Fall Green Aerifacation

   

Green aerification will take place 9/8/15 and 9/9/15

 

      It is that time of the year for our fall aerification.  I know this is not a popular cultural practice.  It is not popular with my staff.  It is hard work for everyone on staff.  It is one of the most important cultural practices we do.  With out aerification greens would slowly deteriorate.  They would become spongy, would not hold golf shot, and ball roll would be very inconsistent.  Maintenance wise Isolated dry spots would increase disease and insect damage would go up. That means more money spraying chemicals to control all these problems that would arise from not aerating.
      Bentgrass is a huge thatch producer and the only way to eliminate thatch is to core aerate.  When we core aerate we remove the core and open a channel into the root zone of the green.  This allow air to flow freely to the root zone.  Turf needs the air for two thing, 1.  Turf needs oxygen to grow it absorbs oxygen from the root system.  2.  Air  help dry the roots system out which encourages deeper roots. Deeper roots firms greens up to accept golf shots.  A dryer root system has less disease and insect pressure. 
     Green are in great shape at this time and they will heal quickly from aerification and be better than they were before.  We will aerate front nine on Tuesday 9/8/15 and the back nine on Wednesday 9/9/15.  9 holes will be open each day until around 3:30 p.m.  when all 18 holes will open up.  Thank you for your patience.