rotary mowers produces a more upright, uni­ form cut and a better playing surface. These units are lighter and have better traction and maneuverability than pull­ gang reel mowers, reducing the amount of damage done to tree trunks and sharply sloped banks. Some courses choose to upgrade their irrigation sys­ tems to ensure coverage of in-play rough areas for the championship. The installation of double- or triple-row fairway systems continues to benefit the course far into the future. 66 HAT’S WRONG with that ▼ ▼ tree? It’s never been a problem before!” is a comment that is heard too often today. Trees, like children, grow up too fast, and what once seemed an ideal planting can eventually grow to outrageous proportions. Trees can serve many useful functions on golf courses, but they can also become a real detri­ ment to the health of nearby turf and the playability of the course. Such trees need to be addressed, and a champion­ ship is a good excuse to do something about them. As trees grow near tees, greens, and fairways, they often block the pene­ tration of sunlight to the turf surface. Selective limb pruning may be all that’s necessary to improve turf growth, but occasionally a few trees must be re­ moved. Tree work of this type can also benefit the turf by increasing air circu­ lation through the area. Trees can affect turf from beneath the surface, too, with their roots competing with the turf for moisture and nutrients. Greens, tees, fairways, and roughs can all be affected, especially during periods of dry weather. When it appears that tree root competition is contributing to the decline of nearby turf, a root-prun­ ing program is recommended. A vibra­ tory plow is often used along fairways and roughs, where trenching would be too time consuming. Finally, tree limb interference was mentioned earlier as a common prob­ lem around tees. It is also common on approach shots to greens or on exit shots from sand bunkers, and pruning work is usually recommended. Good drainage is important to any golf course, whether or not there is a championship to be played. The ability to remove excess water from the course during periods of heavy rains is essential for maintaining firm, consistently good­ quality turf for the championship or for regular play. When drainage is a ques­ tion mark, one of the first priorities should be drainage installation. Sand bunkers and fairway landing areas usually receive the first attention, but the program could encompass many other areas if time and resources are available. Indeed, drainage installation could be one of the greatest benefits to the club through its involvement with a championship. THE WORK required to transform your course into the site of a championship increases the work load of both crew and equipment. The saying “I thought it ran forever!” cannot be applied to either the staff or the machines. In anticipation of this work, many clubs need to take a serious look at upgrading their equipment inventory and increasing the size of the crew. For events where financial gains will be realized, the renovation or rebuilding of an unsuitable maintenance facility is a feasible possibility. When golfers witness the improve­ ments made on the course in conjunc­ tion with the championship prepara­ tions, they are often willing to sustain many of the programs long after the event. In addition to these positive effects, many golf course superinten­ dents report that they come out of the championship with a better crew, who pick up some good training and discipline in the process. If it sounds as though your course could benefit from these changes, or if your club just wants to give something back to the game of golf, consider playing host to a USGA championship. The short-term benefits are gratifying, but the resulting changes can benefit the course and the membership for many years to come. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 5 More Transition Zone Blues by DR. MIKE KENNA Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Oklahoma State University THERE IS NOTHING more frus­ trating than losing large stands of turfgrass due to climatic con­ ditions that cannot be controlled. In the transition zone, though, this is a fact of life. Each year, in some location, golf course turf is lost simply because it is just too hot or too cold. This was the situation facing golf courses in the spring of 1989 throughout northeastern Oklahoma — another verse of the “transition zone blues.” This year it was bermudagrass tees and fairways that suffered from abnor­ mal climatic events during the five- month period from December through April. Winterkill varied from the loss of entire fairways to isolated injury in areas that experienced additional stress due to excessive shade, traffic, and soil moisture, or exposure to cold, dry winds. The abnormal weather began in December, when temperatures averaged 1 to 3.5 degrees below normal. January temperatures, on the other hand, aver­ aged 4.8 to 7.2 degrees above normal. In fact, January ranked as the tenth warm­ est since records have been kept. Day and night temperatures for mid­ January varied by as much as 45 degrees due to clear skies, a dry air mass, and minimal wind activity. The unusually warm winter weather brought out golfers in record number, putting additional rounds on dormant bermudagrass tees and fairways. The effects of compaction and stress on the bermudagrass cannot be fully mea­ sured, but it certainly did not help. Moreover, the warm weather, with temperatures reaching 69 degrees to 76 degrees on several occasions, may have induced some initial metabolic changes that occur when turf begins to break dormancy. February brought a completely dif­ ferent set of weather conditions when one of the coldest arctic air masses on record entered the state on February 1. The thermometer plunged 15 to 25 degrees in a few hours during the middle of the day, and record-breaking low temperatures were recorded for several days. The entire month remained ab­ normally cold and was recorded as the sixth coldest February in the last 98 years. March did not provide much relief. Widely undulating temperatures pro­ duced a monthly temperature average that was only slightly above normal, but it included periods of harsh cold, heavy snowfall, temperature highs in the 90s, and many daily periods of freezing and thawing. The daily and weekly swings Heavy shade cast by large trees reduces the ability of bermudagrass to survive cold winters. 