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PHOTO quiz |
Answers:
PHOTO A: The brown turf around this cup was caused by heat, or fire to be exact. As it turns out, the water that was in the bottom of this cup froze solid overnight, causing the flagstick to stick in the cup. An employee decided to put diesel fuel in the cup and then used a propane blow torch to heat it up and melt the ice inside the cup so he could mow the green in preparation for an upcoming tournament. As you can see, it not only melted the ice, it also scorched the turf around the cup, along with the cup and flagstick. The green was repaired by replacing the damaged turf with plugs from the turf nursery. The blow torch was also confiscated from the employee for safety reasons. Photo courtesy of an anonymous reader. |
PHOTO B: The thin turf on this green was a result of a heavy infestation of sting nematodes. While all of the greens on the course were affected, the back nine holes are historically much worse. During the fall of 2001, the shallow damaged roots of the turf died, leaving behind only bare ground. A fenamiphos insecticide was being used, however the course experienced enhanced microbial degradation of the fenamiphos, making it less effective. The superintendent made a temporary green next to this one, allowing time to get the primary green back in shape. A 1,3-dichloropropene soil fumigant has been used once a year for sting nematode control, and this green has filled in and is now in much better condition. A mid-spring application of 1,3-dicholopropene will be applied this year, as well. Photo courtesy of William T. (Billy) Crow, Ph.D., landscape nematologist at the University of Florida. Also collaborating on this story was Gina Williams, the superintendent at Palatka (Fla.) Municipal Golf Course and a five-year GCSAA member.
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