Our spring green's aeration went very well and Mother Nature is helping us along with some perfect weather for recovery. We have applied a variety of fertilizers and a surfactant to help aid in recovery. Part of our post aeration program is to alternate (day to day) rolling the greens and mowing the greens. During the first 7 days after the event the greens will be slower and shaggier. This is what is known as "short term pain for long term gain". We will reap the benefits of this aeration for most of the golf season. Once the sand has settled and the holes have closed up we will begin to lower our height of cut as we move forward with our greens management plan. The greens that we are all used to at Highland will once return from this all important cultural practice.
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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