Here We Go!!!

Looking back up #5 fairway toward the tee complex.

Spring has sprung and the golfing season is in full swing, yes, the pun was intended.  It has been a few weeks since I last updated our blog, but fear not, we have been super busy and a few technical issues needed to be resolved on my part.  As most of you know I am new to the blog world and it is a steep learning curve for me.  I still have a goal of a weekly update as I get the bugs worked out. 

 

Many projects have taken place this spring in order to prepare the golf course for the upcoming season.  One of the most important agronomic practices is the aeration of the greens prior to the difficult growing season.  Almost every golfer has seen or heard of aeration and it is a common topic of discussion in the spring.  This year we used a machine called a Verti-Drain that created a hole 5/8" in diameter and approximately 9 inches deep with a shattering effect in the root zone.  This process was last preformed on the greens 7 years ago.  In addition to the deep tine aeration on April 3rd, we used a machine on May 23rd called the Air2g2 to accomplish the same process with minimal putting surface disruption.  The Air2g2 uses air to fracture the root zone at a depth of 4 inches and 11-12 inches.  The entire aeration process is one that is designed to alleviate compaction and create pore space for air, water, nutrients and most importantly, roots.   

Verti-Drain and Tractor on the big putting green.  April 3, 2017.

Close-up of the tines we used for the Verti-Drain.

Air2g2 on the Big Putting Green, May 23, 2017.

 

I have been asked many times about the roots of the greens and why I push the roots so hard in the spring.  Below is a visual reference to the growth cycle of cool-season grass.  As you can see the roots have a growth cycle that is conducive to the cooler temperatures in the spring and fall of the year.  It is the natural cycle of the plant to produce roots to only let them die back in times of stress.  the deeper and healthier roots we have, the better chances we have of surviving an unforgiving summer.  Each year is different and the weather always dictates what the plant is going to do. We just try to manipulate it in our favor.