As you well know, bentgrass has taken a beating this summer throughout our area. The early rains in June coupled with the extreme heat has allowed root rot to develop. We are applying fungicides weekly and are spiking to introduce oxygen into the soil. Although our June aerification was quite a challenge with the elevated temperatures, it still was the right thing to do at the time. I feel if we had not done the aerification the greens would be in much worse condition. The only solution to improving growing conditions is when Mother Nature drops the low temperature for the day consistently into the 60's.

Many courses are switching to the new varieties of bermudagrass to get through the summer in better condition. This is something that will be very popular following this season. If you enjoy the quality of putt on a bermudagrass green on a year-round basis it is not a bad option. In order to produce optimum growing conditions for bermudagrass, shade must be eliminated and greens must be covered often during the winter. The course would be closed (or temporaries used) when low temperatures fall into the mid 20's.

The fairways and tees are in very good condition. I have never seen the quality of the tees as good. The fairways and rough have been tough to keep cut with such favorable growing conditions. All bermudagrass is at the same cutting heights as previous seasons and growth regulators are applied monthly.

There should be a break in temperatures by mid-month and we will aeriate the greens following Labor Day. Conditions on the course will begin to improve in late summer and we will begin preparations for the busy fall tournament schedule. I am looking forward to those cool, crisp mornings again!

There is some good information on bentgrass decline at the following website.

http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/