Winterkill is a term that has been floating around the minds of many superintendents. In general winterfill is a catch phrase used to define turf loss during the winter. Winterkill can be caused by a combination of elements including desiccation, low temperatures, long lasting snow and/or ice cover, and disease.
Three weeks ago we went onto the golf course and removed some plugs of turf, then brought them into a greenhouse. These plugs were taken from greens and fairways that have historically had a difficult time coming out of dormancy. Our goal was to get a glimpse into the future of our turf health. From the photos below, I am beginning to feel more optimistic. The only plug that looks odd is in the top right corner. It is poa annua, and came from the 11th green where herbicide drifted onto the green surface. Actually it does not look as bad as it is. In person one can see a good bit of green showing up.
