Course Update 4/23/22

Realized it's been a while since the last post so here's a summary of activities.

• Greens were core aerified & topdressed in March but are taking longer to heal due to the cool, wet weather over the past month.  The 80 degree temps over the next few days will increase turf growth and aid the healing process.  We plan to lower the mowing height once the greens are fully healed.
• Tees were recently aerified & topdressed and are also healing slower than expected due to the erratic weather.  Most of the topdressing sand has been worked into the canopy from brushing and rain, and we plan to resume mowing this coming week.
• Fairways were scheduled to be core aerified this past week but were deep-tined instead due to the wet conditions.  Deep-tining employs a 3/4" diameter solid tine that penetrates 7-8" deep to fracture compacted soil layers to encourage better drainage and root growth.  A handful of fairways have been topdressed and we plan to finish that process once they dry out enough to minimize damaging the turf with the large equipment.
• Bunker maintenance is a high priority this year and the staff has been spending considerably more time moving & adding sand, along with edging.  New rakes with larger heads are being used in all bunkers and we are waiting to receive another shipment to replace the smaller rakes remaining around some of the fairway bunkers.
• The first cut of rough around fairways and greens has been re-established after finally receiving parts this winter to repair the mower.  The wet conditions have prevented regular mowing which resulted in longer turf in areas, but that will be remedied once drier conditions return and more frequent mowing occurs.
• Several drainage/sod projects have been addressed to replace broken and/or sunken basins, along with replacing worn or damaged turf around them.  We have a few more on the list to complete this spring.
• Stumps ground over the winter have been cleaned up, filled with topsoil, and seeded.  There are a few more areas that require additional soil and seed, and a contractor will be grinding stumps throughout the property in the coming weeks.

Greens are regularly mowed and we will lower cutting heights once aerification holes are fully healed.

Aerification holes are healing slower than expected due to erratic weather this spring.  Warm, sunny days have been limited and greatly help the healing process.

Tees were recently topdressed & aerified.

Fairways were deep-tined this week instead of pulling cores due to wet conditions.  Core aerification is still planned in problem areas once drier conditions return.

Close up of a deep-tined fairway.  The holes on the surface should heal in a couple weeks but the real benefit is the fractured soil layers that allow increased water movement and root growth for months.

Freshly edged bunker on Grove #9.

Adding sand to the range tee practice bunker.

Bunker on Grove #4 edged and raked.

Drain basin & sod replacement on Grove #9.  The old square catch basin was broken and replaced with a 12" round basin that was taller and surrounded by gravel for increased drainage.  The white lines outline the sod being replaced.

Grove #9 with the new drain basin, lid & sod.

New drain basin on Grove #5.

Stump hole on Orchard #5 filled with topsoil and ready for seed.