Enlisting an arsenal against anthracnose

When preparing for a tournament, superintendents might take that extra step to maintain their turf, and those extra stresses can cost them. This was the case for Dave Gribler, superintendent of the Jack Nicklaus-designed The Country Club at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, when he prepared for a Columbus District Golf Association tournament in 2009.

Following the second application of a plant growth regulator earlier in the year, Gribler lowered the mowing height of his bentgrass and Poa annua greens and took a roller across them. With the 90-degree heat came anthracnose, on the 18-hole course’s practice green, third hole green and part of the tenth hole green. Taxing turf in order to prepare for tournament play is a common issue for superintendents.

“We try to push our golf course more than we should sometimes,” he says.

That was the only time Gribler has had anthracnose since he became superintendent of the club in 2000. A longtime Syngenta partner, Gribler immediately contacted the company, which was quick to conduct lab tests. As a result, Syngenta started him on an effective spray program.

Soil tests revealed the anthracnose had built up a resistance to some chemicals. These insights played a part in shaping the program, which is now fully preventative.

The program for The Country Club at Muirfield Village is simple and easy to follow, says Gribler, who describes the company’s new anthracnose products as an “arsenal of weapons.” Because Gribler was on the program, Syngenta provided him with extra product, free of charge.

“They’ve helped me come up with a fantastic spray program, so I pretty much use that as my bible and stick with the list,” he says.

At the end of every year, Gribler goes through his budget with a Syngenta representative.  The representative introduces new technologies and makes recommendations to the program. It has changed over time, at various points including products such as Heritage Action, Daconil Action, Secure, Velista, Briskway and Medallion.

On The Country Club at Muirfield Village's greens, Gribler uses Heritage Action at 0.4 ounces per 1,000 square feet, Daconil Action at three ounces per 1,000 square feet, Secure at 0.5 ounces per 1,000 square feet, Velista at 0.5 ounces per 1,000 square feet, Briskway at 0.7 ounces per 1,000 square feet and Medallion at 1.5 ounces per 1,000 square feet.

“I’m using 100 percent Syngenta products on the golf course now,” he says.

Crew members apply product every 10 to 14 days from April through October, and then sporadically throughout the rest of the year. “It’s not the same product every week or every two weeks,” Gribler says. “We change what’s going down every application.”

While other companies provide products that effectively treat anthracnose, Gribler suggests his industry colleagues try Syngenta products. The company’s site allows superintendents to type in their location and will accordingly cater programs to them. Additionally, Syngenta performs integral product testing and will help superintendents if problems arise on their course, he says.

The most effective product and treatment method against anthracnose depends on conditions at specific courses, Gribler says. “I could say use Heritage here, but somebody might use another product,” he says. “As long as you stay on a good preventative program, it reduces the chances of the anthracnose, but you have to stay with your programs.”

It is important to pay attention to the health of the turf, Gribler says. “When it’s now going to be that hot, I’m not going to do crazy things to the golf course. I’m going to do what’s best for it—not roll, raise heights a little bit on the greens—that type of thing.”

When facing issues on their turf, superintendents should take advantage of online tools and research, as well as network with others in the profession, Gribler says. “You’ve got a close group of friends,” he says. “I think we’re the only profession where we actually help each other out, which is great, and that’s what I love about this profession.”
 

About the author
Patrick Williams is a GCI contributing editor. You can reach him at pwilliams@gie.net.