Greens aerification and more

This was a busy week with greens aerification on Monday and Tuesday.  We decided to solid tine the greens instead of pulling a core because we still have very good control of our organic matter content.  We used two machines to double aerify the greens and get more sand into the thatch layer to dilute the organic matter.  This trend seems to be almost as beneficial as pulling a core and removing the thatch.

Since we were not pulling a core and cleaning it up, we topdressed the greens very heavy first.  Then solid tined with very large 1" tines 8" deep with a 5" spacing, followed by shallow 1/2" tines on 1" centers.  This way we got sand and holes both in the surface layer and deeper for root development.  By topdressing first, the mechanical nature of the machine and the vibration helps work the sand into the holes.

Topdressing

Deep solid tining

Small tines very close together

After aerifying we brushed in the sand, double rolled, irrigated, and brushed again.

Here is 3 days after aerification

We also incorporated many projects on the course and renovation work to the inside of the clubhouse during the course closure.  By extending the course closure another 2 days, and utilizing the membership in work days we really got a lot of work done - thank you to all. 

Changing the pea gravel walkway at 5 island tee to pavestones.

Before

After



We also changed the entryway to #13 tee to be a combination of turf and pavestones with the landscape.

.We also performed many other maintenance tasks on the course, and the members painted all the cart storage buildings - a big task that took many labor hours.  Great job membership.

Course Update

Things are moving into spring very quickly here.  The recent rain has really greened things up and we are starting to maintain the course.  All turf looks healthy coming through winter.  There are some traffic scares from playing and driving on dormant turf, but that will grow out of it soon.  We have been mowing and rolling greens the last month, and last week we mowed tees.  This week we are mowing fairways and approaches for the first time, and will start mowing rough later in the week.

First fairway mowing of the season

Last week we started to pressurize the irrigation system with plans of maybe irrigating this week due to the 75 degree weather, but mother nature helped us out over the weekend with the rain.

Fertilizing

Now with the large irrigation project is down to a final punch list it is time to get on the course and start spreading spring fertilizer.  This is our time to increase the density of the turf that has seen a lot of winter traffic while it was dormant. Develop a healthy plant with a deep root system that will hold up to our 20+ days of 100 degrees, and improve the quality of our paying surface.  Everything we do in the next 2 1/2 months to improve the health of our turf sets up for  June, July, and August.

Fertilizing tees

We have fertilized tees, approaches, fairway spots, and rough spots this week, and greens will be fertilized next week in preparation of greens aerification the following week, April 16 and 17.

First mowing of the year

Mowed fairways and approaches for the first time this spring.

We have already mowed greens about a half a dozen times and tees once.  Things are starting to grow and look really good coming out of winter.  Everything looks healthy.

Hole #10

Hole #17

Spring Green-up

Things really greened up here last week.  We had most of the week in the mid 50's and night time lows stayed around 45, so the soil temps really increased.  Look at these two pictures taken only 5 days apart.

Mar 3

Mar 6

Spring is coming

Even though it doesn't feel it today, there are some signs on the golf course that spring is coming.  This week we saw buds popping on the trees for the first time this spring.

Buds opening up on the tree

Up close of trees leafing out

These signs are telling us it won't be long now.