Glen Eagle Maintenance (1/28/26)

Well if I thought it was cold last week Mother Nature took it as a challenge and is giving us the coldest temperatures our area has seen in 16 years. Some forecasts for Sunday and Monday are predicting temperatures in the low 30’s with windchills in the 20’s. I know parts of the country are much colder but for SW Florida that is pretty cold. I did hear one comment this week to keep it in perspective, that was,  “it may be cold but at least we don’t have to shovel it”.

We did have 0.3” of rain earlier this week which again isn’t enough to make a difference in our lakes but along with the warm weather over the weekend, helped the turf color and density.

Pictures after the weekend, before the really cold stuff got here…

The course was looking good on Monday and Tuesday, sunny days and the aforementioned rain and warm weather produced adequate chlorophyll production in the plant to produce good green grass. That’s all about to change though. Now that the cold weather is here, and the soil temps dip into the 50’s the turf will slow down its internal physiological processes which means less chlorophyll production. Less chlorophyll equals less green and reduced growth.

Bermudagrass like we have here at Glen Eagle is a warm season grass. When temperature get cold, it naturally slows its internal processes. Chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for green color, is produced thru temperature sensitive reactions. Those reactions slow down, photosynthesis becomes less efficient and the grass produces less chlorophyll. At the same time, chlorophyll continues to break down which leads to the lighter green or straw colored appearance of the grass. This is a normal response and not an indication of turf decline. As temperatures warm back up, the chlorophyll production process increases and the turf regains its color again. How long that takes depends on the duration and severity of the cold weather. If it is a mild cold like we normally have, it may happen in a matter of a few days but severe and prolonged cold temperatures can force a longer shutdown that we call semi-dormancy which takes much longer for the turf to recover.

I will try and document the effects of the cold weather with pictures that I take over the next week and compare them to the pictures above. During this cold period it is extremely important to use the 90 degree rule, scatter cart traffic, fill divots, and repair ball marks. Unprepared stress to the course, if not treated properly, will be visible for weeks and weeks to come.

We will be monitoring the weather closely and adjusting our maintenance practices accordingly, including reducing irrigation as the turf won’t need as many inputs over the next week or so while it is slowed down due the to cold weather.

Bundle up and have fun our there!

I look forward to seeing everyone on the course (under several jackets 😂), and as always, if you have any questions, flag me down or shoot me an email. I always enjoy talking turf!

Glen Eagle Maintenance (1/21/26)

Cold Temperatures and Course Conditions Update

All I can say right now is brrr — it has been cold by Florida standards over the past week. A cold front moved through last Thursday night and brought with it 0.6 inches of much-needed rainfall. While that amount was not enough to make a meaningful improvement in lake levels, the turf and landscape plants responded very well to the fresh water.

An added benefit of the rain was the ability to turn off irrigation for two nights. Although lake levels did not rise significantly, we were also able to avoid any measurable water loss during that period, which is a win given our current water situation.

Despite the cold weather — which naturally reduces chlorophyll production and slows turf growth — overall color across the golf course has remained good. We may still experience some loss of color in the coming weeks, and recovery will be slower than during warmer periods, but the course continues to be in good condition overall.

Dry Areas on the Course

As you play the course, you may notice some brown or dry areas, particularly on a few tees and fairways. These areas are the result of the extended lack of rainfall throughout 2025, which has led to some weakened and drought-stressed turf.

Given our low lake levels and limited water supply, I have made the decision not to “chase” these areas with additional irrigation. Attempting to force recovery in isolated areas would require a disproportionate amount of water, and the return simply does not justify the use of such a limited resource.

As discussed during Monday’s Greens Committee meeting, irrigation levels across the golf course and common grounds have not been reduced at this time, but we also cannot afford to increase them. As a result, areas that dry out naturally are something we will need to accept for now.

This approach may become a theme of the 2026 golf season. With little rainfall expected in the coming months, irrigation reductions may become necessary as we move deeper into the season to ensure we do not exhaust our water supply before the 2026 rainy season arrives.

Greens Maintenance Update

One notable practice this week — aside from trying to stay warm — was pencil-tine aerification on the greens. This process improves water and air movement within the soil, encouraging deeper root growth and promoting overall turf health. Pencil tining is minimally disruptive and plays an important role in maintaining healthy putting surfaces, especially during periods of environmental stress.

As always, we appreciate your understanding and support as we manage the golf course through challenging weather and water conditions. Our goal remains to provide the best possible playing experience while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the course (under several jackets 😂), and as always, if you have any questions, flag me down or shoot me an email. I always enjoy talking turf!

Glen Eagle Maintenance (1/14/26)

This week’s weather is shaping up to be a bit of a roller coaster. We started the week with warm temperatures, transition to slightly wetter conditions midweek, and then see a sharp cool-down to close out the week.

