Bermuda Eradication Progress Report - July 19th, 2023

 On July 10th, we completed the 1st application of non-selective herbicide to all of the identified common Bermuda grass that is growing within our fairways, 1st cuts and tee tops. The application went well as it took 8 of us 13 hours to complete. We sent two of our interns ahead to re-paint all of the identified areas. One of our assistants operated our 300 gallon sprayer while the rest of us walked the golf course with battery-operated, backpack, sprayers. The rig operator kept the machine idling and parked in wood lines adjacent to the golf hole. When the applicators emptied their tanks, they walked to the spray rig where we used the hose reel to refill the sprayers. All said, we used approximately 90, 3-gallon, backpack spray tanks to cover the golf course. 

Ten days into the project, the herbicide mixture has taken effect and a lot of grass is dead or dying. 

(Approach #10) 

(Upper Fairway #6) 

(Right Fairway #9) 

(Fairway #13) 

(#11 Approach) 

The herbicide mixture burnt the cool season grass within 72 hours of the application. However, the Bermuda has been much slower to die-back. Although, as of today, the Bermuda is finally succumbing to the herbicide, there were a few days last week where it looked like the Bermuda was unscathed relative to the surrounding Bent grass or Bluegrass. But not to worry, we fully anticipated this reaction. One of the ingredients in our mix is an adjuvant which is designed to destroy the outer cuticle of the grass blades. By removing some of the waxy, protective, cuticle, more herbicide is absorbed by the plant. However, this adjuvant is very "hot" to cool season grass. So, much of the quick burn on the Bent grass was more a product of the adjuvant and hot temperatures than the actual glyphosate and fusillade. Since the picture below was taken, much of that green tissue within the Bermuda patches has started to die back. 

(Persistent Bermuda - #8 Approach) 

This past Monday, July 17th, we took our 4th walk throughout all of the fairway, tee and 1st cut surfaces. This scouting walk was done to identify Bermuda that we may have missed on the previous scouting walks. As it turns out, this Bermuda is very sneaky and hides well in the turf canopies. Again, there were 8 of us who walked, marked and sprayed any Bermuda that slipped past the previous application. We will continue this scouting technique every Monday through the middle of August. We are determined to locate and spray as much of this grassy weed as is humanly possible. 

(Newly Identified Bermuda - #10 1st Cut) 

This coming Monday, July 24th, we will likely make our 2nd, full-scale application. As long as the Bermuda shows any green tissue, there will be translocation of the herbicide. We knew this project would take 4-5 applications and this is why this "reset" must be done while: (1) the Bermuda is actively growing and (2) early enough in the summer to provide ample time for multiple applications. We do know that we will cover as much ground as possible and by the end of August, there will be a lot of dead common Bermuda grass at Kinloch Golf Club! 

A few other questions that I would like to address: 

Q: What will you do once you have achieved kill on the Bermuda? 

A: In early September, with the help of our contractor, Landscapes Unlimited, we will sod cut and remove all of the dead turf. Those areas will be sodded with new creeping Bent grass and thermal Kentucky bluegrass. By the middle of September, all of the sod will be installed. From our September reopening until October 5th, we will RESTRICT ALL CART USAGE to CART PATH ONLY. During this 3 week period, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS. 

Q: Will this be an Annual event? 

NO!!! The strategy is to "RESET" the fairways, tees and 1st cuts. In subsequent years, we will keep the herbicide applications confined to our scheduled closures. You should not expect to see a project of this size and scope during normal operating hours. The efficacy of a tighter window will be less effective, but by resetting the golf course now, the spot spraying in the future will be on a much smaller scale and much less visible to our membership and their guests. But, we will be spot spraying common Bermuda grass from now until beyond yours or my time at KGC:) 

Finally - a Thank You!! Our assistants: Adam Sauls, Duggan Cannon, Ian Stusak, Jake Morgan and Peyton Fristoe have been absolutely phenomenal. And not just applying the herbicides and painting squares, but in their overall approach to this summer on top of this project. The pm mowing's, early morning fungicide applications and 7-day/week schedule have been a grind and they have not flinched. We are so fortunate to have this team. 

We will update you again in 2 weeks! 

Bermuda Eradication Set to Start Monday, July 10th

 As we enter the (early) teeth of summer, the golf course is in excellent condition. We are noticing some light stress in isolated areas, but on the whole, the golf course is strong. 

However, on July 10th, weather permitting (the forecast is looking a touch risky), we will apply our first round of non-selective herbicide to any common Bermuda grass that is growing within our fairways and 1st cuts. Once these herbicides kill the grass, there will be patchy areas of burnt turf throughout certain tees, most fairways and certain 1st cuts. 