6 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD plants growing under marginal con­ ditions (e.g., shade, traffic, poor drain­ age) throughout the affected courses were depleted, and only a few crowns in any of the affected areas were able to recover. THE WEATHER for the five- month period from December 1988 to April 1989 was very abnormal and contributed greatly to the subsequent loss of turf on many courses. It was not just the weather, though, that caused the winter damage. Several other stress factors, including shade, compaction, excessive soil moisture, low mowing heights, and exposure contributed significantly to the classic winterkill patterns seen this year. Shade — Excessive shade was one of the most obvious factors contributing to winterkill problems on several golf courses. The most noticeable patterns occurred along the north sides of mature trees, fences, and buildings which effectively shade bermudagrass areas throughout the spring and sum­ mer growing seasons. With a reduced amount of light during the growing season, the turf was unable to build sufficient reserves of carbohydrates to overcome the particularly stressful con­ ditions encountered during the winter and spring of 1989. Compaction — Soil compaction is always a problem, and by itself can severely thin bermudagrass tees and SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 7 (Top) Traffic around greens and tees and on popular departure points from cart paths caused bermudagrass turf to be systematically killed this winter. (Above) Steep, north-facing slopes on fairways experienced the most winter damage due to their increased exposure to cold, dry winds. between cold and warm temperature extremes must have been a continuing source of stress to bermudagrass tees and fairways. April is when life usually flows back into Oklahoma, when the trees begin to bud and the bermudagrass breaks dormancy. This was the case in 1989 as bermudagrass tees and fairways began to green up and resume normal spring growth. Unfortunately, the second week of April proved to be the crushing blow to many golf courses, particularly in the northeastern part of the state. Sub­ freezing temperatures for four consecu­ tive days froze the young green shoots that were rapidly expanding from the bermudagrass crowns. Also, April turned out to be the driest in the last 98 years. Energy reserves for turfgrass fairways during the growing season. When compaction effects are combined with the stress of cold temperatures, though, the pattern of winterkill can be quite dramatic. Cart traffic areas around tees and the popular departure points from cart paths were systemati­ cally killed this winter. The compaction that occurred during the growing sea­ son was only part of the story, for it was the winter play in December and January that was particularly tough on the more heavily played golf courses. Entire tees, particularly those opened for winter play, were completely devas­ tated by winterkill. Due to the lack of drying weather conditions during the winter, wet soil is always most suscep­ tible to compaction at that time. During the spring, when green-up should have occurred, the lack of oxygen in the soil and decreased energy reserves pre­ vented the bermudagrass from recover­ ing in these areas. Soil Moisture — Bermudagrass turf on poorly drained areas of fairways was found to be more susceptible to winter- kill. Whether it was the lack of proper soil aeration, the effects of increased freezing and thawing, greater com­ paction, or a combination of all three cannot clearly be determined. On poorly drained areas, however, the ber­ mudagrass simply did not green up. Exposure — Exposure to cold, dry winds during February and early spring played an important role in the winter- kill process. Fairways and tees near roads or large open areas experienced greater winterkill than those in the interior of the course that were pro­ tected by trees and other types of wind­ breaks. Also, steep, north-facing slopes on long fairways had the most winter damage, while south-facing slopes on the same fairways recovered completely during the spring. Mowing Height — Lower heights of cut on tees (l/2 inch) and fairways (% to 1 inch) appeared to affect the degree of winterkill. It was especially dramatic on walking paths maintained between the tee and first cut of fairway. Perhaps the difference was attributable to the physiological stress that occurs at lower mowing heights combined with the effects of soil compaction that results from extra foot traffic in these areas. EVERY GOLF course superinten­ dent is in search of the perfect grass or grasses that meet the demands of his greens, tees, and fairways. In the transi­ tion zone, unfortunately, there is simply 8 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD not a perfect solution. Nevertheless, we do have enough experience to give us some direction. For example, common bermudagrasses are generally more susceptible to winterkill than improved varieties, and hybrid bermudagrasses such as Tifgreen and Tifway are more susceptible to early freezing tempera­ tures in the fall compared to Midiron. We also know that the variability found among the many available strains of U- 3 that predominate on fairways and tees on Oklahoma golf courses makes it nearly impossible to predict their winter