This Sunday evening we will be starting our spring aerification of greens. As we did last year, we will be using 1/4 inch solid tines that do not pull a core out of the greens. We have referred to this as venting and punching in the past. Following the aerification, the greens we will be topdressed with sand in an attempt to fill in the holes. During this process we will have the pins located in the approaches (in front of the greens). If the weather and equipment cooperate we should have the pins back in the greens by mid-afternoon on Monday. Weather permitting, we will be aerifying the tees and approaches next week once greens are completed. For the tees and approaches we will be pulling a core and also topdressing. Aerification and topdressing help tremendously in reducing compaction and thatch and also aid in incorporating sand in to the soil profile. This will result in a firmer and tighter (more dense) playing surface. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these cultural practices.
Last fall we utilized a “new to us” method of revitilization for our practice tee. Our contractor TDS, fraize mowed the surface of the tee to remove organic matter as well at to aid in leveling. The tee was then aerified and seeded to a new variety of creeping rye grass. We chose this type of turf grass as research shows rapid recovery and a low growth habit. We were able to get some great growth in the fall, but the tee is still not ready for traffic and full use. The plan is to utilize the mats until growth has filled in some of the voids etc. We will then begin to slowly set up hitting areas on the grass tee. For a while we will alternate between grass and the mats with a 50/50 ratio of use. Once the grass tee is established and is in adequate recovery mode, the practice areas will be back to normal. As always our membership’s patience is appreciated as we try to improve these areas for use.
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