WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and HOW of TRANSITION!


It's nice to be back on the blog circuit again. Since the last time we spoke there was frost, rain, and believe it or not snow falling in north Scottsdale. Since then, there have been a lot of changes happing here at Pinnacle Peak. The cool season is slowly coming to an end and the hotness is sure to follow.

So what changes will we expect to see on the golf course? TRANSITION. This process isn't the sightliest for golf courses in the valley of the sun. But it is necessary none the less. To help explain this process I will briefly answer the What, Why, When, and How of Transition.

WHAT: The removal of the overseeded winter ryegrass and the emergence of the bermudgrass that remained dormant beneath through natural climate changes and a little help from the Maintenance team.

*Notice slight coloration difference in the fairway due to chemical removal of ryegrass

 

 

WHY: Transition is the time of year that is most crucial for us to perform our agronomic practices on the course in order to allow in all ways possible for the berumdagrass to thrive. Essentially, our objective is to eliminate the ryegrass competing with the bermudagrass for sunlight, nutrients, and water.

WHEN/HOW: To deal with the competing ryegrass we implement certain practices throughout the months of May and June including; lower cutting heights (increases sun exposure to bermuda), reduce water use (combined with warm weather wilts the ryegrass out), spray selective herbicide (kills off remaining ryegrass without injury to bermudagrass), and fertilizer applications (provides supplemental nutrients to bermuda).

The implications of the annual Transition process can sometimes be an eyesore during May and June, but is an important part of a successful agronomic strategy to provide the best playing conditions for all our members and guests. I hope with a general knowledge of Transition you have a greater understanding of what you are experiencing on the course and why!

Questions or comments please contact the Golf Course Maintenance office