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| ~~The following is the C.D.G.A. scouting report as issued by Derek Settle, PhD~~ |
July 22, 2011 Scouting Report
One
Hour at a Time: Record Heat, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Pythium blight,
Take-All, Physiological Decline, Turf Dormancy, Worn Collars, Tim likes
Fairy Ring Research, and Peter says MRTF
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle - DSettle@cdga.org/Weather Blog
As
predicted the week's weather was dangerously warm and golf playing
sufaces now look a a tad bit wilted and possibly dormant in places. It
was the combination of summer's hottest temperatures accompanied with
humid air. What normally stays south in places like Texas and Kansas
arrived in the Great Lakes. What the heck! At its peak, a heat advisory
warning was in place for Wednesday and Thursday. The last time Midway
Airport hit the century mark on two consecutive days was 1995. I know
1995 well, not that I experienced it on Chicago's golf courses, but
because it is a point of reference for superintendents - possibly the
toughest year to maintain turfgrass. It keeps our work in perspective
and it also says something about 2011. For example, mid-week a
superintendent sent a scouting report. It said, "Dollar spot, Pythium
blight (in the rough), active fairy ring with puff balls (I am sure
there is brown patch somewhere). Poa is starting to thin - raised mowing
heights and no more double cutting. Dry areas are REALLY dry. We water
for an hour and the soil is still bone dry. I'm just hoping to make it
through the next few days, one hour at a time." I could sympathize as
each midsummer I have my share of helping long faces. At season end I
will think of this week - for the heat, the issues, and for the game. I
also just happened to volunteer for a wonderful event where faces smiled
no matter what.
Click here to view the July 22, 2011 Scouting Report.
Have a good weekend and keep your fingers crossed - some forecasters are saying a return to 80s next week.
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program |
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