hardiness level. Even winter-hardy Midiron and U-3 were subject to winterkill under the severe conditions that occurred in 1989. Many agronomists have supported the use of Meyer zoysiagrass because of its substantially better winter hardiness compared to bermudagrass. However, the disadvantages of slow growth dur­ ing establishment, poor recuperative potential on heavily used areas, and in­ creased water requirements have limited its widespread use. Other bermuda­ grasses, such as the seeded varieties Guymon and Sahara, also have prob­ lems meeting the demands of the transi­ tion zone. Guymon has improved win­ ter hardiness, but lacks the fine texture demanded of golf course fairways and tees. Sahara would be well suited for fairways in Oklahoma because of the significant improvements in texture and turf quality, yet its winter hardiness is doubtful in the colder parts of the bermudagrass growing region. The bermudagrass breeding program at Oklahoma State University and the cooperative effort between the USDA and University of Georgia are currently receiving funding support from the USGA/GCSAA research effort. Ber­ mudagrass breeding efforts have con­ centrated on the development of seed- propagated varieties that are superior to Arizona Common and the improve­ ment of existing vegetative varieties such as Tifway and Tifgreen. At Okla­ homa State University, Dr. Charles Taliaferro continues to make progress toward increasing the seed production and improving leaf texture and growth habit of a cold-tolerant bermudagrass population. Mean fertility (seed set) was tripled while texture was improved slightly during three cycles of recurrent selection. Plants of very fine textured C. transvaalensis having excellent seed production were identified and will be evaluated further for important seed production and turfgrass character­ istics. The need for superior cold toler­ ance, sod density, and extremely fine texture make the development of vege­ tative and seeded varieties from these parental clones extremely important. In Georgia, Tifton 10 bermudagrass was recently released by the USDA breeding program under the direction of Dr. Glenn Burton and Dr. Wayne Hanna. This variety originates from a lawn in Shanghai, China, and has a unique bluish-green color that distin­ guishes it from other bermudagrasses. Under low management, Tifton 10 dis­ played turf quality similar (but coarser textured) to Tifway and Tifway II and received higher ratings than Midiron at two locations. Tifton 10 has good cold hardiness and is well suited for golf course roughs. Future research plans at Tifton, Georgia, will include the de­ velopment of more cold-tolerant, fine- textured hybrids, new dwarf hybrids similar to Tifdwarf, and evaluation of breeding lines similar to Tifton 10 with turfgrass potential. IN SUMMARY, new varieties will be too late to help the golf courses that suffered winterkill in the spring of 1989. Many superintendents have already purchased as much as three acres of sod to quickly repair their damaged areas. Others have sprigged directly into the injured turf, and still others have been unable to do anything because of financial restrictions. The popular ber­ mudagrasses for replacing damaged areas have been U-3 and Midiron. At least one course converted a major portion of its tees to Meyer zoysiagrass. Where time and funding permit, cor­ rection of soil drainage and traffic prob­ lems will receive extra attention. In roughs where shade has become a prob­ lem, tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass will be established. Many of these courses, however, will need to extend their irrigation systems to maintain ade­ quate moisture for these grasses during the dry, hot summer months. Despite these heroic efforts, there will be some frustrating years ahead until plant breeding programs develop significantly improved, winter-hardy varieties. With luck, the record-break­ ing temperatures that were observed this year in Oklahoma during the late winter and early spring will not occur again for several years. Let’s hope that the “transition zone blues” does not make it to the top of the charts. Extending the Life of Bunker Sands by JAMES T. SNOW Director, Northeastern Region, USGA Green Section DID YOU know that sand begins to age the moment it’s placed in a bunker? If you’ve never thought about the aging process of sand and its implications for the playability of your bunkers, then read on. The life cycle of a bunker sand typically begins when it is installed in the bunker. At that time it is usually as soft and fluffy as it ever will be, and its appearance will never be better. With repeated rainfall or irrigation, the sand gradually becomes more firm. The primary aging factor affecting bunker sands is the contamination that happens over an extended period of time, involv­ ing the mixing of silt, clay, and organic matter with the sand. As this occurs to a greater and greater degree, the sand goes from soft to firm to hard, and its appearance deteriorates as well. Even­ tually, when the golfers at the course become upset enough, the contami­ nated sand is removed and replaced with new material, and the cycle starts again. The replacement of sand in the bunkers at a course is time consuming and expensive, and it is obviously not a process that anybody likes to see done more often than absolutely necessary. By understanding the causes of sand contamination, it is possible to imple­ ment preventive measures that can prolong the life of new sand for many years. Sand Selection Extending the useful life of new bunker sand begins with proper sand selection. Depending on such factors as particle size range, particle shape, purity (the presence or absence of con­ taminants), chemical composition, and other factors, some sands are likely to provide years more service than others. For example, a pure quartz sand with a very narrow particle size range and