Aerification

We have been busy aerating our fairways.  We are using a solid tine aerator that can punch a hole up to 7 " deep.  This process leaves the fairway with some tufted turf so we roll out the fairway to help smooth it.  After our next mowing fairways will be in great shape.

Using the Aerway aerifier 

Notice how long tines are

 Slits are up to 7 " deep

 18 Fairway after aerified

Rolling fairway

Red flags

     You might be wondering what are all the little red flags on different holes throughout the golf course.  The Green Committee along with Golf Course Architect Art Schaupeter looked a different areas of golf course to expand our no mow or native areas.  I am flagging the areas we are going to expand or add in some cases.  We believe this will eliminate at least 8 hours of mowing per week.  With rising fuel cost this will save us $1,000.00 just in fuel per year. At the present time it takes 3 mowers 2.5 days to mow the entire golf course.  A normal week we are cutting the rough 2 times per week.  We do not see a normal week in most cases, rain, equipment breakdowns, heavy play are common.  You will find the flags on holes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18

Hydrojecting

We just completed our second of three Hydrojecting this summer.  Hydrojecting is aerification using high pressure water to blast a hole about the size of a pencil into the green.  It penetrates about 6 inches deep into the green soil profile.  With the holes the greens get much need oxygen. The roots of the Bentgrass will thrive in the aerification holes.  Deep roots will help the greens survive hot summers days.  After the aerification is completed the holes are hardly visible.  Unlike mechanical aerification Hydrojecting does not stress the greens. 

 After holes are blasted the machine rolls over the them leaving a smooth surface

 It takes 3 machines about 4 hours to do all 19 Greens

 Hole spacing is 3.5x4

 Holes are barely visible. 

Pool Landscaping

Karen has been working very hard this year.  With a mix of tropical plants, annuals and perennials you will not find a better landscaped Clubhouse or golf course anywhere.  Below you will see how she has transformed the landscape of the pool.

All around the pool the landscaping is just beautimus

Dead spot

We found this spot on 17 green last week.  It looks like a beer spill or urine.  Yes Beer will kill grass especially Bentgrass greens.  Urine will also kill turf.  We are not sure what killed the grass on 17 green.  Looks like some thing was dumped out on the green so we are leaning toward a beer spill.  Please do not carry any beverage on the greens. 

Lightning Damage

The tree behind 2 green was struck by lightning this morning around 6:15 a.m.  Half of the tree was laying across Country Club Drive.  Thank goodness no one was on 2 green or 3 tees.  We had debris past bunkers on # 2.  This storm developed right over the golf course.  We only saw one lightning strike.  This is a good reminder to take cover when you here thunder or see lightning.  If you can see lightning or hear thunder you can be struck by lightning.