I know we’re all weather junkies. Obviously we have to be to try and stay one step ahead of turf disaster. But usually in winter we can breath a sigh of relief and let everything go to sleep for awhile as we all regroup and the turf takes a little nap. Looks like the winter of 2011-12 is going to be the exception to that rule (If nothing else, here’s to the unexpected increase in your clubs’ revenue stream!). As an example, I get updates from the blog at Traverse City Golf and Country Club in Traverse City, Michigan. You know - Michigan? Where winters are always cold, snowy, and brutal? Steve Hammon does a good job of keeping everyone informed, and January 20 was no exception when he announced to the membership that the cross country trails were groomed and ready. The trails only lasted 3 days as warm weather and rain did away with the snow for the trails. Check out Steve’s blog HERE.
The opposite seems to be going on out west. Seattle was hit with a winter storm that dumped as much or more in one event as they average all winter. Even parts of Alaska are experiencing record snowfalls (272 feet in Valdez - that’s two hundred and seventy two, by the way) and record cold readings (-40°F in Nome, with ten consecutive days of -30°F. Golf, anyone?). Dr. Jeff Masters, co-founder of the excellent weather website Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com) blogs about weather happenings around the world and sums up this crazy winter in no uncertain terms HERE.
So then, the balmy weather this winter has me and others asking the question, “Is my ‘put-the-greens-to-bed’ fungicide application going to hold up?” Luckily the good doctors over at www.turfdiseases.org are studying and researching that very thing. “Degradation of Fungicides in A Winter Environment” is the latest post, and your soil temps are going to be a major factor in disease suppression. You should probably consider pulling the sprayer out of hibernation. It’s an excellent reference and can be found HERE.
If you haven’t heard/read about it yet, GCI will be honoring the best and most innovative social media efforts in the categories of Outstanding Social Media Leadership, Best of the Blogs, Innovative Use of Twitter, and Video and Multimedia Excellence. Read up and nominate by following THIS link if you haven’t read about it already.
I have a Twitter recommendation for you that’s not really considered industry, but it will having you checking your twitter account more often. Follow @_DosEquisMan_. You won’t regret it.