a rounded particle shape would take many more years to become hard and unplayable compared to a contami­ nated calcareous sand with a very wide particle size range and an angular particle shape. On the other hand, this Contaminated sand develops much more quickly in poorly drained bunkers. Severe washouts (above) can be reduced or eliminated with the construction of interceptor drains (facing page) or surface swales. quartz sand would probably be too soft and would produce fried-egg lies for a long time. How can you determine the suit­ ability of a sand for bunker use? First of all, contact the USGA Green Section for guidelines concerning bunker sand selection. The guidelines include some general recommendations pertaining to particle size range, particle shape, and chemical composition. A word of warning, though: Some sands that fall completely within USGA guidelines may not be suitable or acceptable to some golfers, while other sands that fall well outside the guidelines may be con­ sidered very acceptable by the golfers at that club. Much of this incongruity has to do with factors such as personal prefer­ ence, sand availability, cost, installation procedures and sand depth, environ­ mental factors (e.g., high winds), etc. Thus, don’t let USGA guidelines be your sole judge. Instead, use them as a means 10 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD of eliminating the obviously unsuitable sands from your list. After narrowing the list to one or several sands, it is advisable to have them tested at a good soils laboratory, pne that is knowledgeable and ex­ perienced in analyzing bunker sands. The lab, like the USGA guidelines, can’t account for the personal tastes of the golfers at a particular course, but it can predict the general behavior of the sands being considered and provides a basis for making a final decision. When sending a sand to a laboratory, always keep an equal amount of material at your office. This allows you to compare the sand you have tested to the one that is actually delivered. Before spending tens of thousands of dollars in a sand replacement program, testing sands in trial bunkers on the course is a common and often worth­ while practice. However, be aware that most good sands will seem quite soft and fluffy until they have had the opportunity to settle for several weeks or months. Indeed, if a bunker sand seems “perfect” immediately after it has been installed, it will probably be too firm or hard in too short a period of time. Generally speaking, the best bunker sands are quartz based, angular in shape to provide reasonable firmness, con­ fined to a relatively narrow particle size range (a large majority between ,25mm and 1.00mm), and contain no contami­ nants in the form of silt, clay, and organic debris. Preventing Contamination After a good-quality sand has been selected for bunker use, the best way to extend its useful life is to prevent its contamination with silt, clay, and organic matter. These fine particles, which largely come from the soil on the bottom of the bunker and from the process is begun, and with each washout the situation worsens. To minimize the effects of washouts, be sure that surface water does not enter the top edge of a sloped bunker from an adjacent sloped turf area. This can be assured by con­ structing interceptor drains or surface swales above the bunker to carry sur­ face water around its sides. Another good way to minimize the impact of washouts is to construct a deep vertical lip along the top edge of the bunker, leading to a flat, perpen­ dicular plateau at the base of the lip. The cut is then packed with sand, the result being a significant reduction in the amount of soil eroded from the face when washouts occur. (For more de­ tails, see “How to Rebuild Eroding Bunker Faces,” USGA Green Section Record, May/June 1983.) Finally, it is no secret that washouts are much more prevalent and severe on bunkers with steeply sloped sand faces. Current architectural styles, which emphasize grassed slopes and minimal sand flashing, greatly minimize wash­ out concerns and would be worth con­ sidering if bunker reconstruction is being contemplated. Providing good subsurface drainage is another key to preventing sand con­ tamination. When water puddles in a poorly drained bunker after a heavy rainfall, fine soil and organic particles float to the surface of the puddle and then settle on the sand surface as the water recedes. When the sand is raked, the fine particles are mixed with the sand and contribute to the contami­ nation problem. Installing subsurface tile drainage, or clearing existing drain­ age, prevents puddling in all but the worst of circumstances and thereby pre­ vents contamination. Sand is often contaminated with soil when riding mechanical sand rakes are carelessly used. When the machine is run too close to the edge of the bunker, the scarifying teeth dig into the soil below the sand, or the bar digs into the lip or edge of the bunker, causing a mixing of sand and soil. Also, sand tends to become shifted around by the mechanical rake over a period of time, leaving only a very thin layer in some parts of the bunker. When the scarifying teeth hit these areas, soil is again mixed with the sand. This suggests a need to keep enough sand in the bottom of the bunker, at least four to six inches in depth, and to periodically monitor sand depth when mechanical rakes are used. Also, keep the mechanical rake away from the edges of the bunkers and off SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 11 bunker edges, gradually fill many of the pore spaces between the sand particles and cause the sand to drain poorly and to become hard and crusted. Fortu­ nately, with some forethought and ad­ vanced planning, there are a number of good ways to reduce the rate of soil/ organic buildup in bunker sands. The earliest opportunities for con­ tamination occur before the sand ever