From the desk of Steve, the Superintendent - Winter Overseeding

On October 20, we closed Marcus Pointe for a full day to overseed the course.  As one of the few area courses to overseed, we understand the benefits of overseeding to both the course and the player. 

Overseeding is the practice of establishing a temporary cool-season grass into the base Bermuda grass for improved color and playability.  Bermuda grass becomes completely dormant in our region and the turf is overseeded to provide green color and a more cushioned ball lie.  Overseeding helps to protect the Bermuda grass during dormancy from cart traffic and erosion caused by heavy rains.

I use a perennial rye grass called Paragon grown in seed fields from Oregon.  I use this type of seed on the fairways, tee tops, collars and approaches.  Spread at 400 lbs/acre, Paragon perennial rye grass delivers a deep dark green color that can tolerate hard freezes.  We cut this type of grass three times a week at half an inch.

On the greens, I use a mixture of Bent and Poa Trivialis, also from Oregon.  I make three applications, one week apart, in three different directions.  I spread one application of Creeping Bent grass usually at the end of September when conditions are favorable at 3 lbs/acre.  Creeping Bent grass delivers a very fine and close cut putting surface.  I spread the other two applications of Cypress Poa Trivialis, two weeks apart, one week after the Bent grass application at 6 lbs/acre.  Poa Trivialis has a dark green color, high density and it transitions much faster during spring transition than Bent grass.  The seed starts to pop about one week after it is spread, with full establishment around one month in favorable weather conditions.  A light topdressing every week encourages rooting of the stolons and the initiation of shoots at the nodes for full coverage.  

There are no scientific reasons why you should not overseed your personal lawn, regardless of what type of turf you have.  I do not recommend overseeding your lawn due to spring transition.  During this time your lawn needs all the nutrients it can get and overseeding will compete with your turf causing a slower transition.  Also, cutting your lawn in the winter is "not fun."