Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Frost

We have had multiple frost delays in the last few weeks.  I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding of the later tee times.  Those that have never seen the damage that traffic on frost can do may not understand why the delay.  Grass is made up of mostly water.  When the dew freezes on the ground (frost) the water in the plant also freezes.  When you step on a frozen plant, the ice crystals will puncture the cell walls of the plant and injure or kill the plant.  This can be seen the next day by purple colored grass anywhere frost damage has occurred.  To prevent injury to the golf course, delays are necessary.



Frost Damage (not at FCC)


This is the average amount of footsteps taken by a foursome on one green.  You can imagine the damage that could be done by a few groups playing in the frost.


If you show up to the Club for your regularly scheduled tee time and find that your tee time has been pushed back, you may look out the window and notice the frost is gone but nobody is golfing.  Remember that the Grounds staff still has to prepare the course for the day.  We can not get out until the frost is gone either.  That is why we don't allow tee times until 1-2 hours after the frost is gone.