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 From the News Desk...Harding Park greens on mend after fertilizer mishapby Bradley S. KleinDaily-fee golfers might feel they’ve been burnt because of the temporary closure of five greens at San Francisco’s municipal layout, Harding Park. But it’s actually the putting surfaces that got singed, thanks to an accidental over-application of regularly scheduled fertilizer on July 21. By all accounts the greens are already well on their way towards recovery, and by the time of the Presidents Cup, Oct. 8-11 there will be little if any indication of damage. Day-to-day golf operations at Harding Park are overseen by KemperSports, but golf course maintenance is under the purview of the city’s Recreation and Park Department. According to superintendent Wayne Kappelman, two crews headed out last month to apply fertilizer, and the staff assigned to the odd-numbered greens mistakenly applied too much. The five most severely affected greens – Nos. 1, 3, 7, 11 and 13 – were roped off, seeded with bentgrass, and allowed to grow longer than the other greens that were kept in play. “I’m not worried about the Presidents Cup,” Kappelman said. “But I do feel bad about our everyday players right now.” The rested greens are now growing back, with plans to reopen them by mid-August so that the staff can resume its normal regimen of verticutting and grooming and get the putting surfaces up to full tournament speed in time for the Presidents Cup. Harding Park general manager/director of golf Rodney Wilson said that while he was concerned with resolving the issue as soon as possible, he also knew it’s not unusual. “If you’re in the business long enough,” he said, “something like this is going to happen.” |
 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
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