~~The following is the C.D.G.A. scouting report as posted by Derek Settle, PhD~~
August 26, 2011 Scouting Report
August
Was Great! One More 90° Day, Summer Patch, Dollar Spot, University of
Illinois Turfgrass Research Field Day, and Tim says Kingpin
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle - DSettle@cdga.org/Weather Blog
So,
now are we happy? Happy? At the end of this week, I can honestly say it
has been a good month - August. Although we hit 93° in Chicago on
Wednesday that will be the last hot day we'll see this month. For the
month it was only our third day above 90° on Sunshine Course in Lemont.
Was it a hot summer? Yes, very. However, all the action was compressed
into the single month of July. On average, it sounds like an 'average
summer' because Midway scored 24 days above 90° and the 144 year average
is 23 days. When you realize most of those days were compressed into
one month you can begin to understand why so many golf courses were
unanimous in one issue -turfgrass loss occurred somewhere on fairways or
greens.
If you were unable to adjust cultural practices during
July you were in big trouble. Worst case scenario was aggressive
cultural practices to produce fast greens stayed in place for that Big
Tournament and that Big Tournament fell during the third week of July.
Well then, hang on for that ride. The ride goes beyond the expectations
of golfers and is the reality of accepting the fact that we are never in
complete control when it comes to the weather. It is understanding that
each season we must watch turf health suffer whenever a volatile summer
weather pattern (heat + humidity) gets stuck above our heads at (Insert
Name) Country Club. All I can say is that I really appreciated the
final summer ride that simply said "August, 2011". I'll gladly wait in a
long line for that ride.
Click here to view the August 26, 2011 Scouting Report.
Enjoy the rest of a month called August!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program
