Aeration Report

Thank you very much for your patience this week.  The greens received much needed TLC that was only possible in private.  As documented in my last update, the greens did not power through the summer the way we always hope for.  The frequent rains, high humidity, and high night time temps coupled with a hectic golf calendar made this week of work crucial.  Starting on Monday and wrapping up Thursday we accomplished much needed aeration.  The process involved: 

1. Nearly 60 tons of sand spread across 20 greens (Monday-Tuesday) 
2. Aeration with 1/2" diameter solid tines set to a depth of 3.5" (Monday-Tuesday)
3. Brushing sand into holes (Monday-Tuesday)
4. Adding sand where needed to fill any open holes (Wednesday)
5. More Brushing (Tuesday-Thursday)
6. Rolling (Monday-Thursday)
7. Mowing (Thursday)

We were not comfortable pulling cores this time due to the weak root system, but solid tines and topdressing will still be very helpful.  With a golf calendar that has only one "day off" before November we are going to have to squeeze some minor work in around play.  At the moment we are planning to use September 12 and 13 for a very small tine core aeration.  This will not disrupt the tee sheet very much.  We are also working on October and November dates to do similar work.  All this is being planned with the understanding that we can't disrupt playability for the Monday outings and Weekend club events that are scheduled.  

In addition to the greens aeration this week we were able to complete the application of fall pre-emergent weed control to all zoysia.  This is a difficult task to juggle with play so it was helpful to do it this week.  

We have hot and humid weather forecasted for the next 10 days so we will hold off on tee aeration until the next wave of cooler weather arrives.  

Joseph with the aerator

Cody brushing sand into holes 

What it looks like after topdressing before aerator

Joseph with rotary brushes picking up excess sand