Winter

People often ask what a golf course superintendent does in the winter time?? 

Winter maintenance is often as important as summer maintenance.   The weather can have a huge impact on turf.  While snow is fine, the thawing then refreezing can be catastrophic. In recent years, the practice of applying a heavy layer of top dressing on the greens has helped deter ice damage. Having just arrived to Tam in December, I had not prepared the course for winter.  While snow mold applications had been completed prior to my arrival,  I wanted to immediately get top dressing on the greens.  This practice alone does not ensure success.  It is a combination of several practices which help to minimize any turf damage or lose.  

Another practice is to clear the greens of all snow proceeding a thaw which helps to minimize excess water which can then refreeze forming the fatal ice layer.  This is a very time sensitive practice.  To date there have been two significant thaws which have required us to clear all the greens.  This video shows us clearing 3 green ...

I am happy to report that greens all look healthy to date.  We will continue snow clearing if the weather requires.