Irrigation work

We have not yet needed to run our transfer pump, but no doubt we will at some point. So while we had a chance we re installed our check valve. Here is a picture of Mike working in the pond this morning. 

Aerifying continues

The front nine is open this morning, but the back nine will remain closed today. 

Aerifying Greens

Monday and Tuesday we performed our first aerification of the year. Our second and final aerification is scheduled for August 5 & 6.

When we "aerify" we are actually performing three necessary cultural practices at the same time. First we aggressively Verti-cut the greens. This vertical mowing helps to control thatch build up and helps manage the grain. We then top-dress heavily with sand. This helps to smooth the surface but also the sand is incorporated into the soil allowing water and air more space to travel. Then we aerify. When we pull the cores we are not only relieving compaction but removing some more organic material and in turn mixing in the cleaner sand.

Below are pictures of all the steps in order of completion. 

Jose Veri-cuts the greens

Cande and Luis mowing after verticutter

Alfredo and Vern topdressing

Then Lorenzo, Taylor, and Chi-chi aerify

I break up the plugs with a drag mat

Everyone blows off the left over debris

Jose then brushes the sand into the holes

Clint then adds soil amendments

And then Alfredo fertilizes

Clean up progress!

We have made quite a bit of progress this week on our clean up effort. Especially considering we had tournament play all week and I was only able to dedicate two guys to the job! 

Great work Vern and Ken!!!

Storm May 30, 2013

The storm last night caused quite a bit of damage on the course. The front nine suffered minor tree damage but the back nine is a different story. Straight line winds took down  15 trees and damaged dozens more. Here are some pictures, i will post more over the next few days. Clean up has begun but will take a very long time ti complete. 

Verticutting greens today!

Today we begin our bi-weekly verticutting. Every other week we will perform a non aggressive vertical mowing of the greens. This procedure helps us control both the grain and the thatch levels. 

Too much thatch will create a spongy feel to the greens. Too much grain effects both putting and mowing. 

Twice a year, during our greens aerification we verticut aggressively. This is done during the height of the growing season so healing time is minimilized

. 

Been a beautiful Spring!