Looking forward to spring

The winter of 2012-13 presented more of a normal winter in regard to temperatures and snowfall. The month of February was actually the coldest in the last 10 years. We experienced the biggest snowfall since 1978 on February 9th which deposited 21 inches snow on the course. Temperatures have warmed slightly since that snow event and presently 60% of the course is clear of snow.
One of the problems turf managers face after snow events and warming temperatures is the formation of ice on the playing surfaces. Snow melts during the warmer day temps and freezes during the night time when temps drop below the 32 degree level. This freeze thaw cycle can cause thick layers of ice to form on greens where the natural surface water run off occurs. If these ice layers remain on the surfaces for over 30 days some damage can develop on the playing surfaces. To help the water run off the greens during the daytime thaw water channels are cut in the ice to try and get as much water off the greens as possible. Once the channels are formed they are checked daily by the golf and grounds staff to make sure then remain open .In extreme cases ice will be totally removed from the entire surface. A project that is very labor intensive.

Ice cover on Green 3

Water Channel  cut into ice

Surface run-off from the ice melt

 Prolonged snow cover and the wet and cold conditions associated with the snow cover and winter in general can cause a turf disease called snow mold/ snow scald,( myriosclerotinia borealis or microdochium nivale). Prior to the winter snows fine turf areas are treated with fungicides to prevent damage. Greens and tees get the highest amount of attention in these treatments. Fairways are treated but with a more economically approach. At Silver Spring we have 28 acres of fairway turf as opposed to 2.5 acres of greens and tees. We are seeing some minor damage on fairways but greens and tees remain clean so far. The minor damage under normal spring conditions will grow out and be mowed off as we move through the early spring.

Snow mold on #3 fairway