Aerification Week Recap

As I'm sitting down to write a recap on the busy week we just had, I can't help to be grateful that A) Mother Nature is giving us some well timed post aerification rain and B) how proud I am of the staff that crammed a full week of work into three days (4 with mowing).  Here is a recap of the week:

Aerification:

 

You couldn't have asked for better weather to aerify.  Even the drier conditions leading into the week allowed us to pull arguably the best core on greens in now my 7th aerification.  We used our traditional method on pulling cores with a 5/8 inch tine on 1.5 inch spacing at a depth of 3-3.5 inches.

 

Our core collector attachment would drag the cores to the edges of each green forming piles for removal.  The cores have been stock-piled at the shop and will be used to backfill the new cart path edges on 1-4.

 

 

The other benefit of pulling such good cores was the ability to apply additional topdress sand.  In the past, we have use only three trucks with aerification on greens.  This spring, we put out 4 trucks equaling over 62 tons to cover our 4 acres of greens.

 

 

Using a cocoa mat, I would spin the greens to work the sand into all the holes.  After that step, multiple brooms were placed on the greens on Tuesday and Wednesday to continue working the sand into the canopy.  Finally we rolled the greens Wednesday afternoon to work out any of the imperfections that were created during the process.

 

 

Due to limited staff and the forecasted rain at the end of the week, an executive decision was made to solid tine our tees and approaches instead of pulling cores.  The clean-up is extremely time consuming and by reducing the need for manpower, we were able to mow the entire property prior to today's rain to stay caught up with spring growth.  We used a 1/2 inch solid tine on 2 inch spacing on tees and approaches.

 

 

Following the solid tine was a healthy dose of topdressing on both tees and approaches.  Again, due to the favorable conditions we were able to apply more sand than normal on both respected surfaces.

 

 

The final cultural practice of the spring was slicing our fairways to relieve compaction and improve water infiltration/oxygen exchange. 

 

On Thursday, the assistants knocked it out of the park by amending the entire property.  Our 23 acres of fairways and approaches were finished by early afternoon.  

 

Following fairways/approaches, we amended all of the greens and tees to help with soil structure and recovery.

 

Again my hat is off to the staff, we were able to complete the whole process with half the manpower (arrival of H2B seasonal guys should be in next couple of weeks) while still maintaining the course before the forecasted rain.  We worked sun up to sun down Monday-Wednesday and the Assistants along with myself wrapped up just before dark on Thursday.  Was a great week and we rewarded ourselves with cookouts at night to have a little fun along the way.

Cart Path Phase 2:

While taking advantage of being closed, our paving contractor was onsite to complete phase 2 of the cart path work on 1 green to 4 fairway. Here are some pics to show their work.

 

The old path on #2 below the green was removed and a new one was installed to replace the gravel path to the left of the green next to the wood-line.

 

Extensions were created by #1 green and on #2 tee to improve traffic follow and reduce wear. 

 

 

Tree Work:

 

 

Our tree contractor was here on Monday and Tuesday to remove two pines.  The leaning pine was removed from above the wall by the putting green due to safety concerns.  A pine next to the 12 tee shack was removed to improve the sight line from the upper tees.

 

 

Before

 

After

 

In addition to removing the two pines, the company's climbers addressed multiple trees on the property by removing deadwood and limbs that were encroaching into play or effecting agronomics.  Examples include: The two large Oaks to the left of #3 green that were reducing sunlight to the putting surface, The cluster of oaks around the forward tee on #16 that were effecting shot making, The cluster of oaks around the flag pole behind #16 green that ole glory has gotten tangled up in and the specimen tree on #6 by the fairway was cleaned-up to improve health and aesthetics. Here are some pics of the daredevils.

 

 

That's a wrap on the busy week.  Thank you for cooperation and continued support during this bi-annual process.  It's shaping up to be a great season and we look forward to seeing you on the course!



