Greens Aerification Recap

We were fortunate enough to have another few perfect days for the aerification of greens earlier this week (4/8 & 4/9).  Here is a recap:

Highlands

To the left you will see a picture of the profile from our Highland greens.  Recent soil test indicate that our Organic Matter (OM) is right in the 2-2.5% range; which is right in the sweet spot with the USGA recommendations of maintaining putting surfaces between 2-4%.  The confusion for most non turfheads is that a profile containing OM can be beneficial towards plant health and playabilty. It is the thatch and layering within that OM that has to be monitored and addressed to maintain proper infiltration.  Significant thatch buildup will hold moisture up top and therefore effect the firmness.  Layering will form bridges through the profile to restrict water from draining properly in our USGA spec greens.  In a nutshell, both will play a role in holding water up top and in return effect our root development because the roots aren't growing deeper in search for water.  Overall, the profile on Highlands is pretty good with the exception of the layering that has formed just above the bottom blue pen pictured to the left.  Therefore, our main objective on Highlands was to pull a core at the depth of that layer and to introduce sand to improve drainage and root development. 

We used our 648s to pull a 5/8 inch core at a 2 in spacing

The staff then used backpack blowers to blow the cores into piles prior to removal

After a healthy dose of topdressing, we used our Greens Sweeps to fill the holes prior to brooming.

Flynn

A different approach to aerification was taken on the Flynn greens in comparison to Highlands.  As you can see from the picture on the left, the profile on Flynn is entirely different.  Between the two pens, there is significant layering that more than likely is the biggest contributor to the lack of firmness in Flynn greens.  As mentioned above, the layering will restrict infiltration and cause excessive moisture to be held up top effecting firmness and root development.  In addition to the layering, a lack of OM has been identified in recent soil tests.  Flynn greens average less than 1% of OM; which is well below USGA recommendations.  Beneficial OM also provides stability to a profile while preventing ball marks from exploding and providing a cushion from excessive foot traffic and wear (so we can push to make firmer and faster).  Therefore, we took a approach with multiple practices to dilute the top couple of inches without removing OM and depth by fracturing the soil deep into the profile to create channels for infiltration and oxygen to encourage root development. 

First we used our deep tine to fracture at a depth of 8 inches with a 3/8 in tine

The next step was to DryJect greens at a 3x2 spacing

The machine uses water to inject sand into the profile and you can see focus was placed at the top

The next step was to poke a 5/8 in hole with solid tine at a 2.5 inch spacing and roll (to smooth out imperfections from processes) prior to topdressing.

Then we would bury them with sand

Next, we would use a drag broom to work the sand into the holes

Finished Product

Final tasks to all putting surfaces:

Following completion, we used a 1.5 ton roller to smooth out any imperfections created from all the traffic on the greens 

Then a broom crew would work in the sand post roll as a final touch 

Next to last step is to apply our amendments and fertility to promote a speedy recovery

Finally we would water to breakdown the products and to work the sand into the canopy

And that's a wrap on spring aerification.  We want to thank the membership for their patience and continued support with this process.  The short term inconvenience will aid in long term gain while setting the foundation for 2019.  With the forecast of rain for the weekend, we should see significant recovery by next weekend.  Enjoy the Masters!  

Aerification Recap

Here is a recap on the Aerification process that took place earlier in the week.  Perfect weather (with the exception of some heavy frost delaying our start each morning) and a dedicated staff played a vital role in completing tees, approaches and fairways on all 27 holes and practices areas.

Tees/Approaches:

The process began on Monday morning by pulling a 5/8 inch core on the tees and approaches of the Highlands nine.  The depth of 1-1 1/2 inches into the profile was addressed to remove thatch and organic matter while providing a channel for sand to be introduced while topdressing to improve drainage and firmness.

The staff used blowers, shovels and tools to push the cores into piles during the clean-up process.  Of course, Rutger kept a watchful eye on the entire process.  The cores were stock-piled in dumps and at the shop to be used later on cart path edges, stump holes and other imperfections in the rough as a fill material.

Following clean-up, our newly hired Assistant Superintendent, Matt Wolfe amended each surface with a product call Renovate Plus.  This combination product will help to open tight soils (improve porosity/drainage), speed up recovery and stimulate soil biology.















After amending, George Manos (our Golf Course Superintendent) conducted the process of topdressing both playing surfaces to improve the profile for drainage, rooting and firmness.  A drag mat was then used to work the sand into the holes that had been created.  With the frost, the process took about 2 days to complete as we wrapped up 3-6 on Flynn early Wednesday morning.  8 and 17 approach on Flynn along with the Driving Range tees will be topdressed early next week.     





Highland Greens:

Like the week before on Flynn, we took advantage of the weather to conduct the practice of deep tinning on the Highland greens this past Monday.  We were able to penetrate the profile at a depth of 8 inches to encourage oxygen exchange for root development and deeper channels for infiltration within the putting surfaces.  This practice will be performed again on Flynn in a couple of weeks in conjunction with aerification of all greens on April 8th and 9th.

