Light Dusting of Sand

We applied another dusting of sand this morning to put one of the final touches on Aerification. This topdressing application will help smooth out the greens. The greens should be nice for the week of "The Masters". We will apply our PGR(Plant Growth Regulator) on the greens this week as well. This product will force the plant to grow laterally instead of vertically, allowing us to gain more uniformity and speed, while reducing the amount of clippings collected. It also relocates the plants energy to the roots, which is a great benefit this time of year. 

Entry-Exit Posts

We have installed new "Entry and Exit" posts throughout the golf course. Please enter the hole THROUGH the posts at the beginning of fairway and exit THROUGH the set of posts at the end of the fairway. There are 2 sets of posts on all holes (except Par 3's and hole #12). 

Day 14

 They are really starting to close up but they are still bumpy. I am planning on putting down a light topdressing around Day 21, which should help smooth them out a little. 

Fairway Fertilizer

Here is Gilberto throwing down our 1st fertilizer application of the season. We are using a rate of 3/4 lb of Nitrogen per 1000 ft2. Studies show that bermuda grass is active when soil temperatures are 65 degrees at a 4 inch depth. During this record breaking March weather, we are already seeing these soil temperatures.  

When lighting strikes!

 During the thunderstorm last night we had a lighting strike off the right hand side of the 1st hole.

 The lighting hit this pinetree and then traveled underground for about 30 feet. It was attracted to an irrigation wire that was next to one of our irrigation lines.

You can see what happens when lighting hits a PVC pipe. This is just another reminder; do not continue to play golf when lighting is in the area. 

Day 11

Day 11 (March 16th)

Day 7

Here is a photo of Day 7 after aerification and you notice the difference from Day 4. I would imagine by Day 14 we would be almost 100% healed.

Recovery!

After we have finished the aerification process we begin our recovery phase. This will include fertilizers and wetting agents which will help build soil nutrients and increase water infiltration.

The photo above is Day 1 of Aerification. We will take similar photos on Day 5, 7, 10 and 14. I have used a nickle in the first picture to use as a reference point. 

UPDATED
Day 4

You can already see the holes starting to "tighten up"

Where are the geese?

Aerification

We have finally reached March 5th and we will begin our Aerification today. I will update the blog with new pictures during the day. I will try to show as much of the process as possible.

8 am Update: Here is a little bit of what has happened in the first hour.

The ProCore in action!

The core harvester (below) pulls the plugs behind the ProCore and leaves them in piles for the guys to scoop up. This eliminates a lot of hard work pushing plugs across the greens.

 The Core Harvester

 The holes (.625 inches on a 2x1 spacing 4 inches deep)

The greens mix has a tendency to cover the openings of the holes. We use a hose to blast the holes back open which will allow the new sand to drop into place.

Update 9.30 AM

The topdresser dropping sand onto the green.

Rolling the surface smooth before the brush.

Brushing the green in 2 directions (X pattern)

A final light blow of excess sand and brooming any accumulation on the edges.

 

 

The final product.