Winter Prep

A light layer of topdressing sand was applied to the putting surfaces this week following our regular application of snow mold fungicides.  Snow mold diseases will occur with or without snow cover, in cool, wet weather.  The disease will kill turf if left untreated, and we try to spray as late as possible in the year to ensure the application will last 3+ months.  The next step in protecting the turf is to apply topdressing sand that protects and insulates the growing point (crown) of the plant.  Think of the sand layer as a blanket that helps regulate the environment around the plant, preventing it from getting too cold or too dry during the winter.  The topdressing sand will be washed into the turf canopy during the next couple of rain events, and is a benefit to the golfer by way of smoothing the putting surface.  A similar application of topdressing sand will be applied to the par-3 tees and other heavily used tees in the next couple of days, along with some of the approaches that tend to stay wet.  In this situation, the sand layer allows water to move into the rootzone easier, thereby creating a firmer playing surface.

Topdressing #17 Green