Article Review
“Old problems, new challenges: Nuisance problems have emerged as major management issues on golf courses” USGA Green Section Record. January/February.
By: Darin S. Bevard, 2009
This article explains that some old problems or “curiosities” on the golf course now have turned into much larger problems. On high end golf courses which are maintained to perfection, any noticeable spot can be criticized, though many of these issues are a lot bigger than the member may presume.
Many more diseases are starting to be a prominent problem on golf courses. One such disease, fairy ring, is a huge problem which causes aesthetic and playability issues. It is a disease that golfers themselves will notice and instantly think the course is in bad condition. The article also states Pythium and Take-all patch are root zone diseases which can be hard to treat when active. Also, earthworms cause significant, aesthetic and playability issues in the fall on some golf courses. I can attest to this issue because, on a trip to Westmount Golf and Country Club, we noticed this issue which made the fairways look unbearable. These worms do tell you that your soil is in great condition.
Some solutions for these problems, as suggested in the article, can be grass selection which can determine the diseases you may be prone to and diseases that the cultivars may resist. Chemical changes are also a solution because some of the newer chemicals have fewer side effects. Irrigation practices can help supress these issues, because if we try to lessen the load, the cool, moist or warm and moist conditions can be reduce. This will hopefully result in less fungus formation. Our course tries to keep nitrogen application low to help keep green speeds quick (member request), however this leads to anthracnose issues on a few greens that do not have much morning sun. This low nitrogen is suggested in the article as a factor leading to anthracnose.
Overall, the low mowing and rolling we do frequently on greens all leads to mechanical stress on the greens. Issues now arise frequently because of the high demands of golfers, and their expectations to have a perfect course. With the level of maintenance and the practices being performed, the article states “ this has allowed better turfgrass quality to be maintained, but it may also provide a better environment for some emerging problems to persist.
