It’s Rough

• December 1st – Andy Bretthauer – Hole #17 • December 8th – Wheels Bauder – Hole #2 • December 15th – Jon Cook – Hole #8 • February 6th – Joe Andrea – Hole #17 • February 17th – Tom Healy – Hole #8 • March 15th – Joe Aloe – Hole #17 • March 29th – David Thatcher – Hole #14

Thank you again for a great season, and we hope that everyone has a happy and healthy summer!

Frank Linquist, PGA Head Golf Professional

MARK CHALUPNIK | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Many of you may have noticed the height of the rough has been lowered substantially. This is one of many agronomic practices implemented to encourage the transition from perennial ryegrass to warm-season Bermuda grass. In our climate Bermuda grass needs about 90 days of growth without Rye grass competition, or it will decline over time.

A fundamental principle in agronomy is that plants compete with one another for four basic resources: (1) water, (2) nutrients, (3) carbon dioxide, and (4) light. Sunlight is the main limiting factor in this equation, as Bermuda grass’ adaptability to shade is very poor. Lowering the height of cut of the rough reduces competition by the Rye grass and increases sunlight exposure to Bermuda grass. An indication of this can be seen by comparing Bermuda grass transition in the fairway vs. the rough.

A well-established Bermuda grass base provides an excellent seedbed for the cool-season perennial Rye grass. This is often times an under appreciated aspect of a successful overseed, and our conditions in the winter and spring months.