Albany Golf Club begins replacing damaged greens

Albany Golf Club has begun replacing three of its greens after a winter fungus severely damaged the turf. Crews recently tore out the affected areas, and new sod is now being installed, Club President Ronnie Anderson said. “We hope to start playing on them in about four to six weeks,” Anderson said.

Anderson explained the problem developed as the course came out of dormancy in the spring. “Fungus got them this winter,” he said. “And by the time you notice it, the grass where it hit is already dead.” Despite treatments, the three greens were too far gone to recover, he said.

The club is replacing the surfaces on holes 3, 5 and 7 with TifTuf Bermuda. The previous TifEagle variety played fast but required more spraying and maintenance than the club’s small staff could support, Anderson said. Hamlin’s golf course uses TifTuf and their experience with it helped guide the decision. “It’s really hardy,” Anderson said. “They water about three times a week and don’t have to cover it in the winter. If we have good greens with good grass, and they’re not high maintenance, that’s what we’ve got to have up here.”

Before sodding, crews also addressed surface contours to remove “turtle back” crowns that had caused shots to roll off the sides. The sand-based rootzone installed several years ago remains in place. “We tried to flatten the greens down some, especially on 3, 5 and 7,” Anderson said. “We’re getting that turtle back out of it, where they just roll off on each side.”

Sod is being supplied by Elmdale Farm Sod Outlet of Abilene and they are also installing the new grass. Temporary greens will remain in play on the three holes until the new grass is ready. 

If the new grass performs well through the winter, the club plans to replace the remaining six greens next year so that all nine holes match.