March 2012

We have had a long snowy and cold winter and are anxiously waiting for the arrival of spring.  It is actually good that we have had constant snow cover to protect our turf from the bitter strong winds of winter.  Without the snow cover the cold winds dry out the turfgrass and root zone causing death through desiccation.

However, a Golf Course Superintendents greatest fear during the winter months is prolonged ice coverage.  While some ice formation is normal heavy rain events followed by extremely cold temperatures provide the greatest opportunity for


March 2013
 

winter damage.  Even though turf goes into dormancy during the winter it is still alive and needs oxygen, as well as expelling carbon dioxide.  Gas exchange is severely limited underneath thick ice coverage that persists for months on end.  Without proper gas exchange, the turfgrass may suffocate and die. 

I have been around to all of our greens recently and I have not found any ice build-up that would cause concern.  We will continue to monitor the situation and begin our push to have the new greens open on time.  All we need now is a little help from Mother Nature.