CornwallGolf Union
Golfers are being urged to manage their expectations on course conditions not only for this year but also for the future. Why I hear you ask? Well in short because of a combination of factors. all of which are pushing Course Managers into a corner with little or no escape. And on occasions with little appreciation as to why from their own memberships.
We need to explain why this is and to ask for understanding going forwards in an environment where some experts are suggesting we may not be able to achieve the quality of surface we have become used to in the future. And this is not restricted to golf courses.
In November 2018 at the CGU General Meeting Neil Ivamy (Trevose Course Manager) spoke about insecticides and how many have been deregulated (unlicensed) and removed from the market and circulation. He warned then that until such time as a major sporting venue was affected there would be no change to the ongoing reduction in the number of materials available to the turf industry to combat issues. Dan Kendle (Newquay Course manager) repeated this message at our 2019 meeting and spoke of how the industry faces challenges.
And so to 2021 when after periods on enforced absences golfers are returning and finding their courses in less than perfect condition and questioning why. Well, Greenkeepers across the country have reported being overtaken by leatherjacket infestations.
Recently I listened to a webinar hosted by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) entitled ‘Managing the Leatherjackets Challenge’. You can view this here. More than 400 stakeholders from across the golf and greenkeeping industry took part and heard Syngenta Turf and Landscape Consultant Glenn Kirby pose questions on how the industry was in this position, how it might manage the challenge and then shape the future. As background he told his audience of how 1260 insecticides have been removed from circulation since 2006 and whilst the industry constantly lobbies for help in fighting some of the problems nature throws at it, golf has a small voice. In terms of pesticides etc applied in this county by agriculture in general, golf’s element of this is a mere 0.085% meaning it is not big enough to influence and has only a small voice.
Syngenta’s Glenn Kirby said: “My goal when I started investigating the problem of leatherjackets was to get all golf courses to zero damage, as that’s what is being expected of course managers. But it has become increasingly clear to me that we are going to have to adjust our expectations. We all want perfect surfaces year-round, but without additional tools in our armoury I suspect that may not be a realistic goal.”
Leatherjackets are the larvae of the European or Marsh Crane Fly or Daddy Long Legs as they are commonly known. The larvae cause damage by feeding on the roots of grass plants. Adult crane flies hatch from pupae in late July and August and lay their eggs in the ground within 24 hours of hatching. (As many as 400 eggs a time)The larvae hatch about 2 weeks later and start to feed on grass roots, which continues through winter and into spring. They stop feeding in May/June when they will pupate in the soil. In general, they stay underground in the day and move up to the turf leaves at night. They are very sensitive to drying and do not survive if they are dried out by the sun.
Damage to grass occurs from autumn to spring but is most severe in the spring when the leatherjackets are fully grown. Symptoms may appear as yellowing, weak areas of grass where the roots have been damaged. The grass can be easily pulled up with little or no root growth. Damage is usually more severe when the previous autumn has been mild and wet. Secondary damage can also be caused by birds and mammals digging up turf in their search for leatherjackets.
As many as 80% of courses surveyed recently have reported significant levels of leatherjacket damage. Hidden below the surface of the nation’s golf courses, leatherjackets are threatening the enjoyment and economic viability of the sport. Extensive damage to sports turf is caused by the larvae feeding on the turfgrass, while predators can also cause significant and widespread damage as they hunt for these larvae. The impact on a golf course can be serious, with increased costs as greenkeeping teams battle against the damage and the potential for large losses in revenue as golfers choose to play at courses that have been unaffected by the pests. However, unaffected courses are increasingly in the minority.
Social media has been and continues to show images posted by greens staff battling this damage. A lot of them have been using plastic sheeting overnight (see below) which increases humidity levels and fools the grubs into coming to the surface enabling staff to mow or brush them away. This is a very labour-intensive process and as Dan Kendle will testify any sort of coastal winds makes this even harder to achieve.
As hinted at earlier, climate can and does play a part in the extent of leatherjacket populations and the BIGGA presentation left no one in doubt it is a driver in the current infestation levels. Longer warm periods in the Autumn and earlier Spring warmth have the effect of greater potential for extended activity and feeding - with associated damage - along with faster growth that can make pests too large to control. Leatherjackets are quite mobile when surface conditions are cool and moist. Mild winters increase opportunities to emerge and relocate and it is proven the grubs can move up to 10m at night.
The constant reduction in approved insecticides means what was used hitherto to treat the problem is no longer a tool available to course managers. Consequently, the infestations increase, and the subsequent damage is worse. The course manager is fighting what looks like a losing battle and the golfers – not all of them – see their courses in less than perfect condition and hit the Secretary’s office to complain whilst maybe unaware of what the issues really are.
So, what are we saying here? Whilst this may not affect every course, if yours is suffering, then please show understanding and spread the word to your fellow golfers. Put the figurative arm around the greenkeepers when you see them and let them know you are sympathetic to their cause. Fault should not be attached to the Course Managers. Club Managers and Secretaries too can help by keeping their memberships informed. On their behalf the industry is fighting. It will commission further research into the whole picture. Emergency approvals of some treatments may help short term but over and above this BIGGA and Syngenta will be distributing a white paper to the golf industry providing an in-depth study of the situation including its causes, impact and potential solutions and will also be encouraging golf’s leading bodies to share this information to a wide audience. Do your bit too!