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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-21-REC-mino rs MOO ca" o x A a� a z APRIL 19" 1 FX ) N G`�G� Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw Howard Vogel Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting of July 21, 2010 Tel: (781) 862- 0500 x262 Fax: (781) 861 -2747 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pine Meadows Golf Club, 255 Cedar Street. A quorum of 4 was present. Members Present: Dick Thuma, Vice Chairman, Sandra Shaw, Wendy Rudner, Howard Vogel Members Absent: Rick DeAngelis, Chairman Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, Sheila Butts Others Present: John Allen, New England Golf Corporation, Hank Manz, and Selectmen's Liaison to the Recreation Committee The meeting acted on the following items: I. Citizens and Other Boards -- None present 11. Golf Course Tour 0 Members of the Recreation Committee briefly discussed the status of the course, its playability, finances, player profile, tee times, and comparison of use and greens fees collected with 2009. • Karen Simmons and John Allen reviewed the USGA Turf Advisory Report which had been distributed to the Committee at the June 16 meeting. 0 Members toured the course. The following documents /exhibits used at the meeting are attached: 1. USGA Turf Advisory Report The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sheila Butts 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 GoLp 5� p z 1894 United States Golf Association Northeast Region Green Section 1500 North Main Street Palmer, MA 01069-1215 T (413) 283 -2237 F (413) 283 -7741 1IN i - LI 110 IN L- ZIA K -[I INE MEADOWS GOLF C OURSE LEXINGTON, MASSAC HUSETTS September 16, 2010 Present: Mr. John Allen, Jr., Vice President of Operations, New England Golf Corporation Mr. William Harrison, President, New England Golf Corporation Mr. Jim Hastings, Superintendent Ms. Karen Simmons, Recreation Director Mr. Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds Mr. James E. Skorulski, Senior Agronomist, USDA E F . r S D 0 0 10 1 i i 8 i 3 � Pine Meadows Golf Course September 10, 2010 Page 2 This report is provided for the Turf Advisory Service (TAS) visit conducted at Pine Meadows Golf Course on September 15, 2010. The 2010 season will long be remembered in the Northeast as being one of the more difficult and stressful in many years. The season did not start out well with the winter injury followed by record heat and humidity and very dry weather conditions in July and August. The winter damaged greens did recover after some time. It was good to see that the creeping bentgrass that was established following the winter injury has performed well during the stressful summer season. The heat and humidity in July and the drier weather conditions were more stressful to annual bluegrass in the reens g , collars and fairways. Problems with the irrigation system also created a number of management challenges in this dry summer season. The golf course performed relatively well through the difficult weather. There were some isolated patches of dead turf in the fairways and some of the collar areas. Non - irrigated roughs also suffered some injury that is to be expected. We used our time together to tour the golf course and examine some of the weak and damaged areas. Recommendations were provided for the recovery of those areas. We also discussed the use of winter covers and other methods to try to protect the grass from cold temperature injury and ice. Recommendations were provided for soil management programs, ##8 green, tree work, irrigation, weed management and a number of other practices that will be presented in this report. GREENS Winter .. Injury It was good to see that the greens that were damaged in the winter season were fully recovered and performed well this summer. I commend the staff for their hard Work in reestablishing turf and then maintaining the plants through the difficult summer. We discussed covering strategies and other fall practices to improve the turfs' ability to survive the winter season. The use of impermeable covers is generally an effective means to prevent the plants from becoming hydrated. Solid covers used alone however, do not provide protection from colder temperatures ( <6° F) that can also kill annual bluegrass. The impermeable cover will be utilized on a trial basis over #5 green this winter. Install a permeable cover beneath the solid cover or use the foam material to create some air space that should help insulate the ' turf from rapid temperature fluctuations that can occur in winter.. Permeable covers are available from GreenJacket and other companies. A less expensive permeable agriculture cover can also be used below the impermeable cover. The use of a permeable cover also will be helpful as Y ou transition the greens in the spring season. I generally recommend removing the impermeable covers usually in early -mid March. A rule of thumb is to wait until temperatures below the covers reach 43 ° -45° F on a consistent basis (not temperature Pine Meadows Golf Course September 16, 2010 Page 3 spikes) as this is the point when the annual bluegrass and creeping bent rass will begin g g to break dormancy. The impermeable cover would be removed while the p ermeable fabric would be left over the surface to protect the turf from frosts, wind desiccation etc until the turf has an opportunity to harden off or acclimate to the exposed environment.' . p t. I would utilize the permeable covers from that point onward until the turf has hardened off or even until the threat of a severe freeze passes. Permeable covers will be utilized on both the 3 4 th and 8th greens. 