Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, Conn., endured uncharacteristically warm temperatures in the 90s in both the early part of June and then again at the end of the month. The property also experienced minor flooding issues during Tropical Storm Elsa in July, but Golf Course Superintendent Dave Peterson says his maintenance staff did not have to handle any issues during the storm.
Earlier this summer, temperatures climbed well above normal on parts of the East Coast. The 27-hole Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, Conn., endured uncharacteristically warm temperatures in the 90s in both the early part of June and then again at the end of the month. The city’s average high temperature in June is 79 degrees.
The property also experienced minor flooding issues during Tropical Storm Elsa in July, but Golf Course Superintendent Dave Peterson says his maintenance staff did not have to handle any issues during the storm.
“The biggest thing a storm like that does is highlight areas with poor drainage,” he explains. “We are always trying to minimize the amount and duration of standing water on the golf course. Nothing kills grass faster than standing water and warm temperatures, which we had after the storm.”
However, Peterson adds, identifying areas that hold water for an extended period of time and eventually repairing those areas will increase the crew’s ability to keep grass alive.
Last year Silvermine also felt the wrath of Hurricane Isaias, which brought 60 to 70 mph winds that felled trees and knocked out the power for six days in August.
“The weather ebbs and flows,” says Peterson, who is in his third season at Silvermine. “With every storm that blows through, it seems like we’re right on the cusp of snow or rain.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.