I have been receiving questions about late season Aerification that we do at Glen oak. This is not a new practice. In fact, this was done at the end of the year since I have been at Glen Oak. The reason that we have done this practice since 2005 was to leave areas for water to channel off the surface of the green. This is a practice that was suggested by the USGA and has work well. This was not the reason why we had winter kill. If that was the case we would have had damage on 4, 11, 12 and 14. Those are all flat greens that the water sat on all winter. The reason we had winter kill is because we have Poa greens that do not like extremely cold temperatures. The past two years have been abnormal compared to the previous 8 that I have witnessed. 2013 and 2014 have recorded average temperatures 10 degrees colder than 2011 and 2012. Poa is a winter annual weed. This is the reason you cannot find Poa seed anywhere. This is the reason you never see a new course with Poa greens, it is not a strong varitey of turf. I hope this helps explain this issue.
Poa can last 40 days under ice compared to bentgras which can survive at least 120 under ice. Bentgras is a much stronger variety of Turfgrass and the proof is on the greens this year. Within the dead areas are patches of bentgras that have no damage what so ever.