Mowing Greens in February!?

Well this past week we had to do a task that I never imagined, mowing greens in Febuary at Briarwood.  The mild temperatures, abundant sunshine, in combination with the covers produced a decent amount of top growth since the covers were put into place.  Our concern with this growth is setting us behind come spring and trying to push heights to increase the density of the turf.  So this past Wednesday we began the mowing process and a quite lengthy one as multiple steps are needed.  First covers have to be removed and greens blown clean.  Once the greens are cleaned off one staff member stayed behind to mow the green while others went forward to remove a few more covers.  When the green was finished being mowed staff then traced back to replace the covers on the greens.  In all the guys were getting about 4-5 greens a day, we have a few to finish up on Monday but this should hold us till early March.  Plans at that time will be to remove covers, mow, spray with protectant, topdress, and re-cover until temperatures become more consistent and warmer in the spring.  We'll get very aggressive with mowing heights as temps are more adequate for recovery growth.  Lowering heights will push lateral growth thus creating better density.  Our target mowing height come opening day is .130-.135 inches.  Last fall when we finished mowing we were at .175.  Going out to mow last Wednesday we tried cutting at .195 but too much leaf material was being removed so heights were raised to .215in which is just slightly under a quarter inch, .225.  The .215 gave us the amount we wanted to remove without stressing the plant during the remainder of the winter.  Once the spring gets in full swing we'll be dropping heights quick, basically after a couple of mowings at one height we'll drop the height along with adding todressing sand.  The addition of the sand will help increase lateral growth as well as aid in create a smooth surface.  Rolling will be implented as well.  Certain cultural practices such as verticutting, spiking, and slicing will also be used to help with increasing turf density. 
Lets all hope for a nice start to spring and help push this turf where we need to be by Memorial Day weekend.  From what we've witnessed with having to mow in early Feb things are looking good, just still a little ways to go and we need Mother Nature on our side to accomplish this.  Here are some photos of 15 green this past Wednesday when it was mowed:

Close up of turf on 15 green.  Right side of the picture shows a pass that was cut while the left side shows how long the turf was.  A substantial difference.

A look at 15 grn after it was finnished being mowed.  Pretty green for Feb 1st.

Another photo of the grn after being mowed.  Here you can see in the bottom left of the photo an area where the cover wasn't placed, the difference in color of brown to the green where the cover was in position.  Goes to show the difference the covers make in keeping soil temps and growing conditions somewhat possible.  Covers can also create numerous issues as well by keeping Poa Annua health as well as increasing the amount of freeze thaw cycles during cold and snowy winter, increase the chance for ice damage or dessication.

Clipping from the green.  Collect two full mower buckets off the green; amazed!