Northville Historical Society; A Tribute to Meadowbrook Country Club

Founded in 1916, Meadowbrook Country Club is one of the oldest clubs in the Detroit area.  Originally it consisted of just 6 greens and 125 acres.  Now, with over 180 acres and remodels done by storied architects such as Donald Ross, MCC remains one of  Detroit's elite clubs.

It's hosted a number of PGA Championships and other tournaments including the Motor City Open.  Prominent names such as Byron Nelson, Bob Hamilton, Ben Hogan and Cary Middlecoff have tee'ed off here.  Nelson and Hamilton hold the 18 hole record, posting scores of 63 in 1946 and 1949 respectively.  More than a decade later, Mike Souchek shot a 63 during the second round of the Motor City Open in 1959. 

Andrew Bertoni, superintendent at MCC from 1952-1968, recovered a scrapbrook pieced together from old newspaper articles and PGA literature that highlights the clubs rich history.  The following is an article from that source.  It was written by William H. Ashton, who served as the club historian and Green Chairman.

Winter Preparation

As Michigan gears up for winter, golf course superintendents are doing the same.  An important aspect of turf management is preparing the grass for the extreme climate changes of winter (freeze/thaw cycles and heavy snow fall).  There are many different tasks that are part of winterizing a course and the major ones that da' Brook performs are explained in the following article.

Dormant Feeding:
Dormant feeding is an important element in this preparation.  It entails a heavy rate of solid fertilizer applied to specific areas of the course.  MCC applies a granular fertilizer to its tees and fairways at a rate of 350lbs of product per acre.  The fertilizer formulations for dormant feeding usually include a small amount of nitrogen coupled with a large amount of potash (Potassium).  Potassium is an important plant nutrient at this time of year because it provides strength to cell walls.  Long periods of cold temperatures or abrupt freezes and thaws are extremely detrimental to the turf.  Ice crystals, formed by cold temperatures can puncture cell walls in a weakened condition.  During a thaw, the plant can actively take up water, hydrating the turf.  The water will than freeze puncturing cell membranes from the inside, which will result in the death of the cell.  This process in known as crown hydration, and while not completely unavoidable, dormant feeding does provide some relief from it. 
The summer of 2011 left its mark on some of the fairways, in the form of voids or bare spots in the turf.  The crew hopes that the dormant feed will assist in the recovery of these spots before the snowfall and carry the benefits into the spring.

Snow Mold Control:

The biggest threat to turfgrass during the winter from a disease standpoint are the snow molds; Pink and Gray.  Pink snow-mold is the most common in Michigan (Gray requires a long, heavy snow-cover that southeastern Michigan does not see consistently) and before the snow comes, superintendents try to spray the vital areas of the course with fungicides.  The norm for snow mold prevention and control has become a combination of products that contain active ingredients from different chemical families.  On a side note, PCNB, a very effective fungicide for snow mold applications was taken off the market to edit it's EPA Label.  It recently has re-entered the market and superintendents are thankful for its return. 

Winterizing the Irrigation System:

To avoid pipe and sprinkler head damage brought on by water expansion during freezing, the irrigation system of golf courses are winterized in late fall.  This entails the shut down of the pump house and the use of a large air compressor to blow the remaining water out of the lines.  The irrigation lines themselves contain thousands of gallons of water but with the use of the large compressor and experience of the first assistant and irrigation tech, the task can be completed in a day.  This is also an excellent time to check sprinkler heads for malfunctions (with thousands of yards of pipes, wire and numerous sprinkler heads it stands to reason that something might go unnoticed). 

Winter Covers/Green Winter Preparation:

Meadowbrook CC is in the process of trying a new management practice in regards to prepping the greens for winter.  Instead of aerifying the greens in early fall, the crew waited until mid-November.  The greens were topdressed heavily with over a quarter inch of sand than aerified, leaving a large amount of sand on the greens surface.  The theory is that the surface sand will provide some insulation/protection to the green during the winter months and the aerification holes will aid in removing water from the greens surface, which can damage turf when it freezes. 

Due to the orientation of some greens, more protection is needed.  Greens that are exposed to northern winds or heavy snowfall are covered with bubble wraps and heavy tarps.  The bubble wraps are similar to the packing material and allow for air exchange between the green surface and atmosphere (to prevent the build up of toxic gases).  The heavy tarps are placed on top of the bubble wrap and protect the green from winds, snowfall and surface water.  The combination of these two is an effective mechanical practice in preventing winter damage. 

Everything the crew does at this time of year is geared towards having a healthy golf course come spring.  Hitting the ground running in late March and April is a huge advantage when the golf season starts.  We hope the members have a pleasant winter and happy holidays.  Enjoy.

Deep Tining

This soil profile taken from a MCC green shows the distinct topdressing and native soil layer.  As you can see the topdressing sand stops at about 4" down.  Traditional aeration machines cannot reach below this depth and to acheive better drainage into the native soil layer, deep tining is used. 

Deep tining requires a special set of tines and machine that most grounds crew do not have in their arsenal.  So here at MCC, the task is contracted out.  With a contractors specialized aeration set they can alleviate compaction issues and penetrate soil layers that regular aeration methods will not achieve.  Tining into the native soil will allow for better surface drainage which translates into firmer and faster greens, even after periods of rain.  It is an important cultural practice, specifically for native soil greens that do not have the USGA recommended sand layer of 12 inches (most older courses do not have this recommendation due to the fact they were built before the recommendations were released).