reaches the bunkers. When taking delivery of new bunker sand, inspect it to be sure that there are no telltale signs of previous loads of soil or other debris (and check to be sure it is precisely what you ordered). Also, delivered sand should be placed on a concrete or asphalt base so that soil contamination does not occur when the sand is being moved from the stockpile to the bunkers. One of the best means of preventing contamination is to avoid bunker washouts caused by heavy rainfall or irrigation. When washouts occur, sand is washed down the face of the bunker and some of the soil is eroded off the slope as well. When the washout is repaired, the eroded soil is intermixed with the sand and the contamination the slopes and faces. Hand raking should be done in these areas if at all possible. Another opportunity for sand con­ tamination occurs when the bunkers are edged. Too often the edges are cut back too severely, allowing a significant amount of soil and other debris to fall into the bunkers. A more modest edging or a trimming of the long grass on the bunker edge would reduce this con­ tamination and would better preserve the original contour and size of the bunkers. Finally, care should be taken when mowing around the perimeter of a bunker to avoid blowing large volumes of clippings into the sand. If this occurs with too much regularity, the organic matter from the clippings can con­ tribute to the aging process of the sand. A word about geotextile liners is in order. Yes, liners do an excellent job of preventing contamination from the soil below the sand layer. Many courses have installed liners, but in the end a large majority have taken them out. It is very difficult to keep a uniform depth of sand on the liners, especially on sloped faces, and courses that use riding mechanical rakes almost invariably snag the liners with their rakes. Courses with flat-bottomed bunkers and those who hand rake their sand have the best opportunity for success with liners. If liners are used, they should be placed under, not over, the drain tile in the bunker, as the liners occasionally become plugged with soil and organic debris and can inhibit drainage. Dealing With Existing Hard Sand When sand approaches the end of its useful life, the effects of soil and organic contamination make it crusty, hard, and unattractive. Because of the time and expense involved, most courses are hesitant to rush out and replace all their sand. Instead, they try to cultivate the old sand more frequently and deeply, which works for only a day or two at a time. Some try rototilling the old sand, hoping to loosen the material to This sand-cleaning machine allows high-quality, expensive sand to be recycled many times. The Country Club of Buffalo, Williamsville, NY. a greater depth. Because of the silt, clay, and organic content, though, the sand quickly compacts to its original hard state. Most courses respond by adding a couple of inches of fresh sand on top of the old material. This practice works for a few months, but the new and old sand eventually become mixed, and even more sand must be added. Indeed, it is not uncommon to find three or four feet of sand in old bunkers when they are finally renovated. Ultimately, hard, contaminated old sand must be dug out and replaced with new sand. This can be an extremely time consuming project for the grounds crew, detracting from routine maintenance operations and other projects. Many courses with modest-sized crews are best advised to contract out much of the sand replacement work. If done in­ house, then small loaders, adequately sized dump vehicles, and extra workers must be provided for the crew. When old sand is removed from a bunker, it is usually discarded, used for fill on some construction project, or perhaps added to leaf and clipping com­ post. A more suitable use for the old sand has been found at the Country Club of Buffalo, where superintendent Norm Leising has for many years washed the contaminants out of the old sand and put it right back in the bunkers. Their sand-washing machine is put to good use whenever there are a few extra hours in the schedule. Interested parties should contact local quarries for the names of manufacturers of stone and sand grading equipment. Where expensive, high-quality sand is used for bunkers, washing equipment of this type might be a good investment. As it turns out, then, there are many ways to extend the useful life of bunker sand while guarding a large investment in time and materials. By taking the time to test and select the best-quality sand, and by carefully avoiding the sources of contamination noted above, the appearance and playability of bunker sand can be protected and main­ tained for many years. To help prevent contamination of bunker sands, keep mechanical rakes off slopes and at least two feet away from edges. This rake is too close. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 13 GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION: A RIP-OFF IN THE MAKING? by LOUIS E. MILLER Superintendent, Louisville Country Club, Louisville, Kentucky IN THE CURRENT frenzy of golf course construction, there are many unsuspecting developers, investors, and private clubs being taken for mil­ lions of dollars. A handful of architects and contractors are taking money to the bank by the truckload, and many of the courses for which they are responsible are being poorly constructed. Building a golf course is not unlike any other form of construction in that it is money paid for design, labor, machinery, and materials. It is actually that simple. I recently received a call from an individual who inquired about the cost of golf course construction. He had a good piece of property in a real estate development that was large enough to accommodate an 18-hole golf course. Not knowing where to start, he called the office of a prominent golf course architect. He was quoted a figure