Winter Prep/Temp Greens

As we inch closer to the end of the 2013 season, we are putting the final touches on winter preparation for the course.  The irrigation system has been winterized and all plant protectants have been applied to playing surfaces.  Still, there are a few jobs remaining such as blowing and mulching the last of the leaves, bringing in the last of the amenities (rakes, tee markers, garbage cans etc.) and finally a winter blanket of sand topdressing for the greens.

Winter topdressing is a common practice at many northern courses but it has been done sparingly at BVGC in the past. Adding a heavy layer of sand to the greens just prior to snowfall or ground-freeze helps protect the crowns of the plant (growing points) for winter winds and can aid in thatch management and spring green-up.  Greens with shade and Poa annua (the two go hand-in-hand) are generally more susceptible to winter damage.  The use of protective tarp-style permeable turf covers can also accomplish this and more but: 1)are very expensive and labor intensive and 2)encourages Poa growth.  We will still be putting out the new turf covers we purchased this spring on holes 5 and 13 because they have a much higher population of Poa (70%) than the other greens and at this point, we need to ensure the plants survival even if it is encouraging the weaker grass species.

The downside to all of this is that all greens surfaces will be closed starting tomorrow, 11/21/13.  We will be placing temporary pins in approaches and near greens with the exception of all the par-3 holes.  There is limited room on all the par-3's due to water features or sand traps to place a temporary pin location.  All surfaces will be sanded and 5&13 will be tarped starting tomorrow.  At that time, we kindly ask that you do not hit to or walk on the putting surfaces for the remainder of the winter. We understand that the decision to put limits on where, when and how you use the golf course can be a sensitive one, especially since this is such a "new" process at BVGC but the benefits of turf health and better playing conditions outweigh the drawbacks of winter play on the greens.

Thank you for understanding.  As always if you have any questions please contact the golf shop or myself directly.  See you in 2014!