The process is similar in all aspects to a regular aeration/topdressing application.  The greens are deep-tined following a heavy application of topdressing sand.  The sand is than worked into the holes using turbine blowers and a specialized brush attached to a golf cart.  The goal is to fill all the holes to brim, creating channels for more effecient drainage.  The contractor can complete about 12 holes a day so the entire process will only take a day and a half.  We hope to see a benefit in the form of playable greens after heavy rains, which is key in the spring when members are itching to play and mother nature is ready to dump large amounts of precipitation (the spring of 2011 was one of the wettest on record).

Topdresser and Deep-Tine Tractor in action

Drainage Project on 14th Green

The few members that braved the colder temperatures this week had to deal with a temporary green on the 14th hole.  The green itself is in the process of having drainage lines installed.  The installation of these tiles will be a benefit in regards to playability and maintenance. 

The right side of the green has a slight depression that collects water after most rain events, making cup placement around the area difficult.  Members may have noticed that the approach to the green also collects water, making the area unplayable.  With the completion of these drainage tiles, members will enjoy a better playing surface after rain events.  The staff will appreciate the construction as well.  Standing water makes maintenance practices impossible, not to mention that disease pressure skyrockets during the summer months when an area of turf is completely saturated for extended periods of time.

The diagram above shows the general design and layout of the tiles.  Installation of a tile requires hard work and steady hands.  The sod is removed, the trench cut with a Ditch Witch and the spoils have to be hauled off-site.  Than the tile itself (2"drainage pipe) has to be laid and the trench back-filled with a special blend of soils.  The mix consists of 60% sand (for infiltration and firmness), 20% peat and 20% soil (for its water and nutrient holding capacity).  The mix has to be tamped down to ensure that the tile lines do not settle beneath the existing green surface.  Finally, using a masons trowel to smooth and level the soil at the top of the trench,the sod is replaced and tamped extensively to ensure a true putting surface. 

Over 1200 linear feet of tile will eventually be laid, requiring over 30 tons of mix to re-fill the trenches.  Any construction on a green requires a knowledgeable and attentive crew, so hat's off to the members of the staff participating in the project.  As always, we appreciate the members patience and we hope to have the green open soon.  Enjoy. 

Slide show of 14th Green Drainage Project

Fairway Topdressing

The fairways here at MCC consist namely of native soils (silt and clay for southeastern Michigan).  While this soil has greater water and nutrient holding capacity, they drain very poorly.  Because of advancements in irrigation and fertilization the focus on soil types is more geared towards drainage.  That's why certain fairways (3,4,14,17) are sand topdressed, the soil consistency needs to be altered. 
The practice of sand topdressing these fairways benefits both golfers and maintenance staff members.  As more sand accumulates, fairways become firmer and drier.  These two traits lead to less traffic restrictions (i.e. carts and equipment).  Drier fairways are also less prone to disease, such as brown patch and pythium.  These two fungal diseases require moist conditions to become active, which is less likely to occur in sand based soils. 
The cost of fairway topdressing varies based on the type of sand, equipment and labor hours.  It is definetly not cheap.  However, an arguement can be made that the price of topdressing is offset by a decline in the need for chemicals (fungicides) and an increase in cart fee's and overall rounds played (less restrictions on carts and course closings). 

Large precipitation events will always be a nightmare for general managers and superintendents, there will always be course closings.  But a fairway topdressing program could significantly decrease the longevity of a heavy rains negative effects.  Potentially, carts and large equipment could be out mere hours after a large storm with little danger of damaging the turf or sacrificing playbility.  The crew will be topdressing the previous mentioned fairways over the next couple of days, taking advantage of the nice weather.  For a more in-depth look at fairway topdressing / aerification, read this article by Stanley J. Zontek of the USGA:

Fairway Topdressing

Fairway Aerification

     Football is in full swing, the tree's are turning and golf course superintendents are hoping to aerify their fairways.  If possible, fall aerficiation is very beneficial in regards to alleviating compaction and removing/diluting thatch that has built up over the season. 
     Fall aerification is difficult to plan, the major factor being precipitation.  If the region hasn't seen any precipitation than the turfgrass roots will not be sufficient to hold the turf in place, resulting in lifting of the turf or general damage to the fairway.  If the soil is too moist (heavy rain events) than aerifying will result in a mud-bowl that would cause more harm than good.  The key is having your equipment and crew prepared for when that opportune time comes.

     For the duration of the week (Oct 3rd-7th) the crew will try to aerify as many fairways as possible.  Some, due to soil type and elevation changes, are difficult to aerify but the majority will be cored, processed, and cleaned.  This will pay huge dividends late into the season and coming out of winter.  We hope that members will be patient throughout this process and know that the crew will complete the job as efficiently as possible. 

