September has arrived, and with it, the students have returned to school from the greens department. Although the leaves are beginning to turn on some of the trees around the property, there is still plenty of reason for optimism and excitement throughout the month regarding the course.

Course Conditions

With humid conditions having subsided for the foreseeable future and the days becoming both shorter and cooler, it promotes an increase in favourable course conditions for various reasons.

Similar to how clothing sticks to the skin in hot and muggy weather, the golf ball also sticks to the putting surfaces. The elimination of hot and humid conditions has a positive impact on green speeds. With no sign of the humidity returning in the projected weather forecast, we can expect to see more favourable conditions throughout the entire month.

With the shorter days and cooler temperatures, we can change our moisture management in the greens. In late August and September, we can reduce our moisture levels on the golf course by up to 33%. This alteration makes a considerable difference in firmness and speeds.

In addition to green speeds, the current weather conditions are significantly more favourable for seed germination and continued recovery of the 16th green. The hot and humid stretch from mid-July to the end of August was difficult for the seedlings from the spring and any potential new germination. The cooler weather and reduced humidity levels have improved the remaining thin areas. With additional topdressing and overseeding, the green should continue to see progress and recovery.

Although August may be gone and the unwanted word ‘fall’ may be getting closer, there is still plenty of great golfing weather and conditions to be had in the 2021 season.

If you have any questions about this topic or anything else on the course, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

Chris Bouwers
Course and Property Manager
cbouwers@creditvalleygolf.com