Problem A: Missing turf in irregular spots and lifted turf
Location: Cape Schanck, Australia
Turfgrass area: Rough around putting green
Turfgrass variety: Bentgrass
Problem B: White powdery substance on tree branches
Location: Eastchester, N.Y.
Turfgrass area: Area just off tee
Turfgrass variety: Arborvitae
Scroll down for answers.
Problem A: Missing turf in irregular spots and lifted turf
The missing turf in irregular spots and lifted areas of turf are the result of the two small front teeth on grey kangaroos. This course is located in Cape Schanck, Australia, and is surrounded by a national park called Mornington Peninsula, which is home
to quite a few of these kangaroos. Between 25 and 50 individual kangaroos live in several groups that move between the club’s three golf courses, the national park and farmland on another adjoining boundary. They nibble on the bentgrass surrounds
of various holes when the unirrigated roughs and natural bushland begin to dry out. Even though the damage is unsightly, it is not significant and can be cleaned up with regular mowing. The superintendent also reports that it almost provides natural
verticutting of longer stolons. Thankfully, the kangaroos don’t seem to have much of an appetite for the shorter-cut bentgrass on the greens.
Photo submitted by Tony Gordon, golf course superintendent at The National Golf Club in Cape Schanck, Australia, and a 28-year GCSAA member.
Problem B: White powdery substance on tree branches
The superintendent at this golf course was driving by this tee in mid-afternoon, and he saw discoloration on the bottoms of these arborvitae trees. He turned his utility vehicle around to take a closer look, hoping it was not a disease of some sort setting
in. As he approached, he realized that earlier that day, the crew had performed a heavy winter topdressing of greens with a spinning type of topdresser, and the operator apparently had some leftover sand that he decided to apply to this tee. The trees
still had some morning moisture on them, and when the topdressing hit the bottoms of the trees, it stuck to the lower branches. Luckily for us, the superintendent took a couple of quick photos because he knew it would be a good Photo Quiz submission.
Photo submitted by Timothy Walker, CGCS, at Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester, N.Y., and a 25-year GCSAA member.
Editor’s note: Have a photo of an on-course anomaly? GCM would love to have a look! Email it to Photo Quiz author John Mascaro.
John Mascaro is the president of Turf-Tec International.