of between $6 million and $7 million for the construction of the course, even though the architect’s representative had never seen the property. How could anyone justify a statement like that? Has golf course design and construction become a license to steal? Recently, a well-known golf course architect was quoted concerning the rebuilding of the greens on a course that he had designed and constructed just ten years ago. He stated, “Golf greens, like anything else, have a normal ten- year life span before they have to be rebuilt. This course is played more than most courses, so it gets heavy use. It’s normal to undergo reconstruction at this stage.” Consider what this fellow is saying! Under his premise, any golf green that gets “heavy use” must be rebuilt every ten years. He then stated that the cost of rebuilding each green would be about $35,000 and that the cost of the entire project would be about $700,000. It appears from their comments that the club will have to go through the whole thing again in ten more years! The fact is, if the greens had been built properly in the first place, they would not have to be rebuilt. Theoreti­ cally, nothing short of an earthquake 14 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD should ever alter the proper function­ ing of a well-built green. The USGA method of green construction is a proven entity, but many architects and contractors will try to push for a modified method of construction and state that “it is almost as good as a USGA green.” If an investor is going to spend mil­ lions of dollars on a new golf course, why would he take a shortcut on the most important facet of the construc­ tion? The answer is simple. It takes more time and more money out of the contractor’s pocket to construct a properly built USGA green with proper tile size and spacing, a 4-inch gravel blanket over the tiles and subgrade, 2 to 4 inches of coarse buffer sand, and 12 inches of approved topmix that has been mixed off-site in some type of soil shredder or mixer. Based upon a recent construction project, it costs between $23,000 and $25,000 to pre-mix, three times, the proper quantities of sand and peat, and then run the mix through a soil mixer. It might also cost about $6,000 for trucking the mix to the green sites, using three tandem trucks over a six-day period. These figures are based on building 19 greens, averaging 6,000 square feet each. Many architects and contractors would rather just dump the sand into the green, throw on a layer of peat, and rototill the whole thing to­ gether. After all, it is easier and more profitable from that point of view. THE EXORBITANT figure noted earlier for greens construction of $35,000 or more per green is fairly common today, especially with the “Designer Courses” being constructed. My experience suggests, however, that the cost of a properly built USGA green, estimated contracted price, should run between $3.50 and $4.50 per square foot, or $21,000 to $27,000 per 6,000- square-foot green. The lower figure is more in keeping with reason, with the high figure applicable only in parts of the country where trucking the sand or peat great distances would influence the price. The “Designer” or “Signature” golf course is a whole new concept in golf course design and construction. Loosely, these terms suggest that one of the world’s better-known golfers- turned-architects or one of the world’s better-known architects-gone-ridicu- lous “designs” a golf course for the country club, real estate developer, or private owner or investor. Very often, this person does not actually design the course. Instead, he has a large staff turn out a few sketches, a topographical map on two-foot grids, and an aerial photo, then cranks out the design. The sig­ nature person can charge a cool fee up front for the design and then make a few token appearances at regular or irregular intervals so that the investors, whoever they happen to be, feel they are being graced by the architectural genius of a present-day Michaelangelo. During these visits the designer makes various and sundry changes such as moving five or six greens from their present roughed-in locations to differ­ ent locations, only because his creative genius compels him to do so. Were this a bid type of construction project, one can bet that when a green is built it is going to stay in the original location. A good architect has the majority of the major problems spotted and all relo­ cations noted on the original draft before the first yard of soil is moved. This is what an architect is paid for. The open checkbook policy has led to some outrageous price tags for golf courses. As each new “Designer Course” is built, it has to be better than the previous project because everybody wants to have the fastest car on the road. The open checkbook policy opens the door to a lot of useless spending. THE POINT I am trying to make here is that there is a logical sequence of events that leads from the design to the completed construction of a golf course. It is not a feat of magic, and it is certainly not some ambiguous open checkbook contract that allows the project to ramble on until completion. The construction of a golf course breaks down very nicely into its compo- Straw mulching with a power blower. be replaced over the subsoil and the final grade is established. The finish grade is not included in the price of moving soil. When moving soil up to 150 cubic yards, the cheapest way is with a D-8 or TD-25 class dozer. Greater quantities of soil are cheaper to haul with a pan, scraper, or pull. It is also less expensive to use a self-loader type pan with two engines, one on the tractor and one pushing from the rear. A single-engine pan is more costly be­ cause it requires a separate dozer for pushing. Finish grading is often the most diffi­ cult part of the project to reconcile be­ cause, unless it is precisely spelled out, the investor does