16th Fairway

Course Overview

The following is an overview of the current/upcoming projects and conditions at da 'Brook.  It was a rough season in respects to the heat, heavy rains and drought but the course came out on top.  Thanks are due to the excellent staff and I hope the golfers enjoyed the summer as much as we did. -Mike Edgerton

Weather:  Meadowbrook has just survived two of the hottest summer on records.  While there are definite signs of injury, the greens have held up well.  Other courses in the southeast Michigan area were not as fortunate as us and in some cases, lost entire greens.  Our hearts go out to those superintendents and members, and we hope that the cool autumn weather aids in your recovery process.     

Greens:  As mentioned above, the greens survived the summer in good condition.  A couple new management practices were used on the greens this year and positive results were observed.  For example, 

14 blade reels were used to mow the greens as compared to the old 11 blade mowers.  This resulted in higher clipping yield, which translates into a smoother surface and better green speed.  

Also, fewer ball marks were observed on greens this summer compared to previous years.  This is due to our new, coarser topdressing sand.  The large particles retain their shape and configuration better, resulting in less damage from traffic (i.e. ball marks).

We plan on aerifying our greens at the end of autumn.  The timing of this will allow for less disruption of the green surface during the fall playing season, along with the added benefit of not needing to aerify in the spring.  Deep tining is a cultural practice that can alleviate soil structure issues far beneath the reach of normal aerification machines.  Seeing as MCC's greens are native push-ups with about 4 inches of topdressing sand on top, we are considering deep tining at the end of October.  This project would not close the course and benefit the greens in terms of drainage and playability.  However, 2-3 weeks after deep tining, a heavy layer of sand will be applied to the greens for winter protection.  This would effectively close the course for the season. 

Fairways: We plan to aerify our fairways in October, weather permitting.  If Michigan does not see enough rain, than coring the fairways causes more harm than good.  This is an important process because it removes some of the thatch that accumulates over the summer months.  Hopefully we will not see too dry a fall. 

Golf Course Improvement Projects:

• The sodding of the green complexes continues and to date over 2400 yards of sod has been laid!  The crew has done an excellent job, tackling 1 complex a week (3 have been done so far).  While extremely labor intensive, the golfers will benefit greatly from the removal of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass in these areas. 
• Drainage installation on 14 green is scheduled for the end of October or early November.  This will temporarily close the green but allow it to retain its firmness and playability in the event of heavy rains.  
• Tree pruning will start at the beginning of November and continue on through the winter.  Also of note, the sickly Austrian pines behind 12 green will be replaced with White Pines in early winter.  The Austrians have not fared well and the native pines will provide adequate protection for the 13th tee.
• As some of the golfers may have noticed, the restoration of the pond off the first fairway is underway.  The muck and silt are being pumped into the geotextile bag placed by the creek in front of the 9th tee.  The sediment will be allowed to dry than can be shaped into a berm or hill at our leisure.  The alternative to this process, dredging, would have left a huge footprint and possibly required us to shut down the first fairway.  We hope to have the sediment dried, shaped and seeded by next June.  

Here is a slideshow highligting the sod project, pond restoration and some photos of the course.

Practice Like A Pro

By Ty McClellan, agronomist, Mid-Continent Region
July 13, 2011

Randomly scattered divots (on the left) remove up to 50% more turf than practicing in a linear pattern (on the right) where each new shot is placed directly behind the previous divot.

Late July is usually the time when there is a lack of turf coverage on practice range tees established with cool-season turfgrasses, such as creeping bentgrass or Kentucky bluegrass.  Heavy play removes divots faster than the turf can recover, and hot, dry summer conditions leave little opportunity for seedling establishment or regenerative growth of surrounding turf.  Poor turf coverage that comes in mid-summer generally indicates that the practice tee is simply undersized for the amount of play received, i.e. there is not enough time for turf to recover before tee stalls are returned to previous locations.  It also indicates that tee stall rotations need to be reviewed for efficiency and that synthetic turf options should be considered at the rear of the tee to provide the additional time needed for turf recovery.
With the exception of an efficient tee stall rotation, enlarging the tee(s) and adding synthetic turf are improvements typically left for the off-season when time and funds become available.  So, until then, what can be done?  The solution resides with golfers.  Since randomly scattering divots can quickly destroy a practice range tee, the better approach is to shrink one’s divots by removing them in a pattern just like the professionals.  More specifically, this includes placing each shot directly behind the previous divot.  This can easily be repeated for up to 10 shots resulting in much less turf being removed.
Let’s take a look at a practical example that was provided by Golf Course Superintendent Chris Pekarek at The Village Links of Glen Ellyn in Illinois.  Mr. Pekarek estimates more than 2 million shots are taken annually from the 1.25-acre Kentucky bluegrass practice tee and that 1.5 million of the shots result in turf removal.  Although divots come in all sizes, the average iron shot is believed to remove a divot 3 inches wide by 6.5 inches long for a total of 19.5 square inches.  After just 30 shots, or a small bucket of balls, 4.1 square feet of turf are removed, given a typical practice routine (30 shots x 19.5 in² = 585 in² / 144 in² = 4.1 ft²).  Therefore, after an entire season, 205,000 square feet of divots are removed from the tee. That's more than 4.6 acres of turf from their 1.25-acre surface.
If instead each shot is played directly behind the previous divot, subsequent divots are reduced to an average size of 3 inches wide by 3 inches long, or 9 square inches.  After 30 shots, this pattern removes only 2.1 square feet of turf. (As the first divot removes 19.5 square inches and the subsequent 9 divots remove 9 square inches each for a total of 81 square inches, a total of 100.5 square inches is removed for every 10 shots, which is typical for this linear pattern.  For 30 shots or a small bucket of balls, 3 x 100.5 = 301.5 in² / 144 in² = 2.1ft² are removed.)  If everyone adopted this method, the annual number of divots removed would be reduced from 205,000 square feet to just 105,000 square feet.  That’s nearly a 50% reduction in the amount of turf removed.
Implementing this simple divot pattern into your practice regime has significant season-long implications at your facility.  So, rather than voice a complaint about the turf during oppressive conditions in July and August, do the turf a favor and practice like a pro!
NOTE: Special thanks to Mr. Pekarek and The Village Links of Glen Ellyn for graciously supplying the information and photos used in this article.  It was Mr. Pekarek’s blog that inspired this month’s topic.

