USGA Green Section Turf Advisory Service Visit - Beach Grove Golf ...

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Beach Grove Golf Club -2- May 4, 2005 It was a pleasure to visit Beach Grove Golf Club on May 4, 2005 on behalf of the USGA Green Section as part of our Turf Advisory Service (TAS). The main purpose of the following TAS report is to provide an unbiased review of the maintenance operation while offering recommendations to improve the golf course and maintenance operation within your budgetary limitations. Since the time of the last visit several years ago it was good to view the completion of the major drainage effort on the back nine with the new lake and fairway on No. 17. The entire back nine (excluding Nos. 10 and most of No. 18) are very dry with minimal earthworm problems when compared to the native soil on the front nine. In addition to the physical improvement on the back nine, the putting surfaces were in good spring condition, the aprons improved with regular topdressing, aeration and mowing with triplex mowers and the tees were in good condition due to correct protection during the winter months. Mr. Murray and his staff deserve a “well done” for the conditioning they are providing their players based on the cost of golf at Beach Grove and the very difficult noise restrictions found around the course! While these were all positive aspects noted on the golf course, there were still many areas that need to be addressed that range from costly (maintenance facility and irrigation system) to minor changes in programs that may actually reduce budget costs. Specific recommendations for several main topics were discussed including greens, green surrounds, fairways, trees, irrigation system, maintenance facility and miscellaneous topics. Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate contacting our office. GREENS Observations. The putting surfaces were in very good spring condition despite the normal problem with Poa annua seedhead development that always leads to afternoon bumpy conditions. Green speed has become a major issue and the control of organic material is always a concern when greens are extended beyond their mowing capabilities. Finally, the greens are currently mowed with gas powered triplex mowers resulting in more stress on the green perimeters and noise problems with the neighbors. Recommendations. The putting surfaces are the “resume” of most golf courses, thus they deserve the primary focus of attention. During the past decade I have had the opportunity to visit Beach Grove on several occasions and have always found the fundamental programs conducted by Mr. Murray to be very sound and providing good playing surfaces during the growing season. At the same time, it has always been the responsibility of the golf course superintendent to make sure that desired changes in programs that will cause too much stress should be avoided as turf loss can occur when weather patterns take a turn for the worse. Based on conversations from those in attendance, this occurred in 2004 and during the past winter, thus the following was suggested as you enter the main playing season for 2005: • Don’t be obsessed with green speed! Mr. Murray mentioned that the goal for green speed has increased over the years with regular speeds expected during the growing season in the 10’- 10’6” range. While there certainly are those players that prefer these “tournament” conditions, the focus at Beach Grove should be on smoothness and taking advantage of as much surface
Beach Grove Golf Club -3- May 4, 2005 area as possible for hole locations. Please note the enclosed reprint taken from the latest USGA Green Section Record discussing the many non-agronomic factors that should be taken into account when contemplating further lowering of mowing heights to achieve green speeds that are in excess of major championship speeds 15-20 years ago. • Eliminate daily green speed posting. As can be noted in the enclosed reprint, golfers of all skill levels have difficulty telling the difference of 6” at any speed and have increasing difficulty as green speeds approach 10’ of determining a 1’ difference in speed. The USGA Stimpmeter was designed to give the golf course superintendent a measuring device for green consistency, not as a tool to achieve fast greens or for daily green speed posting as these numbers mean virtually nothing to the vast majority of players and offer no aid to those Consistency, yes – daily readings, no! that play the greens that day. Here are just a few facts that favor the elimination of this practice: 1. To provide a true reading you should test every green, thereby wasting valuable labor. 2. The speed of a green changes during the day from normal growth. 3. The speed of a green changes dramatically during the day, especially when Poa annua seedheads are forming. 4. The speed of a green changes during the day based on the type of roller used. 5. The practice green is usually 1’ faster than the regular greens due to foot traffic around the holes. If this is the tested green, it is not a true indicator. 6. Regular hole locations in the green centers are usually faster than perimeter locations due to foot traffic. 7. The degree of slope dramatically changes the perceived speed of individual greens. 8. Shaded greens are usually a different speed than full sun greens, especially in the afternoon. 9. Wet sand from topdressing has a major effect on green speed when compared to dry sand. 10. Daily Stimpmeter readings are generally taken early in the morning on one green. Which one and what part of the green is the average for all the greens that day The game of golf is supposed to be a test of skill that requires both physical and mental ability to adapt to the various challenges the golf course and nature provide. Providing players with numbers that mean very little based on the time they play only results in negative questioning of the golf course superintendent when the player may have a bad day on the greens and is a waste of valuable time that should be spent supervising the staff. Also, note the enclosed reprint on this topic. • Do be obsessed with green smoothness! While the obsession with fast greens is generally driven by those with lower handicaps (usually a small, yet vocal minority at most private clubs),
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USGA Green Section Turf Advisory Service Visit - Beach Grove Golf ...

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