not know just what it covers. In essence, it is a finish grade over the entire project apart from the greens and tees. So, the finish grade should break down into fairways, roughs, and non-use areas. All features or mounding are included in the finish grade. Seedbed preparation can be a com­ plicated business because all debris has to be removed to provide a satisfactory nents. The design is completed, it is staked out with a walk-through to verify the layout, and any preliminary changes are made before the construction begins. The construction is then broken down into various phases. Begin with the clearing work. How many acres is involved, how is the debris to be disposed of, and where and how is the burying to be done? Next consider the rough grade. How many yards of soil will be moved and to what grade? A detailed blueprint determines the necessary cuts and fills. Naturally, there will be some changes, and they should be considered part of the project. However, they should not exceed 15 percent. The average cost for moving soil is about $3 per cubic yard. THERE IS a three-phase program for hauling soil. The sod or grass must be stripped and stockpiled in a convenient rehaul location. The topsoil, if there is any, must also be stripped and stockpiled for redistribution at a later time. The subsoil can then be moved, be it a cut or fill. Later, the topsoil has to seedbed and to avoid mowing problems after establishment. It is up to the con­ tractor to determine how he will dispose of the rocks and debris. Root rakes and rock pickers do just so much; the final picking must be done by hand. Unless a thorough job is done, rocks and debris can play havoc with mowing at a later date. One course went through more than 300 triplex reels during its first year on what should have been top-quality bentgrass fairways. Seeding and stolonizing needs are not so difficult to determine. If the course is to be seeded, as most are, then a de­ cision must be made concerning grass species and seeding rates to be used on the tees, greens, fairways, roughs, and out-of-play areas. If it is to be stolon- ized, then the number of bushels of sprigs needed per thousand square feet or per acre must be calculated. Fertilizer and lime needs must also be determined. Soil sterilization is not as common as it once was because of the elimination of soil from mixes for greens and tees. In the South and West, however, steril­ ization remains an essential part of the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 15 (Left) An off-site mixing operation using a front end loader and Lindig soil mixer. construction procedure. (The USGA strongly recommends fumigation as part of new putting green construction.) A spray application of Tupersan after seeding will prevent the establishment of a majority of weeds on a spring or summer seeding. Mulching is a key step in successful turf establishment. Though I don’t ad­ vocate mulching the surfaces of putting greens, I do favor mulching everything else with a clean, straw mulch. It not only helps control erosion, but it also 16 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD helps retain moisture for good seed germination and establishment. A good straw-blowing operation can easily cover ten acres per day. Some weeds do result from mulching, but mowing and herbicide use can eliminate them quite readily. The cost of installing an irrigation system can range from a nominal amount to a fortune. Tees, greens, and fairways are no longer the only areas that are watered. Multi-row or fence-to- fence systems are not unusual. It comes down to how much area you want to irrigate, how much water you have, and how much money you’re willing to spend. Water can be from a lake, river, deep well, or holding facility, or it can be pur­ chased from a municipal water com­ pany. Pumping systems can yield from 500 to several thousand gallons per minute. The decision depends greatly upon the geographic location and an­ ticipated maintenance standards. The cost of an irrigation system can vary from a quarter million dollars to well over one million dollars. Estimates should include the cost per irrigation head and the cost per foot of pipe and wire. Controllers are so elaborate today that virtually anything can be done. Make sure that you get what you pay for, and that the system is installed to grade and tested prior to seeding. Sand bunker construction should be straightforward enough, but shortcuts and unnecessary expenditures for de­ signer sands are not uncommon. Make sure drains are installed in each bunker and that they do not exit the bunker and end up in a low-capacity dry well. Bunker sands are available in all types of colors and prices. It is not necessary to have sand flown in from the Sahara Desert via the Flying Tigers on 747s to satisfy the whims and desires of the architect. Often, there are many good sands available at reasonable prices. Choose carefully. Cart paths are just a way of life on golf courses today. If you want to have carts and good-quality turf, then paths are needed. They can be constructed from many suitable materials, including crushed stone over geotextile fabric, asphalt, or concrete. A typical course would have between 21,000 and 25,000 linear feet of cart paths. They should be at least eight feet wide because it is less expensive to install with large equip­ ment and because this width can accom­ modate maintenance equipment as well as golf carts. When the paths are in­ stalled prior to the final seedbed prepa­ ration and seeding, the contractor can use the paths and avoid the need for service roads on the course. Cart path installation at an early stage on a new course also allows for incorporating them into the design with greater aesthetic concern. THESE ARE the major facts of con­ structing a golf course. Please re­ member that some golf course super­ intendent has to maintain what an architect designs and