If you would like more information about a Turf Advisory Service visit, do not hesitate to contact either of the Mid-Continent regional offices: Ty McClellan at tmcclellan@usga.org or (630) 340-5853 or Bud White at budwhite@usga.org or (972) 662-1138. 

Pond Restoration

All ponds are in the process of dying.  Organic matter from weeds, algae and wildlife die and decompose at the bottom of ponds and form layers of sediment (muck).  The pond off the first fairway is a prime example of heavy sediment build-up.  The original depth was an average of 4-5" but now its closer to 2".  MCC has hired Sediment Removal Solutions (SRS) to bring their unique approach to pond cleansing and restoration. 

The commonly used method for pond restoration is dredging.  Dredging can only be done under dry condition and after the pond has been completely drained.  The drainage process kills the majority of plant and wildlife species within the body of water.  Mechanical dredging also poses a hazard to the landscape due to heavy equipment used during the process. 

SRS uses high-volume suction pumps placed in the bottom of the pond by two divers.  This removes the sediment along with any toxic gases and nutrients that have built up as well.  The material is pumped into a large silt container that will allow clean water to seep out while retaining the muck.  The silt containers are a geo-textile fabric that will break down over time.  The sediment is than allowed to dry and can be removed from the property or shaped into a berm or hill.  Ponds that are restored in this manner do not have to be cleaned again for another 10 years.

The entire process is clean, environmentally friendly and cheaper than the alternative method of dredging.  The members will be able to witness the restoration next week and if interested, stop and ask questions or visit the SRS link above. 

Sod, Sod and more Sod

The kentucky bluegrass surrounding the greens and bunkers has seen a major infestation of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass.  When these two species are allowed to grow over an 1" in height, they become very thatchy and extremely difficult to play from.  To alleviate this situation, the crew is stripping the turf surrounding several greens and replacing it with kentucky bluegrass sod. 
This is a labor intensive process that requires the entire crew, in order to eliminate unnecessary disruption of play.  First, the existing turf has to be cut, stripped, rolled and removed off-site.  After, the bare ground is aerificated to provide a better rooting surface for the new sod.  Because they are the hardest areas to grow grass, the bunker faces and immediate surrounds are laid with large sod pieces to limit moisture loss.  Finally the rest of the sod is placed, heavily watered and roped off.
It is very important that traffic is kept to a minimum on the new sod to encourage rooting and prevent damage.  The sod has been marked as "grounds under repair" and drop zones have been set up.  If a ball lands in one of these areas please utilize the drop zone.  The successful completion of this project will yield a better hitting surface and aesthetically pleasing green complex.

Homeowner Update; Fall Lawncare Tips

Michigan is finally seeing average fall temperatures and this ushers in an excellent time period for homeowners to focus on their lawns.  Autumn is an excellent time to establish, recover or just maintain your home lawn and here are several tips on how to accomplish this.

• Mowing Height: Many homeowners make the mistake of mowing their lawns too short.  A solid height range for home lawns is 2.5" to 4".  Kentucky Bluegrass, the main species in home lawns, is healthiest when within this range.
• Fertilization: If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, the fall is the best time to do it.  High rates of nitrogen and potassium will encourage lush growth and healthy turf while phosphorous is an essential element at establishment (see next bullet point). 
• Seeding: The summer of 2011 was one of the harshest on record and many lawns took a beating.  From August 15th to September 15th is the best time of year to seed over those lawn blemishes and start the recovery process.  Keep these guidelines in mind. 
• Buy only "Certified Seed".  All certified seed bags contain a minute amount of weed seed as compared to other bags which contain higher percentages. 
• Seed Rates: 2-4lbs per 1000 square feet
• Seeding after September 15th is risky, young plants do not winter well.
• Soil-to-seed contact is needed for the seed to imbibe water (and therefore germinate) so keeping the soil moist is necessary.
• Use a starter fertilizer.  Starter fertilizer is different from other products because it holds a 1:2:1 ratio of the essential elements.  They are high in phosphorous which is the limiting element in young plants with small root systems (Remember; fertilizer analysis stands for Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium)
• Herbicides are most effective on young plants so remember to NOT treat seeded areas of your lawn with these products.   

