NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 15, 2011) - Winter overseeding of bemudagrass with ryegrass is primarily done for aesthetic purposes at resort courses. A rich green turf is far more pleasurable to visiting golfers than a dormant brown grass. High traffic bermudagrass tees and greens need to be overseeded to have a better quality turf, while the jury is always out regarding overseeding fairways.
From the course superintendents perspective overseeding provides some bermudagrass protection from heavy play and traffic. It may reduce winter weed growth and ryegrass may help to dry the soil preventing muddy conditions.
Of course there is a downside to overseeding. Those disadvantages include both cost and agronomic reasons. The former is easiest to understand. Overseeding with ryegrass adds a maintenance expense for seeds, fertilizer and labor. Many golf courses have previously assumed the additional expense as a cost of doing business. However many are now re-considering the value and importance of overseeding.
Even when dormant the newer and better forms of bermudagrass, such as MiniVerde, are very playable and provide a positive golf experience for visitors. Along with improved bermudagrass, cutbacks in budget and an unwillingness to pass the cost to golfers have course owners and superintendents taking another look at the value of ryegrass overseeding.
From the agronomic perspective the challenge of overseeding begins in the fall. Slowing the growth of bermudagrass in preparation (verticutting, etc.) for overseeding may not be in the best interest of the grass come spring and summer. The biggest worry is simply - has the bermudagrass survived. New herbicides are available for effectively controlling Poa annua before and after overseeding, allowing superintendents to focus on the health of bermudagrass versus stopping its growth.
You do not have to be a golf course superintendent, or owner to contribute to a golf course’s playing condition. If a fairway is not overseeded understand it’s helping to keep your greens fee reasonable and playability is not suffering. Do note that the tee boxes, greens and around the greens are probably overseeded. Please observe all golf cart rules. Stay off the fairways in wet weather and at all times stay out of wet areas. Cart traffic damage is evident in early summer and hinders the play of future golfers.
Unlike both private and public clubs further north, Myrtle Beach Area golf courses do not close for winter. On the contrary, golf is a year around sport in the “Seaside Golf Capital.” So much of the areas success is owed to the guys with the mowers. They’re the ones with the talent and expertise to provide a great golfing experience, regardless of the time of year you choose to visit.
If you need to know the condition of your golf courses of choice, simply ask the golf experts at Myrtle-BeachGolf.net.
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