The rings are a turf disease called Fairy Ring. Mold spores in the ground make the soil hydrophobic(water repellent) which keeps irrigation water from reaching the turf. Some rings have appeared in a few of the fairways because of the long droughty conditions over the summer
Fairy ring can develop 3 different types of rings
- Type 1 = brown rings of dead turf - what we have
- Type 2 = green rings of stimulated turf growth - If you remember many years ago 11 green had this
- Type 3 - a ring of mushrooms
The fairways were sprayed with a fungicide and are recovering. In the picture below, the ring is almost grown out and looks alot better than it did over the summer. Unfortunately prolonged lack of rain is slowing down full recovery. If it ever rains again the rings should completely heal over.
Fairy ring was a large problem at local clubs in the area due to lack of rainfall this summer.
A ring on #1 fairway
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Another ring but not disease, just someone doing donuts with a golf cart.....
