Page 56 - Jan Sun Rays
P. 56
GOLF
Winter frost delays: a challenge for everyone
Submitted by Gary Wilson, Golf Superintendent
Frost delays on a cold winter Texas “Patience is also a the golf shop to post estimated delays on
morning present a real challenge form of action.” Chelsea. All tee times are moved up de-
to course superintendents and golf pending on the length of the delay. Golf-
staff. We are all at the mercy of Mother ~Auguste Rodin ers should be aware of their expected new
Nature and we want to get you golfing tee times and maintain contact with the
as soon as possible. The maintenance can inhibit a plant’s ability to create dew. golf shops as needed so they can be ready
crews are unable to work when there Sometimes water can be applied in the when the course is open for play.
is a delay and need to be allowed to get morning to physically melt the frost,
out in front of play to set the course up however, if not done properly this method Images below show frost damage from
for the day. can cause a light frost to turn to ice, re- normal foot and equipment traffic when
sulting in a longer delay. Therefore, the no delay was taken. Our maintenance
Frost is simply dew on the grass plant best approach is to wait until it warms staff dislikes frost delays even more than
that crystallizes making the plant hard up enough for the frost to disappear. the golfers, and we ask for the patience of
and more susceptible to damage from all our golfers during our frost delays so
traffic of any kind. Damage incurred During a frost delay, it is the policy of we can ensure continuing good conditions
on a frozen plant may not be noticeable for winter golf.
for a day or two, but the damage is ir-
reversible.
There are many factors that can play a
part in having a frost and how long it
lasts. Though temperature is the main
issue it is also part of a common miscon-
ception. It can definitely frost above 32
degrees and we see it regularly in this
area. Most temperature readings that
you see are not taken at the soil surface;
it is more likely to be the measured air
temperature taken from about six feet
off the ground. On a clear, cool night Couples Golf Association
with little wind, the surface tempera-
ture can be several degrees cooler. When Submitted by Wanda Cussio-Kanode, CGA Media Director
the plant is cooler than the surrounding Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 6, 3 p.m., CCAN
temperature, it will accumulate con- Happy New Year. Now that the calorie ship was scheduled twice but weather
densed moisture from the surrounding loaded holidays are over, join us for fun did not allow for play. However, the social
air. When this moisture – also known and golf! The schedule for 2016 has been was moved indoors and attended by play-
as dew - is present and the temperature set. You do not have to be a couple to join, ers who were glad to be dry and warm.
dips near freezing, it will form the frost. as each person joins separately. Winter
in Texas always means we are never sure I would like to thank the following outgo-
Watering the night before can reduce what to expect, but that is part of the fun ing CGA 2015 board members for their
the amount of frost the next morning and challenge. service: Mary Ann Crowell, President;
by keeping the soil temperatures above Phil Hickok, Vice President of Opera-
freezing, provided the watering takes Quick update on 2015: Club Champion-
place before a freezing temperature oc- Continued on page 56
curs. There are also chemicals which
5544 || SSUUNNRRAAYYSS JJAANNUUAARRYY 22001166 COWAN CREEK BYOHNLOINLEL: SYCTMEXOAOS.ORREG
