Getting ready for Spring to Arrive

2 Green March 17th
Low area in the middle of green severely stressed after this harsh winter.
Desprite being stressed this turf should grow out once weather allows for growth

Finally, it is starting to look like spring at Rockville Links.  Snow and ice only remain in a few pockets throughout the course allowing us to finally get out see The Links.  Although, there are many patches that look beaten up from the harsh winter, I have not seen any areas where we suffered any WinterKill.  Deciding to clear greens to accelerate the ice melt really helped relieve stress from many struggling areas.  (This Process is further details in the previous March 9 blog post)

So what does this mean for the membership of Rockville Links?

The Links needs to continue to dry out and firm up.  Besides walking the crew is not able to get off the main roads and paths.  Hopefully later in the week we are able to venture off road. There is plenty to clean throughout the course, especially from all the geese activity the last 10 days.  

Once we do dry out we still have to keep traffic off areas that were severely stressed this winter.  I would like to see growth and recovery before we add any more stress.  

This same idea applies to greens.  Our greens will be the first turf ready for play this spring.  This is because of internal drainage, better sandier soils, and fewer shade issues than other playing surfaces.  Our greens are also predominately Poa Annua, which is a grass that comes out of dormancy quicker and is better suited for spring conditions than other grasses. 

The 7-Day forecast has every night dropping below freezing and a chance of snow Friday.  Coming into this week I would say we are 10 days behind last season, which had first round of golf played in late March.  Once we get through this next wave of cold weather, we should have a better idea how the season is shaping up.    

The course has come a long way in one week.  Hopefully we dry out, and the weather catches up to spring in the next week!

10 green March 10th/March 17th
Low areas accumulated ice first and held on longer adding extra stress to the turf