It’s the ROUGH, and it demands a
good deal of attention, as part of any overall best practices management plan. Rough areas on the golf course often
constitute the largest span of turf to maintain; in fact, at GBCC there are more acres
of rough than acres of greens, tees, and fairways combined.
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Over the past couple of years, the rough
has gotten more attention from members, for wanting better aesthetics.
Beginning last year, the Grounds Crew implemented a plan to improve all things listed
above with some basic, but effective, agronomical practices. Over the past two seasons, by
slightly raising the height of the rough and performing timely fertilizer and
herbicide applications, we have progressively:
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Outcompeted
and lessened the weed population
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Masked
and/or lessened the bumpiness
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Prevented
other grass types from further contaminating the rough
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Created
a taller, denser and healthier turf to help with cooling/insulating during hot
and cold temperatures
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Improved
color and aesthetics
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Lessened/eliminated
turf kill
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Improved
cart wear tolerance
However, now
that we are providing better and healthier rough, at times, it can seem more
penal. Since the beginning of the season,
we have not changed our mowing height or frequency; but the difference is, this
summer’s weather has provided greater than ideal growing conditions.
Now that hot
and humid days are dwindling, and the rough health is optimal, the
Grounds Crew will be lowering the height of the rough.
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