Aeration Time is Here

The golf course will be closed next Monday and Tuesday so that we can aerate the greens.  Wednesday and Thursday we will have nine holes closed each day in order to complete the topdressing, brushing, rolling, etc.... 

The greens are putting well at the moment, but the top few inches of the profile are not healthy enough to survive summer.  Water is not moving through the profile fast enough and there is not enough air in the soil to support strong roots.  We use a lab to test the soil physical properties every other year.  The results help us make better decisions on what steps to take to get as many years out of our greens as possible.  As the greens age, properties like air and water porosity, infiltration rates, and organic matter, become areas of concern.  We are focused on getting as many years out of our greens as possible.  Aeration is a critical step that cannot be overlooked.  

We will be using 5/8" diameter coring tines spaced roughly 1.75" apart and to a depth of about 2.5".  The holes will be filled with sand and then brushed and rolled.  Recovery will depend on the weather as always, but we will be aggressive in our efforts to smooth them out as quickly as possible.