 

 



#8 and Aerification Update

#8 Fairway Expansion Update:

With limited staff numbers and iffy weather, we have made great progress on the fairway expansion project on #8.  Here are some pictures and descriptions:

 

Before picture

 

 

Work began stripping the existing rough sod last Monday.

 

Due to the weather conditions, we worked in sections of removing rough sod and laying the new fairway sod leading up to the first fairway bunker.

 

Up to date picture of the completed section leading up to the bunker.

 

The rough sod being removed on #8 has been used in various areas for course improvements:

 

 

Areas of high Poa/Bentgrass population in the intermediates were addressed on #6 and #13 to improve lies and playability.

 

 





 

#5 Approach was reduced to address the penal nature of balls rolling backwards when coming up short. (Picture also serves as a reminder that carts traditionally remain on paths when playing Par 3s).

 

 

15 yards of approach as removed and transplanted to #8.

 

The new look of #5 approach.

 

 

The majority of rough sod from #8 is being used to create a bail-out area where the old wood-line was on #4 from the project conducted over the winter.

 

The rough line will transition into an native area (that we will seed) just to the left of Mark (the furthest to the left staff member laying sod.)

 

 

With limited staff numbers, frost delays and rain....I'm happy and proud of our progress towards completing a major in-house project of stripping and transplanting over 20,000 sq ft of sod.  Technically, 40,000 when you factor in the transplanting aspect.  The entire project should be buttoned up towards the end of next week.

 

 

Aerification Update:

 

As most are now aware, the recent weather (rain, snow, frost and cooler temperatures) have put our paving contractor and Aerification behind schedule one week.  With the area of the golf course that is slated for paving during this phase being problematic for golf cart traffic during installation, the goal was to coincide both aeration and cart paths while the course was closed.  If we were to be open during the path installation, for the safety of members and guest, all play would have been limited to holes 5-18.  With coinciding the two, we are limited the amount of time areas of the course are closed as the season quickly approaches.  The forecast looks great and all systems are a go.  Thank you for your cooperation and continued support, we apologize for the short-term inconvenience.  Check in next week for updates on #8, aerification, cart path installation and some contracted tree work.

 



 



#8 Fairway Expansion Project

Today marks the start of our fairway expansion project on #8.  Traditionally, the eight hole is one of the toughest fairways on property to hit due to the severity of left to right slope.  With the expansion project, up to 15 yards of additional fairway will be added to the left side to widen the landing zone.  Although, tee shots will continue to funnel left to right due to the overall slope of the hole, the area to the left of the existing fairway will serve as a plateau to reduce balls from funneling all the way to the right rough.  The target bunker that most use for alignment will remain but will now be in the fairway with closely mown intermediate cut surrounding the edge. 

The project is being conducted in-house by utilizing our nursery sod on #17, reducing the approach on #5 and possibly shortening the front portion of our 18th fairway.  Reducing the approach on #5 by 10-15 yards has been identified by the Greens Committee as a course improvement to reduce the penal nature of balls coming up short and rolling back down the hill.  Key word on #18 is "possibility", we have about 300 sq ft of wiggle room with sod from #5 and nurseries to complete the project, therefore, the out of play front portion of #18 has been identified as a possible contingency area to complete the project.

The project will take a couple of weeks to complete, largely because of our scheduled Aerification next week hindering progress.  During the project, all play for #8 will be directed to the green tee to provide safety for the staff while working.  Now that the hole will be temporarily shorten, please consider the safety of the group in front of you.  Treat your tee shots just like you normally treat your second shots by having a caddie or other member of your group at the top of the hill to communicate when the coast is clear.  Check with the proshop on how to post for handicapping purposes while using the green tee.  Once completed, the entire expansion will be roped off and deemed Ground Under Repair for a couple weeks to allow establishment.  At this point, play will return to normal tees but if your tee shot should settle in the GUR, then all players MUST FIND THE NEAREST POINT OF RELIEF WITH OUT GOING CLOSER TO THE HOLE.   It is important that during this short period, all traffic (Carts, Foot) and play is avoided when possible to allow quicker establishment.