Fairways:

Our Contractor, Aer-core, began the process of fairway Aerfication on Tuesday morning.  All 27 holes recieved a 5/8 inch core removed to address the thatch and organic material build-up similar to the practice conducted in-house on tees and approaches.  They took two full days to complete the process.

Following the completion of pulling cores, a member of the Aer-core team would drag the fairways with a tine harrow to break off the thatch and help work any soil from the cores into the holes.

Once the dragging was complete, they used sweepers to pick up the left over material while providing the clean finished  product.  We provided some operators to help speed up the process by hauling off the material to our dumps.  In addition to fairways, the practice was completed on the Driving Range tees and short game fairway.

Overall I couldn't be happier with the week!  Not just the finished product but how the staff stepped up knowing that we were under a narrow window to complete prior to the rain on Thursday.  Mission Accomplished!  Next week, will start with fertilizing all playing surfaces that were aerified on Monday.  We will topdress the remaining approaches and practice areas before shifting gears on prepping Flynn to open.  Bunker work, first cuts and additional clean-up of debris will be our additional focus.  

Again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding of this bi-annual process of aerification on playing surfaces.  With the exception of greens, there will be minimal impact to the course throughout the season.  

Aerification Preview

The past week has provided the opportunity for the staff to complete a lot of tasks throughout the property.  Much of the week was dedicated to cleaning-up the courses from all of the debris that occurs during the winter months.  In addition to wrapping up any loose ends with tree work.  We rolled Highlands greens to smooth any imperfections from the winter prior to placing our first cut on greens with another roll this past Friday.  On Flynn, we cut fairways for the first time of the year in preparation of next weeks aerification (more on that in a minute).  The Flynn greens also received their first deep-tine in years with our newly purchased piece of equipment:

The deep tine will be a valuable resource to our operation and plant health of all playing surfaces.  The practice will be utilized with each cultural practice throughout the year in addition to the winter months on fairways and greens when the ground isn't frozen.  The objective is to fracture the profile at depths of 8-10 inches to encourage oxygen exchange for root development while providing the added benefit of channels for drainage.  A pivotal resource to improve drainage, health and firmness of all playing surfaces moving forward.

Aerification Week (3/18-3/22)

As March Madness begins, so does the start of our bi-annual process of cultural practices to Tees, Approaches and Fairways next week.  Here is a quick preview:

Tees/Approaches:

All three nines will receive a core aerification beginning on Monday.  We will start on Flynn, by going hole by hole and removing a 5/8 inch core at a depth of 3/4 to 1 inch to address any thatch and organic material build-up.  Following the clean-up process, both playing surfaces will be amended with Renovate Plus to start building the profile and introducing my new philosophies.  Renovate Plus is a 50/50 combination including Eco-Lite to open tight soils (improve porosity/drainage), speed up recovery from aerification and stimulate soil biology.  This allows for oxygen movement through the soil and promotes an active microbial generate nitrogen cycle. Once amended, we will lightly topdress both playing surfaces to improve the growing medium and firmness.

Fairways:

We have a hired a contractor to complete the process of removing 5/8 inch cores on all fairways throughout the property.  Work will begin on Flynn starting Tuesday and weather depending, the Highlands should be finished Thursday afternoon.  Following removal of the cores, the contractor will drag each fairway to break up the soil and thatch content.  The thatch will then be removed with sweepers to provide the finished product.  Cores have not been removed on fairways for numerous years, so this will help address the top layering and thatch while setting the foundation towards firmer and healthier surfaces.  If weather cooperates, we plan to start fertilizing fairways on Friday.


Highlands Greens:

On Wednesday, we plan to start the process of deep-tinning Highland greens.  Depending on frost hindering the start, the process should take one full day and greens will be immediately rolled following completion, limiting the impact on play.

Turf is starting to wake up through out the property and on behalf of the entire grounds department, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this necessary bi-annual process.  You'll notice moving forward that I tend to take a bookend approach to our major cultural practices (weather depending) to limit the impact on play in season.  Therefore, the second phase of the program will take place in November.

Till next time, Think Spring and enjoy filling out those brackets!  We look forward to seeing you on the course!

Welcome

Welcome to Lancaster Country Club grounds department's official blog page!  Here you will find periodic detailed posts to inform the membership and friends of LCC of all the happenings within the grounds department.  What to expect:

• Updates on course conditions
• Preview, Progress and Recaps of cultural practices
• Explanation and Progress of on and off the course projects
• A look inside the operation - meet the staff, see what we do
• And much more....

On the bottom right of the page, you'll find a "Follow By Email" box.  There you can submit your email to receive post via email as the blog is updated.   

Think Spring and we look forward to seeing you on the course!