Sustaining a golf course might be robust in any context. However strive tending turf within the hottest, driest spot in North America, on the lowest-elevation format on this planet.
Bobby Alford is the assistant superintendent at Furnace Creek Golf Course, in Loss of life Valley, Calif., the place the property bottoms out at 214 toes beneath sea degree and summertime temperatures routinely crack 120 levels.
We requested him how these searing situations have an effect on course maintenance, and the way he and his crew handle to maintain their cool. To listen to extra from Alford, take a look at the video accompanying this text.
What to learn about H20
Furnace Creek is a literal oasis. It sits on historical springs that provide what Alford describes as “just about limitless water.” Not that he’d ever need to waste it, which implies the sprinkler heads go off when the solar is up. In quite a lot of locations, irrigating turf at evening is taken into account a no-no, as moist situations, left to linger, invite illness and different issues. It’s a distinct story at Furnace Creek, the place most irrigation occurs after darkish: 8 p.m. to five a.m. is prime time to water, Alford says. “It’s simply not a difficulty for us as a result of the water doesn’t stick round for lengthy.” Typically, he and his workforce spot-water through the day. “However to water within the day you virtually should water twice as lengthy for it to do its job.”
Which turf can take it?
Spoiler alert: not a cool-season grass. Alford and his workforce have tried a bunch of turf varietals. At occasions, he says, he feels they’ve been bought a invoice of products. “Lots of the grasses that firms have prompt we use, all of them sprout good,” Alford says. “However then about two weeks later, they begin to die.” Nothing they’ve tried tops the 2 strains they’ve come to depend on: widespread Bermuda on the tees, fairways and within the tough, and Tifway 419 Bermuda on the greens. “We’ll have occasions when the bottom temperature at evening is 101 levels, and the grass by no means has an opportunity to chill off. Bermuda is the one one that may stand it.”
Leo Sens
Mellower mowing patterns
Mowing is lowered from on daily basis to each different day, which minimizes put on and tear in a irritating season. It additionally offers time for the grass to develop, a key to turf resilience. The longer and lusher the leaf blades, Alford says, the higher the grass can endure the warmth.
Human limitations
To guard its company, Furnace Creek restricts tee occasions in the summertime. If you wish to play 18, it’s important to begin earlier than mid-morning. The course takes comparable precautions with its employees, bumping shifts earlier within the morning (they begin at 4 a.m. as a substitute of 5:30 a.m) and chopping off the work day at midday. Common breaks are inspired, and if the temperatures close to 120 levels, outside work known as off and everyone seems to be introduced inside.
Machine vs. nature
Excessive warmth might be arduous on engines and batteries, amongst different upkeep elements. The treatment is to deal with machines as you deal with individuals, Alford says. Present a lot of liquids — or coolant — and permit for frequent breaks.