I apologize for the short term inconvenience but feel that the long term reward will drastically improve the playability of #8. As always, Thank You for your support and cooperation as improving playability, aesthetics and plant health continues to be our mission!  Check back on the blog over the next couple of weeks for progress and updates on Aerification next week.

Project Update

Happy New Year!  As I set down to write my first post of 2016, I hope that everyone had a joyous holiday season with family and friends.  It's been business as usual here at the club for the Greens department as we are in full fledge winter mode following the bonus days of weather to close out 2015.  I have plenty to report in the upcoming weeks on the continued progress of cleaning up wood-lines, tree removal and the annual process of giving our accessories a facelift; but, first I wanted to update everyone on the tree removal project around #4 green since it is nearing completion. 

I took this picture prior to heading to Virginia for Christmas, trying to take advantage of one of the few winter sunshine days of the 'burgh.  But it is a great picture to point out the reasons contributing towards the removal project (pic was taken around 11 AM).  As you can see from the picture, the 4th green saw a great deal of shade throughout the morning hours and well into the afternoon, especially during the winter months.  The shade played havoc on the growing environment causing this green to be the last for frost to lift, the last to thaw post winter and was as a nuisance during the fall leaf season.  The lack of light also influenced the thawing process following snowfall and the end result was one of the few greens to exhibit winter damage once spring arrived. 

In season, special consideration was always given to the 4th when it came to water management and regular maintenance practices. The lack of sunlight and airflow hindered the drying out process following rain events and alterations were made in comparison to other greens when watering, in essence creating it's own unique growing environment.  Outside of water management, these factors would lead to different practices and monitoring daily with mowing and rolling to ensure consistency with the other 17 putting surfaces.

The solution....

You remove the problem...

 

The following pictures show some before and after's along with the process of removal:

 

 



Before

 

 



After

 

 

Before

 

After

 

 

A Excavator was used to dig around the root ball prior to pushing over 

 

 

Video of a greenside Oak falling

 

 

 

Once on the ground, we would help the contractor by cutting into smaller sections to be pushed by the dozer to a lower section of our property; out of sight out of mind.

 

 

The dirt line resembles the old wood-line to the left of the green.  Come spring we will seed this area to extend the maintained rough further down the hill to aid in playability.

 

 

Before

 

After

 

Outside of the before mentioned agronomic benefits, I'm really excited with end result from an aesthetic standpoint.  The removal to the left of the green has created the infinity look similar to many green complexes on property.  Selective removal and clearing of underbrush directly behind the green has exposed additional views downriver of the Allegheny.  Truly a win win for all parties involved!

 

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for posts on the other projects that we have been working on over the winter months both on the course and off including a new accessory we are working on in-house to be utilized this upcoming season.

 

Till then, stay warm and think Spring!

 

Fairways and Dreams,

Josh A. Saunders and the Greens Staff

 

 



Temporary Greens

After plenty of bonus days of golf to close 2015, it looks as if old man winter is right on the doorstep based on the extended forecast to start 2016.  Low temperatures will start off the month of January allowing the first real chance for the ground to freeze for an extended period of time.  To prevent any harm to the putting surfaces under these conditions, the use of temporary greens will go into effect until further notice.

Temporaries have been placed in all approaches (with exception of #10/#12 being in rough) and I ask that you refrain from walking on any putting surface until conditions become favorable.  I apologize for any short term inconvenience but hope that you understand the long term benefits of protecting our most valuable asset during the harsh winter months leading into spring.

In addition to temporaries, please keep in mind that the course along with the entire club is closed for the month of January. Those choosing to play the course are choosing to do so at their own risk and will be held accountable for any damage.  Please feel free to contact me via email in the event of such bonus days as I will be happy to accommodate and give recommendations as to when the course would be open based on frost delays or lingering snow cover.

Till then, Thanks for all your support during a successful 2015...on behalf of the entire Greens Staff we are excited for what is in store for 2016 and wish all of you a Happy New Year!