Rainfall Deficit!

Believe it or not, we have a significant rainfall deficit.  As of May 1, we are about 6 inches BELOW normal.  It is great for firm golf conditions.  It is also great to grow the roots of the greens and fairways.  It has also allowed an unexpected bonus...we are mowing the fairways lower on Newport, to encourage the bermudagrass.  I have withheld irrigation on these fairways to try to kill some of the poa annua, so the bermuda will gain the growing advantage.  The only negative to lack of natural rainfall is we have to watch the sodium build up in the greens and flush them with water from time to time.  A funny aside...I spoke to a longtime friend in Western PA last night and he told me the had 4 sunny days in April and over 10 inches of rainfall.  Here at OCGC, we recorded under 2 inches.  Amazing for 350 miles difference.