Mother Nature Damages Area Clubs

An excessively hot summer and flooding from Hurricane Irene has taken a toll on two area clubs. In July, the heat wave that brought 100-degree temperatures to the Northeast damaged the greens at Scarsdale Golf Club (SGC) on Clubway in Hartsdale. In July the Golf Course Superintendent noted that several of the greens were straw colored, thinning and showed signs of blight. He sent samples of the greens to laboratories and found that the grass suffered from summer stress as a result of drought, high temperatures and nutrient deficiency. What was the recommended treatment? The club was advised to reduce stress on the grass and improve air circulation to allow the greens to recover. Greens keepers removed trees and bushes that limited sunlight and air movement around the greens, placed temporary fans near the afflicted areas and mowed less frequently; however they were not able to halt the damage. As a result, in order to keep the course open for play, temporary greens had to be installed at many of the holes.

The SGC greens are planted predominantly with annual bluegrass (Poa) which germinates in the fall, spreads in the winter, produces seed in the spring and dies in the summer. The weak shallow roots could not survive in the extreme heat and humidity. While the temporary greens were in place, the club seeded with new Bentgrass varieties and aerified the greens. As of September 2nd, 12 regular and 6 temporary greens were open however, the entire course will be closed from September 6- 10. On September 10, the club hopes to reopen the course including all of the regular greens.

Next year, the Club reports that they may have to close a select number of greens for a period of up to four weeks in August. They plan to groom trees to improve airflow and will continue to use temporary fans. These measures should give the greens the chance to recover.

At County Tennis on the Bronx River Parkway, which will celebrate its centennial next year, Mother Nature caused a different problem. Heavy rain from Hurricane Irene on Sunday August 28th flooded the Bronx River. As it overflowed, it washed away seven tennis courts at County, which is located directly on the river. In the interim, the club made arrangements with other tennis clubs to accommodate their members.

The courts at County need to be repaired immediately. Wood retaining walls, curbs and fences all have to be put back in place and the club does not have the funds to do the work. As a consequence they have assessed their members to fund the work and also applied to FEMA, the USTA and Westchester County for relief.