Agronomy Update - January 9, 2026

 As we move through the winter season, we want to share some important information about how recent weather patterns can impact the health of our bermudagrass playing surfaces.

This year, we’ve experienced an unusually warm start to winter. While mild temperatures can seem beneficial, they actually keep bermudagrass more active than normal during a time when it should be dormant. This extended activity can reduce the plant’s ability to harden off and prepare for cold stress, leaving it more vulnerable to sudden temperature drops.

What is Turf Hardening?

Turf hardening is the process where warm-season grasses like bermudagrass prepare for winter by slowing growth and building tolerance to cold temperatures. This typically happens in late fall as daylight shortens and temperatures drop.

How Does It Work?

  1. Reduced Growth: As temperatures cool, Bermudagrass stops producing new shoots and begins storing energy in its roots and rhizomes.
  2. Carbohydrate Storage: The plant accumulates carbohydrates (energy reserves) to survive dormancy and recover in spring.
  3. Cell Changes: Grass cells adjust by increasing sugars and reducing water content, which helps prevent freezing damage.
  4. Dormancy: Eventually, the turf turns brown and goes dormant, which is a protective state against cold stress.

Why Is It Important?

Hardening gives bermudagrass the ability to withstand freezing temperatures without major injury. If this process is interrupted—such as by an unusually warm early winter—the turf remains active and vulnerable.

The greatest concern with this scenario is the possibility of a late-season freeze. If temperatures fall sharply after a prolonged warm period, bermudagrass that hasn’t fully acclimated can suffer cold temperature damage. Potential negative effects include loss of turf density, delayed grass green-up, and increased stress and disease risk.

Our team is closely monitoring weather forecasts and turf conditions. We will take proactive steps to minimize risk, such as adjusting maintenance practices and applying protective treatments where appropriate. If necessary, we will restrict more cart traffic to cart path only to protect the golf courses from unnecessary stressors.

Drainage Projects

We will soon begin drainage projects on Dye Course #14 and Fazio Course #3 due to collapsed pipes that are no longer functioning correctly. These pipes are located in front of the approach areas leading up to the greens. Because of the location of the work areas, these holes will need to be temporarily closed while work is completed. We will begin on Dye Course #14. Once completed, we will begin Fazio Course #3. We will not have both holes closed at the same time.

Dye 14

 

Fazio 3

 

Thank you for your understanding as we complete these essential improvements.

Popular posts from this blog

Golf Course Update - February, 19, 2025

Image
The Agronomy Team has been working hard to prepare the courses for the freezing weather. All greens are covered, and several are double-covered. Greens that are not double-covered have added protection from mulch in areas that have proven susceptible to cold weather damage.      The weather forecast continues to change. This is nothing new for Texas. It also shows how difficult it can be for management to plan the opening of the golf courses. While we want to provide access, we prioritize protecting the golf course. Currently, the forecast for Saturday morning is low at 24 degrees. This temperature can cause injury to our Miniverde greens if exposed. We communicated the plan to uncover it on Friday and open it on Saturday. If this forecast low of 24 holds, we will be forced to leave covers on Friday night and remove Saturday.  Cold Weather Injury Potential   Research shows that cold weather likely injures ultra dwarf bermudagrass when temperatures drop to 25 deg...
Read more

Agronomy Update - December 5, 2024

Image
Preparing golf courses for winter always impacts playing conditions, but the transition from fall to winter is a reality that golfers and golf course management must face. Remember that having a great spring depends on getting the course through winter in the best shape possible.   Please help us provide the best winter playing conditions by:    Keep carts on paths as much as possible   Filling your divots and repairing ball marks (yours plus one!)   Rake bunkers and always enter / exit at the lowest point closest to your ball   Avoid high traffic and wet areas when carts are allowed off paths   Be careful with the flagstick – it can be damaging to the green, especially the cup   Greens Raising mowing heights on greens will affect putting on some days. If we get a warm front that lasts a few days, the greens will grow enough to slow the greens down. However, this is necessary to keep the greens from becoming unplayable during cold, windy weat...
Read more

Dye Course Update - August 24, 2025

Image
  Dye Course Update | August 24 Dear Stonebriar Members, The Agronomy Team kicked off this aerification closure with great food and camaraderie. Club Manager, Chris Marioni, coordinated a taco truck to feed the team. The food was excellent, and it was a welcome break from the summer grind. A special “Thank You” to Chris for doing this for our Agronomy Team. The Dye Course aerification closure has been very productive. We received 0.25” of rain, which caused a minor setback, but we were able to get back on schedule. The greens are healing quickly and look great. They were aerified with 5/8” side eject tines, the largest coring tines we use at Stonebriar. Cores were removed at a 2” x 2” spacing, which calculates to 7.67% of the putting surface affected. In our three core aerifications in 2025, we have affected 17.49% of the putting surfaces. Theoretically, we are replacing the top 3.5” of the green's soil profile every 5.7 years.     We are following the same aerification s...
Read more