The range tee at MCC is currently closed for two weeks in order to help its recovery.  Besides fertilization and frequent irrigation, the crew has seeded it at a rate of 10lbs per 1000 square feet.  This is an exceptionally high amount but necessary due to the extensive damage that occurred over the summer months and to establish it as quickly as possible in order for members to practice.  Traffic is very damaging to seeds and young plants which is the reason we have closed the tee to golfers.



"A Tee Grows in Northville"

The range tee is one of the most used and visible areas on a golf course.  With the amount of traffic and heat in the months of July and August, range tees will sustain extensive damage by the end of summer.  As the members have probably noticed, our range tee definitely has seen better days. 

Over 30,000 square feet comprises the range tee with about seven different "lines" that can be used for members to hit off of.  The staff topdresses and seeds these lines with perennial rye grass and low-mow kentucky bluegrass after every usage (once a week) but it is difficult to see germination and growth in the peak months of summer. 

This all adds up to little recovery and a poor hitting surface.  

As fall draws closer we have closed the natural grass part of the range tee for two weeks.  The crew topdressed/seeded the tee in it's entirety and fertilized with high rates of phosphorous which is an essential nutrient, especially when establishing new turf.  All of this is not only an attempt to make the range more playable, but a preparation for winter.  As stated in a previous post, the healthier the turf going into winter the better chance of its recovery in the spring. 

Fall Cultural Practices

Over the next months temperatures will drop, the days will become shorter, birds will start heading south and the Michigan State Spartans will begin their domination of the Big Ten.  These changes in weather will also bring changes in our maintenance practices.  

Right around September, most courses see a reduction in staff members (college students returning to school or seasonal employees leaving).  With a smaller staff certain practices are no longer feasible.  For instance, walk-mowing greens can no longer be accomplished because it takes 5-6 people that are needed elsewhere.   

While autumn colors are beautiful, they are a herald of leaves dropping.  Rotary mowers will be converted into mulchers and several weeks will be dedicated to the removal, mulching and cleaning of the leaf debris that will litter the course.  However the staff at MCC does a good job of keeping greens and fairways playable throughout the fall.
Because of the lower temperatures our pesticide spray schedule changes as well.  Fungal disease are most active during the months of summer and only a few are present in the fall.  With this reduction in disease pressure we can apply less pesticides to the golf course.  Without the majority of fungal diseases, 90 degrees days and extreme humidity's the turf plant will have an optimum environment for growth and we hope to see an increase in root length and shoot density. 
Even though fall is not quite here yet, turf managers are already planning for winter.  Sunlight is key during this period because it has a major influence on plant growth.  A healthy turf system has the best potential to survive the snowy months and everything we do during the fall will be geared to having the healthiest plant possible at the end of it.   This is a drastic difference from the mindset of summer in which superintendents management practices are based on just getting through the day. 

We hope you enjoy and utilize the best time of year for golf. 

Poa Annua Root Systems

Poa annua's Achilles heel has always been its shallow roots.  This year has been particularly hard on the root system due to the record setting amount of rain we had in the spring (constant saturation of the soil depletes oxygen levels which allows for little root growth).  Spring is the optimum time for turf growth, and the plants need to develop a deep enough system to survive the summer months.  Contrary to the heavy precipitation we received in April and May, this summer has seen precious little rain events and many days breaching 90 degrees.  This all adds up to a stressed out plant. 



Fairway Profile Sample

As we enter the end of summer, the plants themselves have a significantly reduced root system and will need to be maintained carefully.  Our irrigation has to be frequent and light, in order to keep the shallow .25"-.5"  rootzone moist.  This will interfere with play, in respects to softer playing surfaces and sprinkler head syringing, and we hope the golfers will bear with us through this difficult time.  Along with being an annoyance to members, the constant moisture in the soil allows for higher diseases pressure in regards to fungal pathogens.  Pythium and anthracnose are two diseases that can cause significant turf loss and thrive in saturated conditions.  To combat outbreaks, we will have to remain diligent with our fungicide applications. 

Disease outbreaks are only one of the problems we face when dealing with shallow root systems.  Traffic (or wear on the plants) becomes a major concern, especially at the end of summer with busy tee-sheets.  Carts and even walkers can significantly damage fairways, tee's and greens.  To avoid putting excess stress on the turf we have raised the height of cut on fairways (from .5" to .7").  In addition, fairways 5, the bottom of 12 and the hill on 14 are being mowed with triplexes.  The lighter weight of these machines should save us additional wear and tear on these highly susceptible areas. 
On average the weather begins to turn in turfs favor towards the end of August.  If we can get by the next couple weeks, the cooler temperatures of Fall will allow us to perform maintenance practices that will encourage root growth.  Aerification is a great way to introduce air into the root zone and we should see a substantial root increase.  Fall is also an excellent time to grow grass and we plan to overseed damaged areas on fairways with Pennlinks Bentgrass.  The coming weeks will definetly be a test of our irrigation and cultural practices but cooler temperatures and heads will prevail. 

The 2011 Men's Invitational



Willie Park Jr. (1864-1925)

 Welcome to Meadowbrook Country Club and the 2011 Men's Invitational!  

