Effects Of Heat Stress on Turf

In the past week, we had our longest days of the year and temperatures above 90 degrees F for six straight days.  The peak day had a temperature of 101.7 degrees.  Since the course is made up of predominately cool season varieties of turf, there were many areas of heat stressed turf. Most of those occurred on south facing slopes or in high cart traffic areas.  Areas of predominately Poa annua were the most severely effected.

Below are some examples of areas that took a beating in the hot weather:

Luckily, the hot weather has passed and we are working to bring the stressed areas back.  Unfortunately, it will take a few weeks to get things all the way back to normal.