Green & Grounds

From Doug Hall

We at green and grounds have begun with a ryegrass removal program on the fairways. I'm sure everyone has noticed the darker green patches of grass in the fairways these are patches of perennial ryegrass. Ryegrass was the previous grass used before the fairways were converted to bentgrass some years ago. As time passed and voids were created in the bent, the bank of ryegrass seed existing in the soil began germinating and quickly filled those voids much like the poa annua. We have begun spraying a selective herbicide that will target bunch type grasses such as ryegrass, the bunchtype refers to their growing habits. This process unlike the poa annua removal which is a slow gradual process will eradicate the rye quickly and voids in the turf will be noticeable, however the bentgrass will creep over these voided areas. We have begun this process on numbers 10,11,and 12 and we will monitor the progress of both the eradication of the rye and how quickly the bent fills in the affected area before we proceed on larger areas. This process while it may be a short term inconvenience will provide long term uniformity and beauty that you have come to expect on your golf course. Thank you for your patients and please contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments at dhall@tgcc.net.

Sincerely,
Douglas J. Hall
Golf Course Superintendent
Towson Golf and Country Club