'Eventually, those greens too are all good candidates for impermeable covers due to surface drainage g concerns. Drywells will be installed 'in the low pockets on those greens in an effort to keep water off of the greens' surface in the winter months. The permeable and : i p impermeable covers should be installed n late fall (late November -early December before any major snowfall occurs and or a deep frost sets in the ground. Allowing he g turf some exposure to below freezing temperatures in late November and early December will improve the turfs' ability to tolerate colder temperatures later in winter. The impermeable cover needs to be installed over the entire green complex on the 5th hole to prevent surface water from flowing under the cover and onto the surface. Consideration might also be given to placing hay bales along the upper side of the 8 th green to prevent water from sheeting over its surface. The hay bales should be secured to the ground with stakes. There are shade concerns that continue to impact several greens, leaving hem more 9 vulnerable to winter freeze injury. The dense shade patterns were witnessed during our tour of the golf course and those patterns will only worsen as we approach the winter season. The dense fall shade over the greens reduces the turfs' ability to produce the carbohydrates that it requires to protect itself from cold winter temperatures. . The shaded conditions also favor weaker annual bluegrass. The following recommendations were made: Morning shade was apparent on the 2nd green during our visit. A Norway spruce tree located behind the green should be removed to allow more sun to reach the green. A poor quality willow tree located behind the green should also be removed as it is becoming hazardous. Remove the large Norway spruce tree from the right side of ##3 green to eliminate dense afternoon shade over the green's surface. Pine Meadows Golf Course September 16, 2010 Page 4 ® Tree work is required along the back and back left side of #4 green to allow more sun to reach the green's surface during the late fall, winter and spring seasons. I recommend selectively removing all of the white pine trees growing along the back of the green (those that are shading the turf) as well as thinning some of the deciduous trees from the woodland area to allow more surf to reach the turf. The tree work involves the scan' d of trees along the left side of the 5th hole. Extensive tree work is required along the left and back left sides of the 5th green and approach. That work involves removing or at least topping white pine trees growing at that location. The white pine trees are causing dense shade over most of the green's surface throughout the morning hours and that shade pattern is extended longer throughout the day in the winter season. Remove two white pine trees from the back of #8 green to allow more sun to reach the turf there. Several spruce and pine trees located between the 9 th and 5th fairways may also be shading the green during the winter months. Those too should be removed as deemed necessary. ® Remove one white pine tree from the right side of ##9 green as it creates dense shade over the right half of the green in the morning hours. A second white P ine tree should also be removed from that location in the future. Winter injury is a weather dependent phenomenon. The best that we can do at this point is to try to grow the grasses that have the most tolerance to cold temperature and ice (i.e. the creeping bentgrass) and create conditions that are less likely to lead to that injury (i.e. improve surface drainage and correct poor growing environments). The use of the winter protection covers will in most years improve the turfs' survival in the winter season. However, even the covering systems will not provide sufficient protection should already weak annual bluegrass be exposed to lethal temperatures or multiple freeze /thaw cycles. Soil Management we examined the soil profiles in the 1S 2 5 th and 9 th greens. The thatch mat in the greens seems to be increasing. This is hard to understand as the greens are being core cultivated in. both the spring and late summer seasons and are receivin g more topdressing than ever before. 'We need to monitor that thatch layer, which at this point is not having any negative effect on the greens. However, 'if it continues to grow then more aggressive forms of core cultivation will be needed. This would include core cultivating with larger hollow tines and or completing the practice at a higher coring frequency. The light topdressing done during the season may need to be intensified further. we will examine the soil profiles closely next spring to help determine what cultivation practices will be most effective moving forward. Pine Meadows Golf Course September 16, 2010 Page 5 HOW General Maintenance Increase the fertilizer applications on the sand tees on the 9th hole. It would also be a good idea to have a soil test taken to determine pH of those sands. It may be necessary to lime the tees to increase the pH up to a 6 -6.5 level. Apply approximately .4 -.5 Ib. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. monthly on the sand tees with the exception of July and August when those rates might be cutback slightly due to the warmer weather and concerns with disease. Irrigation coverage is also a concern on the upper and lower tees on the 9th hole. Monitor the sprinkler head coverage and adjust the nozzles or relocate sprinkler heads to correct the deficiencies that became apparent in this dry season. We also discussed the need to add irrigation to the middle tee box on the 8th hole. The 6th and 7th tees are probably the weakest on the course due to the environment in which they are located. Remove more of the pitch pine trees located on the right side of #6 tee to allow more sun to reach the back half of that tee. The 7th tee is growing in a densely shaded environment and any work that can be done along the right side of the tee to allow more sun to reach the playing surface will benefit the turf. I realize the trees are an important screen from the 6 th hole and that tree removal work has to be done with care. No. 8 Tee The front tee on the 8 th hole is very unlevel. Fortunately, there is a dee p soil mix on the tee, which makes it possible to level the surface and even increase the tee's size. The tee is a good candidate for renovation and should be a priority. Use a short -cut Kentucky bluegrass to re -grass the tee after it has been leveled. General Maintenance The area adjacent to #9 tee is in poor condition as a result of poor irrigation, traffic and trees. I recommend removing an oak from the left front side of the tee. The tree overhangs the walk -on area and is likely competing with the turf there for water and nutrients (root competition). Adding a curb along the cart path at that location would help to keep carts from traveling over this heavily used area. The sprinkler head adjustments discussed earlier will also be helpful. Root prune between the tee box and the wooded area to eliminate any