a contractor builds. Consider the maintenance costs prior to construction to be sure that there is enough money to maintain what will be built. Golf course construction is not some magical operation that transforms a piece of ground into a golf course. It is a step-by-step operation that should be accounted for in numbers and proce­ dures. Make sure that you get what you pay for, and do not be mesmerized by a personality. There are many architects and contractors in the business who can design and build a golf course to suit your budget; the open-checkbook approach, which greatly inflates the cost of golf course construction, should not be part of the project. Editor's Note: Mr. Miller is well quali­ fied to write on the subject of golf course and putting green construction. He has built more than 50 putting greens to USGA specifications and has recently finished building a new golf course, Quail Chase Golf Club, in Louisville, Kentucky. Two other courses, the Oxmoor Golf and Steeple Chase Club and the Glen Mary Golf Course, are currently under construction. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED Consider Poa annua For Your New Green by PAUL VERMEULEN Agronomist, Western Region, USGA Green Section Establishing a new putting green with Poa annua might not seem like sound agronomy, but when the concern is consistency, it would have great appeal to the average golfer. Even though the serious turf student would probably not agree, I think a newly built green on an old golf course should be planted with the grass that exists on the remaining 17 greens, even if it happens to be Poa annua. ing a new green with a foreign-looking turfgrass, such as bentgrass, is a prob­ lem if this is your philosophy. First of all, bentgrass looks different, not better or worse, but different from Poa annua. I admit that an average golfer usually can’t distinguish Poa annua from bentgrass on a bent/Poa putting green, but put a bentgrass green in the middle of 17 bent/ Poa greens, and they can pick it out every time. You are likely asking yourself how the decision to plant Poa annua on a new green can have any merit when practically everything that has been written says otherwise. The answer is that one of the fundamentals of golf course management, not necessarily turfgrass science, is to try to maintain all 18 greens of the same general char­ acter and putting quality. Reestablish­ Second, a bentgrass green has differ­ ent playing characteristics because it must be kept on the dry side if you truly intend to maintain bentgrass properly. This makes the green firmer than the others, and perhaps a little faster. Again, consistency is jeopardized for the sake of pure turf grass science. This philosophy of establishing Poa annua instead of bentgrass should also carry over to the putting green nursery. In this way, repairs that must be made using sod from the nursery will heal without notice. If repairs are made with bentgrass sod in a predominantly Poa annua green, the scar will not disappear for several years. Even though this opinion may never appear in the textbooks, I feel strongly about not sacrificing the consistency of the greens for the sake of growing bent­ grass in the middle of a Poa annua golf course. Editor's Note: Be sure to consider regional concerns, such as severe winter weather or extreme summer heat, when selecting a grass for establishing a new green. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 17 USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 TURF TWISTERS POUR ON THE SAND Question: We have installed miles of drain tiles on our fairways and still have very wet playing conditions during the winter months. Do you have any suggestions for minimizing imbedded playing conditions during the winter? (Washington) Answer: Topdressing with sand may be your answer! Used widely on greens and tees, sand topdressing has produced excellent results on many fairways in the Pacific Northwest. It is a viable means of providing good footing, improving surface drainage, and eliminating imbedded balls on fairway areas. With the proper equipment, a reasonably priced sand source, and a good topdressing schedule during the growing season, definite improvements are usually seen in one or two years. TO ENLARGE OR REBUILD Question: We have several small greens that cannot stand up to the amount of play they receive, and we wish to enlarge them. Should we build the new additions to USGA specifications? (Ohio) Answer: In lieu of completely rebuilding the greens, your best bet would be to match the soil types as closely as possible. If the original greens were constructed of native soil, the additions should also be constructed of native soil. If the soil types vary sig­ nificantly between the new and old parts of each green, maintenance will be complicated since the different areas will have distinctly different water, nutrient, and management requirements. More often than not, adding a new section to an old green does not work out well. It is very difficult to match soil types, even with laboratory assistance. Eventually, many of these expanded greens undergo complete reconstruction. THOSE TIRED TEES Question: We have a couple of back tees where it is not possible to maintain a dense bermudagrass cover because of a shade situation. The membership is strongly opposed to further tree removal, but they still want these tees maintained in top condition because of their high visibility. Do you have any suggestions? (Florida) Answer: An approach that has worked quite well at other Florida courses has been to establish a zoysiagrass turf cover. There are a couple of new hybrid zoysia selections that are similar in appearance to the hybrid bermudas but have better shade tolerance. Give zoysiagrass a try, but if successful results are not achieved, the membership will have to accept less than perfect turf conditions or else part with a few more trees.