The staff has worked hard all summer (through high temperatures, untimely downpours and high winds) and we are proud to present the finished product.  The original 6 holes of MCC were designed by Willie Park Jr. and in order to honor his commitment to the game of golf, the winners will be awarded a sculpture of his likeness.  Over 125 acres are here for your enjoyment so respect the smooth greens, take in the beautiful views, and as always, remember to stay pin high. 

Herbicide Warning for Homeowners

Dupont's Imprelis (a broadleaf herbicide) hit the market in the fall of 2010 and many lawn care companies, superintendents and homeowners used this product on its release in the fall and in the spring of 2011.  Unfortunately, it is the suspected cause of death or damage to numerous trees and landscape ornamental.  There have been reports from 22 different states of tree dieback thought to be caused by Imprelis.  As a precautionary measure, if any MCC members have their lawns sprayed for weeds in the fall, request that your landscape companies not use Imprelis.  This is especially the case if you have Blue Spruces in your yard, they are very susceptible to the herbicide.  For more information, check out this link from the Purdue agronomy department.

Suspected Imprelis Injury Guide

Common Summer Diseases

Fungal pathogens are most detrimental to turf health from the months of May to late Septemeber (based on geographical location).  Along with the heat, irregular events and amounts of precipitation can cause huge outbreaks of disease.  Here are some of the major diseases that have superintendents pulling their hair out.

Dollar Spot:  A common disease found on most species of turf during periods of higher temperatures.  Symptoms appear as white/tan spots smaller than 6" in diameter.  On short mown turf, the spots rarely get larger than a couple inches.  Dollar spot is easily managed but can cause turf desiccation if left unchecked. 

Brown Patch:  Occurs during periods of high heat and humidity, especially when night time temps stay above 70 degrees.  The pathogen appears in turf stands as a large, brown/orange patch (some several feet in diameter).  When dew is present (or high humidity) a gray ring appears around the patch; a smoke ring.  This is where the fungus is active and is a good indicator of it's health.  While patches are large and unsightly, it is rare that brown patch will actually cause turf death.

Pythium:  Outbreaks occur during periods of extreme heat and humidity (over 90 degrees for several days combined with 90 % humidity).  The initial symptoms of Pythium are small sunken patches in an irregular pattern.  They are orange or dark gray in color.  Pythium can spread rapidly through drainage or even equipment making control of the disease difficult.  Finally, the turf will appear dark and greasy and if not treated can be fatal to the plant.

Anthracnose:  A devastating disease that occurs when areas are totally saturated for extended periods of time (heat helps the fungus but is not a necessity).  There are two types of Anthracnose, foliar and crown-rot.  Foliar effects only the leaf of the plant while crown-rot attacks the plant in its entirety.  Symptoms of anthracnose vary but may appear as yellow/orange spots or small patches (usually less than a foot in diameter) in turf stands.  Crown-rot Anthracnose is identified by dark, rotting plant structures such as the crown or roots of the turf.  It can spread quickly and is usually fatal.   

Localized Dry Spot:  A problem common in sand-based root zones.  It is a combination of little moisture and fungus activity that will actually seal off a portion of the soil from water (making the soil hydrophobic), so the symptoms appear as defined areas of wilt.  A wetting-agent is used to break up the tension between soil particles and allow water to filter through.

14 Blade Reels; New Greens Mowers

Greens are the most viewed and played area on a golf course.  All the action happens on the dance floor so it needs to be pristine.  To achieve that degree of quality, reel mower technology has evolved accordingly.  The most recent advancement that Meadowbrook has upgraded too, is the change from 11 blade to 14 blade reel mowers.  With the extra blades on the reel, we have seen a higher clipping yield (amount of grass removed) which leads to other benefits.  These include a smoother surface for truer putts and increased green speed.  Another advantage, is an option the 14 blade gives us during periods of heat and drought; we can increase the height of cut without losing green speed.  Even a slight increase in height will allow the turf to better survive temperature extremes. 

The following is a collection of images from the Brook, highlighting the putting surfaces.

Irrigation vs. Rain Water

During the summer months golf courses rely heavily on their irrigation system.  To keep fairways and greens playable the turf obviously has to have a constant source of water.  With today's technology the process of irrigating the course is no longer a problem.  The problem that faces many courses (MCC included) are the contents of their water. 

With water becoming the new gasoline, many courses are starting to utilize recycled irrigation water.  Some of these sources may contain heavy metals or dissolved salts that can be detrimental to turf health.  While MCC has it's own on-site water source, we do face a potential for soil physical structure damage because of the sodium bicarbonate levels (dissolved salts).  After two weeks without rain water we see elevated compaction on areas of the fairways, primarily the edges because of these bicarbonates.  However, the problem is not too severe and our management practices alleviate most needs for concern.  A periodic flush and use of Calcium fertilizer is required to keep the bicarbonate levels to a minimum on greens.

These practices still cost money, time and effort.  So while one hears superintendents complain about rain, a slight steady dose of it is welcomed.  Rain water doesn't contain these toxins and usually is a very pure source.  Precipitation events are near impossible to predict and amounts always vary (as MCC found out in the spring).  A light rain of about .2" a night would be ideal but unheard of.  As is the case for most thing, a balance between irrigation and rain water is necessary.