There is no denying that there will be some pain in executing this project, but the common Bermuda grass will only continue to intensify in size and density. By resetting the golf course this summer, we will be able to employ a long range plan where we hope you never have to see or notice common Bermuda again😊.

On June 26th, our consultant, Steve Mcdonald, visited Kinloch and this project was one of the main topics of our conversation. Steve was able to reinforce that we have the RIGHT strategy in place and that, once executed well, we will be able to mitigate any resurgence with little disruption in future seasons. So, we appreciate your patience as we begin this project. 

In preparation for this coming Monday, myself and our two senior assistants, Adam Sauls and Duggan Cannon, walked every fairway, tee and first cut... mower stripe by mower stripe! We were able to closely examine the turf and mark the areas of infestation. 

Even though we have the Bermuda mapped through our drone footage, we thought it best to fully confirm exactly where we will need to spray. Although time consuming, this methodology will allow us to surgically apply the herbicides so that all of the Bermuda is sprayed while sparing as much "clean" turf as possible. 

In addition to the emails, blog posts, slide shows and other forms of communication, we have also purchased aluminum signs that will be posted throughout the property. 

For any Members or guests who may have missed our past communications, these signs will help alleviate any surprises. In my next post, I will have updated photos of the sprayed turf and as mentioned previously, the Bermuda will need 4 applications of these herbicides. These applications will be spaced out over 2-3, week, intervals and those intervals will allow the Bermuda time to resurge and translocate each application. All of the science suggests that after 4 applications, the Bermuda will be killed. 

Although there will be some unsightly pain with this project, we are beyond excited to reset our turf for years to come. And to bring a little levity to the situation, please enjoy the photo of one of our members using our paint work as a crime scene photo 😅

Herbicide Application Evaluation

 We are now 3 weeks from our first application of non-selective, herbicide to be applied on the mapped areas of Bermuda grass infestation. As I have shared in previous posts, we identified the Bermuda within our fairways by using aerial, drone photography. We conducted the drone flights this past winter when the Bermuda was fully dormant. The color differential between the Bermuda and the Bent was extremely evident which allowed us to draw GPS boundaries around the Bermuda. 

Last week, we loaded the sprayer with water and turf paint. We then printed off our maps and watched as the sprayer crossed over the boundaries within the fairway. We were very pleased with the accuracy of the maps and the mechanical functionality of the sprayer. 

This coming week, we will ratchet up the "stakes" by applying Pylex to the Bermuda areas. The Pylex, applied at .1 oz/acre will not kill the Bermuda (or we would just use that:), but it will bleach it white. By using the herbicide and the subsequent color reaction, we will then be able to visually inspect the accuracy of the drone maps and the accuracy of the sprayer itself. Should we notice overspray or misses, we will note those areas and supplement the applications with hand work. 

Once the Pylex is sprayed next week, it will take a week or so to notice the discoloration. In our next post, we will report back on the success of this second test. 

*As a continued reminder, the first herbicide application is scheduled for July 10th, 2023. From July 15th through our August closure, please expect randomized areas of dead/burnt turf scattered throughout the fairways.* 

Bermuda Grass Eradication Set to Begin in 30 Days

 Now that we are 30 days from our first herbicide application, I will send weekly reminders about our Bermuda Grass Eradication Project. 

Weather permitting, we will apply our first round of herbicides on Monday, July 10th. 

I. What to Expect: 

On or around July 15th, you will begin to notice scattered, irregular areas of burnt turf throughout the fairways and 1st cuts. The amount of affected turf will vary amongst the golf holes. For example, there will be little disruption on golf holes 1-5. Conversely, there will be noticeable, impacted areas throughout golf holes: 8,9,10,11,12 and 13. On July 10th, when we make our first herbicide application, there will be posted signs explaining the project and instructing the player to consider any "burnt area" as Optional Ground Under Repair. These areas will be sprayed again on July 31st, August 21st and September 1st. So, from about July 15th through our scheduled summer closure, beginning on August 22nd, these areas will be dead. On Labor Day, we will begin stripping and replacing all of the dead turf. 

II. When to Expect: 

1. July 15th through the Summer Closure - Scattered, dead areas of turf throughout fairways and 1st cuts 

2. September 1st through September 15th - All impacted turf will be stripped and replaced with new bent grass 

3. September 16th through September 30th - The new sod will root in. 

4. October 1st through October 31st - The golf course will look and play at nearly 100% of expectation. The only noticeable remnant of the project will be slower healing sod seams. We expect the fall golf season to be spectacular!! 

III. Why: 

This project is a tremendous investment in the betterment of Kinloch Golf Club. The Common Bermudagrass will continue to spread over time. Now is the time to reset our fairways for many years to come. 

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we continue to make Kinloch better and better and better...  

Feel free to call or email should you have more specific questions!