The recent stretch of warm, sunny weather has encouraged turf growth across the golf course. You may notice improved color and recovery as the grass has been responding well to these favorable conditions. However, that growth will slow considerably toward the end of the week. As temperatures drop, and early morning lows flirt with the upper 30s beginning Friday, turfgrass activity will naturally decline.

A forecasted quarter inch of rain early Thursday morning will be a welcomed boost for the course and landscape. While this rainfall will provide some short-term relief, there will still be visible dry areas throughout the golf course and common grounds. This is due to the overall lack of significant rainfall and our continued reduction in irrigation as we work to preserve available water for use in our lake system.

During this time of reduced irrigation and colder weather, while turf growth declines, it is very important to treat the course with the utmost care. That means, filling divots, repairing ball marks, keeping carts on paths (all 4 tires) near tees and greens and practice the 90 degree rule.

Here is an article on why we use the 90 degree rule. In the article, they suggest that it is used in times of turf stress, I believe the 90 degree rule should always be in effect and used every time it is particle to do so. After all, practice makes perfect.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/63/issue-14/the-ins-and-outs-of-the-90-degree-rule.html

Cold Weather and Frost Potential

One of my immediate concerns when temperatures are near or below 40 degrees is the potential for frost. It is rare but there are times when we get frost in our area of Naples. If frost does form, it can mean delays in play, and potential damage to plants.

The factor that I monitor most, leading up to cold temperatures is wind. Since we almost never get cold enough for frost to form due to temperature alone, I know if we have wind that frost won’t form.

One of the other factors that plays a large role in frost formation is the dew point. The dew point plays a major role in whether frost forms, how heavy it is, and how damaging it can be and is especially important for turf and landscape management.

Here is how it works

The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated and moisture begins to condense. When air temperatures fall to the dew point, moisture in the air can condense as dew or, if temperatures are cold enough, frost.

How Dew Point Affects Frost Formation

1. Low Dew Point = Higher Frost Risk

• When the dew point is well below freezing (32°F), the air is very dry.
• As temperatures drop overnight, surfaces (grass, leaves, cart paths) cool rapidly.
• With little moisture in the air, heat escapes more quickly, increasing the likelihood of frost formation.

Friday’s dew point is forecasted to be 26 degrees so if dew point was the only factor for frost formation, we would be expecting frost on Friday.

2. High Dew Point = Lower Frost Risk

• A higher dew point means more moisture in the air.
• Moist air holds heat better and cools more slowly.
• As moisture condenses, it releases latent heat, which can limit how cold surfaces get, reducing frost severity or preventing frost altogether.

Not the conditions we expect on Friday.

3. Frost Without Freezing Air Temperatures

• Frost can form even when air temperatures are 36–38°F if:
  
• Dew point is low
• Skies are clear
• Winds are calm
• Turf surfaces can cool below freezing even if the thermometer doesn’t.

Practical Turf Management Takeaway

• Clear skies + calm winds + low dew point = high frost potential
• Monitoring dew point is often more important than just the forecasted low temperature when making decisions about:
  
• Frost delays
• Turf traffic
• Morning maintenance operations

In short, the lower the dew point, the greater the frost risk and severity. This is why some cold mornings produce heavy frost while others with similar air temperatures do not.

At this time, it looks like we could potentially have several factors (low temps, clear skies, low dew point) that would normally signal frost, however, if the prediction stays true, the wind coming out of the North should be strong enough to prevent frost. That is why I keep the closest eye on the wind forecast in cold weather here in SW Florida.

If you are playing golf or going to be outside Friday morning, bundle up and stay warm.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the course (under several jackets 😂), and as always, if you have any questions, flag me down or shoot me an email. I always enjoy talking turf!

Glen Eagle Maintenance (1/7/26)

Course Conditions and Water Management Update

The past week has delivered just about perfect weather for golf. While some mornings have started with light fog, it has quickly given way to sunshine and blue skies, creating excellent playing conditions. Early Sunday morning we received approximately 0.4 inches of rainfall. Although this was a welcomed boost for the turf and landscape, it was not enough to significantly impact lake levels.

As we closed out 2025, our total annual rainfall finished roughly 22 inches below normal. Combined with our typical dry season, this shortfall does present challenges from a long-term water management standpoint. Our lakes are currently at levels we would normally expect to see closer to March, which means careful planning and conservation are essential moving forward.

At this time, we do have sufficient water to maintain the golf course and common areas. However, as part of our ongoing efforts to protect our water resources, members may begin to notice some areas appearing drier, and less green than usual. These adjustments are intentional and allow us to extend our available water supply while still maintaining enjoyable playing conditions.

We will continue to closely monitor weather patterns, lake levels, and course performance and will make adjustments as needed. Our priority is to strike the right balance between providing quality course conditions and being responsible stewards of our water resources for the benefit of the entire community.

Thank you, as always, for your understanding and support.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the course, and as always, if you have any questions, flag me down or shoot me an email. I always enjoy talking turf!