No-Play Mondays

On Monday, July 11th, the course was closed and no shotguns were scheduled.  This was fortuitously timed because the Detroit area had just experienced it's 9th 90-degree day and MCC was showing signs of stress. The closing was welcomed and the crew had the opportunity to accomplish tasks that the presence of golfers would have hindered.  Here is a list of completed tasks made possible by the day off.

1. Lightly Topdressed Greens: A light application was made because of the severe heat the past couple days.  This required the greens to be dragged only once to work some of the sand through the canopy.  
2. Fertilized Greens with a Ca/Mg/K Granular: Potassium is an essential nutrient for the plant in times of stress because it helps with recovery.  Calcium was applied to deplete the sodium bicarbonate content of the greens (a toxin to turf).  This fertilizer cannot be sprayed and has to be watered in, making it a time consuming process, one not accomplished with golfers. 
3. Heavily Hand Watered Greens:  This worked the granular fertilizer and sand into the soil to reach the root zone.
4. Watered Greens with the Irrigation System:  The extensive watering was in the hope of flushing the salts through the rootzone, which are detrimental to turf health.
5. Hand Blew Greens:  In order to clear them off of any leftover debris or large sand fragments that could damage mowers.
6. Rolled Greens.
7. Sprayed Greens: The spray consisted of fungicide and more fertilizers.
8. Sprayed Tee's: The spray consisted of a fungicide specific to the disease Pythium which is prevalent in 90 degree and 90% humidity weather. 
9. Watered Tee's with Irrigation System: Banol, the fungicide, needs to be watered in to reach the turf roots.  This is were Pythium inoculation of the plant occurs. 
10. Checked/Fixed Sprinkler Heads:  Perhaps the most important task accomplished yesterday, the crew was able to determine the location of malfunctions within the irrigation system.
11. Maintained Club Grounds/Annual Beds/Perennial Beds.
12. Cleaned Duck Weed from 6 Pond.
13. Mowed Problematic Fairways in case of a Rain Event.
14. Mechanical Checks on Machinery.

All of these tasks were accomplished before the rain we received around 11:30 am.  It is an amazing benefit to have the course closed for a day.  We know course closings will be few and far between with the current state of the economy so the crew took advantage and we hope you enjoy the results. 

<====== K/Mg/Ca Granular Fertilizer applied to greens (not recommended for legs)

Heat Stress

Summer has arrived in full force now in southern Michigan and 80/90 degree days are going to become more common.  With this heat comes turf that displays poor color, vigor and growth (along with a large amount of stress for superintendents).  Combined with these high temperatures, the Northville area has seen precious little precipitation over the past couple weeks.  This is painfully obvious in non-irrigated portions of the golf course (i.e. the rough).  Both of these factors will be the crews main combatants for the rest of the summer. 

                                                Non-irrigated vs. Irrigated

Why does heat have such a negative effect on plant health? There are several reasons, some similar to the effect of heat on humans, while others are specific to plants.  Here are a few of the major ones. 

• High temperatures inhibit enzyme function, which are the catalysts of the important metabolic pathways within plants, such as photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.
• Along with heat comes the release of free radicals (toxins in the plant).  Plants have natural defenses towards these but in periods of high temps and low moisture the plant cannot produce the anti-oxidants necessary to combat the free radicals. 
• Heat can make plant membranes too fluid (not structurally sound).  The turf cannot recover from traffic as well and gives long cut grass a drooping appearance. 

The turf at MCC is of the cool-season variety, which prefers temperatures within the 65-80 degree range.  During periods of high temperatures the turf depends heavily on an extensive root system it grows during the spring. Poa annua (the grass on our tee's, greens and fairways) is a plant that can survive on extremely shallow roots.  However it gets into trouble during times of low moisture and heat because it doesn't have the root length and mass necessary to uptake enough water.  We help it out by frequent, light watering.  Heavy irrigation would keep a large amount of water in the soil but open the door for fungal pathogens that thrive in high heat and moist conditions.        

Dark purpling is a sign of heat stress

The summer of 2010 was one of the hottest on record and while we have not reached those extremes this year, the crew will be babysitting the turf for the next couple months.  Until we have past this tenuous period enjoy the summer weather and quick greens. 

Good Golfers

"Consider the following definitions of good players and good golfers.  Good players have low handicaps, usually hit the ball a mile and occasionally post very low scores.  Good golfers fill divots, repair ball marks, and practice good etiquette each and every time they are on the course." -James Francis Moore, USGA Green Section's Construction Education Program

The pursuit of perfection is the main goal of the staff at MCC.  We want our greens fast and firm, our fairways green and clean, and our bunkers white and well defined.  The crew hopes that the membership shares this desire and that they will consider the following when playing the course.  Together, we can keep The Brook looking great. 

1. Remove tee's after use on tee boxes.  These damage the mower reels which can be very expensive.
2. Exit bunkers from the back instead of walking up the face.  Turf on steep slopes is very susceptible to damage from traffic.
3. Fill divots properly.  If divot mix is left mounded, it too can damage mower reels.
4. Fix ball marks properly, with a pushing motion instead of a lifting and pulling (see previous article)
5. Carts are one of the most detrimental factors to turf on a golf course so please keep the carts on paths whenever possible, specially around the greens and tee's.
6. Please keep carts out of mulch areas.
7. Remember you are playing on a living carpet avoid sharp turns, fast acceleration's and quick stops.  
8. Do not follow another golf carts path.  This will only increase compaction and lead to desiccated turf.
9. Tree's will never shrink in size.  When they do overgrow and cause problems with their shade they have to be removed not only from a turf health standpoint, but for the safety of the golfers and crew.
10. Safety, safety, safety.  Please wait the extra second for a crew member to notice your group and we will remove ourselves and equipment from your shot.

