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Thinning Bentgrass - PennLinks

6 posts
  1. Jeffrey Koch
    Jeffrey Koch avatar
    0 posts
    8/21/2018 6:08 AM
    My golf course was built in the early 90's and the greens were seeded with PennLinks creeping bentgrass. The greens are primarily bentgrass with some Poa annua. The bentgrass begins to check out in a mottled pattern, usually the first week of August. The greens have reverted back to their parent plants, with a great deal of segregation. It appears one particular clone, lighter colored, thin bladed variety is the being affected.

    I have had an independent Agronomist in a few times in recent years and he seems to think the damage is caused by mechanical damage and release of N during hot and humid periods, the plant gets puffy, and scalped. The last three years we aggressively attacked the thatch and organic matter in the upper profile, but it occurred yet again this August, the first time since August 2014.

    I will be introducing a new variety of bent to the greens and overseeding these areas but has anyone else experienced this issue with PennLinks putting surfaces in particular?



  2. Christopher Thuer
    Christopher Thuer avatar
    101 posts
    8/23/2018 8:08 PM
    We too have Pennlinks, established about 1992/93. Without knowing how our practices compare it is hard to say. Our greens are noted in the central IN area for being really good. We have issues with 1 green that is in a heavily wooded area, that has a low spot that collects water. The low area also gets shade and most of the entry/exit traffic as it is the direct route to the cart parking area. The other 19 greens are petty much poa free.


    The only time we have had a real issue was when the greens got zinged pretty good when I applied Bensumec too soon after a quicksilver ap. One clone took a pretty good hit. As we have an annual battle with moss I have not applied Bensumec since so I can apply Quicksilver when needed.


    In the winter the clone segregation really stands out but in season they appear to be consistent all the way across.

    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN

  3. Christopher Thuer
    Christopher Thuer avatar
    101 posts
    8/24/2018 9:08 AM
    This morning I got to mow greens for a change. Since you brought it up, I did look for clone segregation and it is slightly visible right now but if you aren't looking for it you wouldn't think anything of it.

    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN

  4. Jeffrey Koch
    Jeffrey Koch avatar
    0 posts
    8/28/2018 11:08 AM
    Thanks for the input Christopher, I really appreciate it. I am glad to have good/bad feedback from someone else with PennLinks. How much N do you apply per season and are you pushup or sand based? What kind of thatch levels do you have?



  5. Michael Vogt
    Michael Vogt avatar
    2 posts
    9/13/2018 1:09 PM
    Jeffery:

    Would it be safe to rule out nematodes? Sand greens especially.



  6. Christopher Thuer
    Christopher Thuer avatar
    101 posts
    9/14/2018 3:09 PM
    About 3 lbs total N per year. Depending on soil temps 1 to 2 granular aps in April at .4lb N/m. This season 1 time as it took a long time for the soil to warm up. 14 liquid aps at about .1 lb N/m every 2 weeks in season. 2 to 3 granular aps in the fall at .4.

    Not much thatch and OM levels are in the acceptable range. Looking at aeration plugs the thatch is pretty well diluted. We aggressively verticut once a month and pull out a lot of material. Verticut baskets are full after every green. Following mower fills baskets. We blow off the rest. Topdress behind.

    USGA sand spec.

    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN

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