Let the Summer Fun Begin

 



Triplex Mowers equipped with verti-cutting reels

The conclusion of the Memorial Day Tournament, typically marks the beginning of Summer at Stonebridge.  Our cultural practices will intensify as we move through the coming months.  The above picture shows the mowers used to verti-cut the greens and the picture below depicts the result of this process.  Verti-cutting is done to remove "thatch" and reduce "grain".  Thatch is the dead and decomposing material just below the surface, the build up of thatch produces a "spongy" surface that is ripe for disease, pest and a multitude of other problems.  Grain is the tendency of the turf to grow in a specific direction producing an inconsistent putting surface. 




Lines on #16 green from verti-cutting



Light topdressing #9 greens

 To conclude this process, a light coat of sand(topdressing) is applied to the green which is brushed into the canopy.  This is usually followed by a fertilizer application to speed recovery.

Bunker washout #15

 The picture above shows the result of the storm last passed through yesterday afternoon.  We received over 2 inches of rain in a short period of time resulting in a few washouts in our bunkers and some accumulation around the catch basins.  The sand will be redistributed and ready to play for Wednesday morning.