Winter Turf Inspection

I have been watching the turf carefully this winter.  The mild temperatures have kept total dormancy at bay.  We like to have the turf go entirely dormant.  Dormant turf has a greater cold tolerance, concentrates more sugars in the crown, and makes me feel safe and warm.  Green turf during the winter months, on the contrary, make me not so warm and fuzzy.  I like my turf to have gone through the winter brown and asleep.
So what does a turf nerd do in the winter to check on the turf?


We set up a small scope on a desk and check things out.
We see that we have some turf emerging......



This turf is Poa Annua, or annual bluegrass.  Poa likes to stay active.  This hyperactive little bugger just doesn't want to sleep like it's better behaved cousin, creeping bentgrass.  The photo below shows the right side of seven red green that stays in the shade is actually more active than the left side.  The left side is more exposed to wind and extreme temperatures, which has promoted dormancy.



The concern, for this turf nerd, is that like all of us, turf needs some rest before a big performance.  There is not much time.........go to sleep little poa plant,
Turf

Top Golf

What do you get when you take a bus, golf, and some good guys?
Top Golf!
Top golf is golf in a video game. Points are awarded the closer you can hit to your target and point values change depending on which target you a mat. We had an absolute blast.
We have to beg Dane to organize another trip and we should fill this bus. Top Golf was such a gas. Thank you Dane and Cory for putting this together.
Thanks to the guys who went, you are the best, I had a great time.
I have seen a lot of golf at briar Ridge and I can't remember the last time I've seen guys hit a shot and drop their club. Believe it or not, this happened within 15 minutes of being at top golf. Dropping a club is not an issue unless you're on the second floor and it goes forward and through a net and down 20 feet into who knows where land.
We can't name names, what happens at top golf stays at top golf,
Turf