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!