Update on our Proceedings

The first closing of the year always coincides with the Tuesday after Memorial Day.  This year was particularly difficult to shut down the course after a record amount of play during the month of May.  With our course in high demand, it is important to perform these much needed cultural practices.  The end result will be improved playing conditions with the ability to withstand the traffic.  

We are half-way through our closure and Mother Nature has allowed us to accomplish many tasks.  A quick run down of the processes completed this week; Greens - Verti-cut, Topdressed, Aerified, DryJect, Rolled and Brushed; Fairways - Cricle Cut, Verti-cut, Aerified twice and topdressed as needed; Tees - Circle Cut, Verti-cut, Topdressed and Aerified; Collars - Mowed, Verti-cut, Aerified; Roughs - Aerified and Height of Cut lowered.  We will repeat this process two more times this Summer.  The next few days will consist of cleaning up the course and providing fertility for recovery.  We aim to have the golf course in superb conditions for opening on June 6th. 

The main focus of of all the above mentioned cultural practices is to relieve compaction and provide air to the root zone.  Let's run through a few of the jobs and their objectives.

Verti-cuttting -  this is the mechanical method of vertically rotating blades that severe the stolons and rhizomes for the purpose of reducing thatch, grain and surface compaction.

Aerification - this process reduces compaction, improves infiltration, dilutes Organic Matter(OM), release built up gases and creates healthy roots.

DryJect -  this is a contracted service that injects sand into the soil profile.  The main goal is to provide consistency throughout the soil profile.

Topdressing - "Dilution is the Solution"  - this catch phrase is what drives most golf courses.  Fresh sand creates pore space, a smoother putting surface, and greatly reduces OM.  Most PGA Tournaments work back from their start dates to ensure topdressing is adequate when the tournament begins.  This helps create "firm, fast conditions".

Circle-Cutting - Self explanatory method of operating the mower in "circles" to ensure all blades of grass are completely mowed and grain is eliminated.

Lower Height of Cut(HOC) - this is always a tricky explanation.  The goal with this process is to shorten the internodes and reduce grain.  Internodes are the distance between leaf development on the stem.  The shorter the internodes, the denser the turf.  The Fairways and Tees were moved from .500"to .400" and the Roughs were lowered from 1.5" to 1.25".  Through the Summer, we will continue to lower the HOC until we reach the desired effect.  

With a diligent approach through the Summer months, we can ensure improved conditions.  We are inching our way towards Perfection!  My reward is the enjoyment of our Members on a golf course that is above reproach.