It's U.S. Open-a-licious

Not much to report from the West this week; temps seem pretty mild with weather in the 60s - 80s through most of California although the Central Valley has been hiting 90s and Palm Springs is already in triple digits!

Anthracnose seems to be active - not massive death and destruction anywhere, but we're picking it up here and there in the diagnostic lab and through reports from superintendents in California.


Reddish-brown symptoms already kicking in on Poa at UCR

Our poa plots at UCR are already getting anthracnose so it's shaping up to be a good year for anthracnose experiments.

The 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and a Pest You Might Not Know (& Don't Want to Have!)
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you probably know that the 110th US Open is on at Pebble Beach. On TV, the weather looks awesome (clear sunny days) and the course is lookin' sweet.

One problem that you won't be seeing on TV, but one that almost all of the superintendents in the Monterey and SF-Bay area with Poa greens battle is the Anguina gall nematode.
Galling on Poa annua caused by Anguina pacificae

It's a pretty unique Monterey and SF Bay area specific problem that's a pain in the fanny to manage.

Here's a great story from TurfNet about the nematode and how it affected decisions made for the upcoming 2012 Open at the Olympic Club in SF: http://www.turfnet.com/view_news.php?obj_id=448

Some shots of damage by Akoni Ganir (Cypress Point): http://turftime.blogspot.com/2009/12/things-that-kill-grass.html

and a USGA Green Section Pub on the problem: turf.lib.msu.edu/2000s/2005/050907.pdf

In any case, Chris Dalhamer and crew, and the army of volunteer superintendents out on the course are doing a fantastic job! Kudos to you guys and best of luck in the next few days!

Grilling (and Chilling) With GCSA of Southern California

































GCSASC President Robert Hertzing (Lakeside GC), Pat Grodoville (Palos Verdes GC) and Fred Eckert (BASF) overlooking #12 at Palos Verdes GC.

Just a quick recap of the GCSA of Southern California's Scholarship and Research Tournament held last week at Palos Verdes Golf Club on June 7th. It was great to see all of the superintendents who came out to raise money for the universities and academic scholarships!

I got to grill tri-tips all morning long with Greg Fukumitsu and Dean Mosdell from Syngenta Professional Products to feed all of the hungry superintendents and affilates who particpated in the tournament. I am convinced that I'd rather be grilling tri-tips for superintendents instead of saying "yep, you got Waitea" any day!

Thanks to course superintendent Pat Gradoville for hosting and to chapter manager Cyndy Neal for organizing the event!



Ok - until next week, signing off from the right coast.....

Algae and Tri-Tip

Our weird weather patterns are continuing here in California with highs in the 60-80s in many coastal locations and lots of overcast days and June gloom in southern California.

Dollar spot, brown ring patch, rapid blight and fairy ring seem to be pretty active in the state and southern blight is starting to show up in parts of northern and central CA.



With the lack of the usual California sunshine, we are also starting to get a lot of algae samples coming into the diagnostic lab. Under cloudy conditions, Oscillatoria spp. of algae often develop on greens when the soil surface is wet for an extended period of time and often high thatch and organic matter make the problem worse. Algae can seal the soil surface reducing plant growth and some species of algae can produce a toxin that causes turf yellowing.



(photos used by permission, www.paceturf.org)

Improving surface drainage and increasing light exposure will help reduce the impact of algae as will certain fungicide applications. Chlorothalonil (Daconil), mancozeb (Fore) and hydrogen dioxide (ZeroTol) were shown to be very effective in reducing algae in UCR trials. Applications should be made 7 to 14 days apart to reduce the algae. However, if the surface moisture remains high, algae can often recolonize areas.

GCSA of Southern California Scholarship & Research Tournament
This last Monday, I had the pleasure to help out at GCSASC's S&R Tournament at Industry Hills Golf Course as many of our local superintendents played golf to raise money for southern California schools. Greg Fukumitsu (Syngenta Professional Products) drove his industrial-strength BBQ rig down from Ventura Co. to grill tri-tip and sausages for the players along side Dean Mosdell (Syngenta) and Mike Sommer (Simplot Partners). I have no idea what Greg's secret recipe is, but his tri-tip was as addicting as crack cocaine.

GCSASC also awarded three scholarships to some of our local students including Jerry Hernandez (College of the Desert), Brent Barnes (UC Riverside) and Marvin Seamus (Cal Poly Pomona).

I was very happy to have spent most of the day dishing out tri-tip, getting ice and driving VIPs like Jim "Speedy" Lipari and association manager Cyndy Neal around the course instead of looking at plugs of moldy turf. Thanks again to GCSASC for supporting research and education in California!