We appreciate your help and look forward to seeing you out on the course.  Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Foliar Feeding

Fertilization is a key component in a golf courses schedule, budget and general health.  With turf being mowed at decimals of an inch, proper soil and plant fertility is extremely important.  You all have probably noticed spray rigs present on the course frequently.  We promise it is not an effort to annoy the golfer but to maintain quality turf with minimal impact on the environment.

Our spray rigs are out so often because, like most golf courses, MCC utilizes spoon feeding (or foliar feeding) management practices.  This implies a light amount of fertilizer applied with a low volume of water that is readily absorbed through the blades or leaves of  the turf plant.  Because the application is light, it has to be repeated frequently (usually every 2 weeks).  With this low level of fertilizer we gain more control over the growth of the plant, which is especially important on greens because of the low mowing height.  Granular (or solid) products do not offer this control because there are so many variables that effect the release of their fertilizer (saturation, distribution, chemical properties).  Spoon feeding products have to be applied more often than granular, but they are cheaper as well. 
How does spoon feeding lessen the impact on the environment?  With less chemicals being applied, the chance of them leaching down to the water table is decreased.  This is particularly important with phosphorous applications because of the dangers involved with this element and groundwater contamination. 

As a side note, golfers and members are sometimes concerned with coming into contact the chemicals we are applying.  The majority of these chemicals are not hazardous to mammals and are not present on the surface for very long.  Golfers would be notified if that is not the case.  We do not recommend eating off the turf but walking through and playing recently sprayed areas is safe.     

Course Detailing

New mulch beds around tree's damaged by herbicide have required the majority of the crews efforts over the past month but with those completed, the existing beds now become the focus.  Neatly edged mulch beds speak for themselves from an aesthetics standpoint and the crew hopes to finish the daunting task over the next few weeks.   

Mulch and pine needle beds serve other purposes besides aesthetics as well.  Exposed soil eventually will turn into a plot of weeds so mulch and pine needles act as a deterrent in that effect.  They also protect tree trunks and limbs from mechanical damage, mowing units do not have to get as close.  Damaging bark at the base of a tree is a sure way of shortening that trees life expectancy.  Finally, double shredded hardwood mulch (the mulch utilized by MCC) decomposes over time, adding organic matter to the soil where the majority of the tree roots are located.  Organic matter will retain water and nutrients in the root zone for longer periods of time. 

600 yards of double shredded mulch will be applied to a numerous amount of beds throughout the course.  Along with 2000 bales of pine straw, the course will really shine on completion of this project.  We hope the members will avoid driving through the mulch beds and enjoy the views. 

 

 

Ball Mark Repair

A superintendents main focus is the greens on the course.  Most of the daily routines are directed towards keeping greens healthy and playable.  However, the golf course crew can only do so much before green repair falls into the golfers hands.  A dedication to ball mark repair by the membership is very helpful and appreciated by any maintenance staff. 

The Brook has just ordered new ball mark repair tools that we hope the members will all use.  The new tool has a different design than traditional models and should be less damaging to the turf.  The traditional tools required a twisting, jabbing motion that severs roots and shoots alike.  The new GreenFix repair tool involves only a light push around the edge of the ball mark and a soft pat-down with the putter.  With the use of the GreenFix tool we expect to see a shortened recovery time for ball marks. 

The GreenFix tools will be distributed this Saturday, June 25th during the Member-Member Tournament.  For a detailed, instructional video please check out the link below.  Enjoy and thanks. 

GreenFix Ball Mark Repair Tool Instructional Video

PONDering Aquatics

Bodies of water are common on golf courses and in numerous landscape developments.  They demand strategic play on the course and are appeasing to the eye in a landscape setting.  However, our ponds and lakes are fragile ecosystems and can easily become a problem if not monitored and managed properly. 

We have placed fountains and air bubblers in the ponds on 1 and 4.  These fixtures are not only pleasant to look at but provide an important function. Disrupting the surface tension of the water is essential in algae control.  Algae blooms can quickly cover a standing or stagnant body of water.  This especially holds true around golf courses, where larger than usual amounts of phosphorous are being applied.  Phosphorous is the limiting element in aquatic settings, and when in large quantities can lead to rapid algae blooms.  The spray technicians at MCC take special care when applying fertilizer around our ponds and brook. 

To control weed populations, golf courses use dyes.  These dyes (usually blue or black) limit the amount of sunlight that aquatic plants receive.  High populations of weeds and algae can lead to fish kill and sediment build-up at the bottom of ponds (from increased organic matter decomposition).  This build-up can eventually lead to shallower, less appealing bodies of water. 

 

Here at MCC, we take a keen environmental interest in our ponds and water features.  Not only do we want them to be viewed as a benefit to the landscape, but also as healthy, life-supporting systems.