It has always been our greatest desire to give our patrons the best possible experience at Squaw Valley Golf Course. We agree that the greens currently do not look or play to our standards. Over the last several weeks, greens on both courses have struggled mainly due to extreme poa populations. In the last couple of weeks, however, the greens have greatly improved with the help of much needed rain, warmer temperatures, and through cultural and mechanical applications and procedures. Our challenge is to encourage Bermuda grass growth and discourage poa growth at the same time.
We care very much about taking care of our surface areas and eliminating the invasive poa at Squaw Valley. Beginning last August and throughout the winter, we spent over $18,000 applying approved herbicides, both pre-emergent and post-emergent for poa. What seems to have worked for others has not worked for us the past few years and what didn’t work in areas last year, worked great this year and vice versa. Despite being in certain times of the year, we tried some unconventional methods of battling the poa and it actually helped briefly but then we entered weather prime for poa and it has been a battle ever since. It has been somewhat unpredictable and frustrating but we remain resolute to reach a resolve with better results. We are certainly not the only golf course dealing with poa and have done our best to communicate with the courses that have had success while investigating true remediation. This battle has gone on for the last 8 to 10 years at Squaw Valley and this conversation and problem is always very present this time of year.
As a mechanical method, we dropped the mowing height to lower than we have ever mowed the greens in the spring in an attempt to match the poa height and the Bermuda height. We also applied a “push” to the Bermuda by fertilizing. But along with feeding the Bermuda, we are also feeding the poa. Our goal is to have the Bermuda out-compete and defeat the Poa. High temperatures will help this greatly. At the same time, we are verticutting, poking small holes, top dressing, and rolling the greens. These efforts have resulted in a significant improvement. We are applying these techniques on all the greens that we possibly can while we are managing multiple tournaments and events. Patience is
always greatly appreciated during this extremely busy time of year but please know that although it is very challenging to apply certain maintenance tasks simultaneously, the Squaw Valley Staff is constantly implementing and planning to give our golfers the best possible experience. As always, we are always open to questions or concerns so please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your patience and your continued patronage!
Squaw Valley Golf Course
Somervell County, Texas
