As we reach the mid-point of August, we have had some warm days, but nothing compared to last summer. Hopefully this trend continues as we approach the fall season. One of the things we discussed in a previous blog was the program to reduce the common Bermuda turf in our fairways. We started in July with the first of three applications. Common Bermuda is an undesirable warm season turf that you see on most properties in northern California. Its presence was enhanced during the drought years due to water reductions and its ability to handle those conditions. The applications will slow the growth of the Bermuda turf as it enters winter dormancy. This will allow the desired cool season turf to establish in those areas. One of the results of these applications turns the Bermuda white as it slowly dies off. You can see this in the pictures below.
In the last two pictures you can see the mixture of Bermuda and cool season turf. The desired turf will take over as the Bermuda slowly melts out. In between the 2nd and 3rd application, we will aerate the fairways and inter-seed new turf varieties. The aeration procedure is scheduled to begin September 15th. The golf course will be closed Monday September 15th.
Yours in turf,
Stacy L. Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent
Sonoma Agronomy 