Goodbye to Summer

Summer 2019 has finally come to an end.  Fall is here, and the course can now take a well deserved rest from the challenges that this past summer has thrown at it.  Some people think that a wet summer like we have had should make for an easy year on the course.  Unfortunately with the extra moisture comes other problems.  Excessive moisture and a lack of wind this year has caused more disease than I have seen in the previous 12 years combined.  The pre-emergent weed control efficacy washed away early, and we have a significant amount of weed contamination over the course.  My grub control was also  impacted by the rain, and we had more grubs than I have ever had before.  In my 23 years as a golf course superintendent, I have never been so excited to put a summer behind me as I am this year.  The last 10 weeks have been some of the most difficult weeks I have ever experienced on a job.

Fall seeding is complete.  We finally have had a time with enough timely moisture to get the seed growing and keep it alive.  We will see the benefits of this heading into next spring.  The amount of seeding that was done this fall is significantly less than in previous years.  This is a benefit of the wet summer that we had.

We have sodded out the worst areas on the greens and it will take some time and effort to get these areas smooth and ready for play.  There are still some thin areas on the greens that should disappear quickly.

Every year brings a fresh set of challenges to growing grass on a golf course.  While I am excited to see the summer of 2019 in my rear view mirror, I have certainly learned a few things.  I will improve on my practices.  I vow to do better in the future.  I will take a deep breath for a moment, and gear up, because the leaves are starting to fall and it is time to get ready for what comes next.