root competition there. Pine Meadows Golf Course September 16, 2010 Page 6 LIJ :- Trees Dense shade impacts the 5th fairway. White pine trees growin g g aloe the left side of the hole should be thinned to allow more sun to reach the left half of the fairway. I recommend removing all of the white pine trees around a mature oak tree. The oak tree is a good specimen tree that should be brought into view. Thin pitch pine trees from the right side of the 6th hole to allow more sun to reach the high traffic area in the right g g rough (beyond the cart path). The sun will improve .turf vigor and will also help to dry this area out more quickly. General Maintenance The fairways suffered from wilt during the heat of the summer season. The wilt inju � rY actually caused some turf to die, creating open patches. Some of the wilt is a result of poor irrigation coverage, underlying rock and a thatch layer that became hydrophobic during the dry weather. The areas are beginning to recover with the cooler g 9 soil temperatures. Core aerifying the damaged areas will also open up the thatch layer.and should help to rewet the underlying soils. This will also stimulate new growth of the surrounding turf and will create a seed bed. -Qverseed the _ = areas following the core aerifi cation with creeping bentgrass. The remnants of the dry and hot summer weather remain with the damaged turf on the 2 hole. Core aerating the surfaces and seeding the damaged areas will stimulate new growth and recovery in those areas. Pine Meadows Golf Course September 16, 2010 Page 7 Goosegrass continues to be a problem in the 5 and 8 th fairways. A split application of granular Dimension herbicide was made to the fairways in hopes of managing the goosegrass. Unfortunately, the application was only moderately successful. I a r �1.. y � e V ree with Mr. Allen in that the fairways with the goosegrass should be treated with a sprayable formulation of Dimension in the split application. The first application of Dimension would be applied in early May followed by a second application one month later. Andersons Golf Products GoosegrasslCrabgrass control utilizes a combination of Betasan and Ronstar herbicides to manage both crabgrass and goosegrass. Ronstar g g g continues to be the most effective preemergent product against goosegrass. Consider an initial application of Dimension in the 5 and 8 fairways in the spring followed by an application of the Andersons product in late May. Animals are feeding on white grubs in tees, fairways and rough areas. Those areas where there is some surface damage from the animal activity are being treated with Proxol insecticide to control the white grubs and prevent any. future feeding damage. The fertilizer Milorganite can also be applied to areas where animals are seeking he g white grubs to deter the feeding and associated damage. The Milorganite will probabl be most effective in deterring the feeding activity of skunks, raccoons and other mammals. Apply Merit, Arena or Acelepryn to the fairways, tees and primary rough areas next season. Drainage Drainage continues to be a concern in lower portions of the 1 fairway and the right side of #2 fairway. The dry summer season has reduced those concerns but only for a temporary basis. A long - -range plan to address these drainage concerns should remain a priority. Addressing the poor drainage will leave these fairways in a more playable Y condition and will allow for cart use even during more wet weather. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Sand Bunkers Ms. Simmons pointed out a concern with drainage in the greenside bunker on the 9th hole. The drain line in the low lying bunker drains into the pond. It is likely hat the Y drainage will become ineffective if water levels 'in the pond are above normal. In the future, the sand bunker can be drained under the cart ath and taken to the ditch p t h wh e re the : elevation is lower. This will allow the. drain to be installed at a deeper depth and , P should also keep the drain functioning even when water levels in the pond are high. No 8 GrQp_n We reexamined the contours of the 8 green. It was interesting to hear that the grades 9 of the green were determined with a laser and that the surface did provide the 1 % surface drainage that was specified in the design, It appears however that there are Pine Meadows Golf Course September 10, 2010 Page 8 several low pockets on the green. One of the pockets is on the upper tier and the other near the right center of the green. The lack of or minimal surface drainage through the center of the green allows water to pocket there in the winter months. The evidence of the pockets was more clear with winter injury that occurred this season. Ideally, the surface grade of this green would be more straightforward with the upper tier draining off the back right side of the green and the lower tier draining to the front right side of the green. At this point, most of the water seems to be funneled off the center and to the front of the green through a lower area. I am concerned that the limited surface drainage will increase the potential for future winter injury. There is. no easy fix at this point. Correcting the surface drainage would require the sod to be lifted from the front and back tiers of the green while the grade changes are made.. A project of this type should strongly be considered in the future if additional printer injury occurs in those lower lying areas. CONCLUSION Do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any questions regarding this report or should any questions arise as we enter the fall season. I hope I can return to the golf course later this fall to reexamine shade patterns over the 4th green and others. At that point, we can also discuss some more of the specifics with the installation of covers and other winter techniques. Best wishes for the fall and winter seasons and I look forward to- continuing to work with the Town of Lexington and New England Golf Corporation to make Pine Meadows Golf Course the best it can be. Sincerely, r James E. Skorulski, Senior Agronomist Northeast Region Green Section J ES: jc cc: Mr. John Allen, Jr., Vice President of Operations, New England Golf Corp. Mr. William Harrison, President, New England Golf Corporation Ms. Karen Simmons, Recreation Director Mr. Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds