Irrigation Improvements
As the summer heat threatens to arrive, we will continue to diagnose and address some chronic areas of weak irrigation coverage. Several sprinklers will be added and a few relocated to allow for better application, thus better turf conditions. Please remember that the system age, inadequate pipe size, and limitations such as tree interference will always pose problems and account for the dreaded "brown spots" that you will begin to see as summer sets in.
Lacking Respect
I'm not quite sure of the reasoning behind this, but we have been seeing an increase in "divot" damage around the pins as of late. This behavior is not only unacceptable, but disrespectful to both your fellow members and the maintenance staff, whom work extremely hard to provide you with arguably some of the best conditions in the Inland Empire.
Hole #9 Thursday Afternoon:
Vandalism
With school out for the summer session and children with plenty of spare time, please be on the lookout for "out of the ordinary" activity on the golf course. Please report it to the Clubhouse or Proshop immediately. The photos below are bicycle tracks in the bunkers on Hole #2. Fortunately, no damage was done to the green.
Hole #14 "Stomp prints" surrounding the cup:
Tee, Approach, and Fairway Aerification
Tee and Approach aerification and topdressing were completed in late May and early June. Fairway aerification continues this month and should be competed by the third week. The aerification process is not only important to improve water penetration and relieve compaction, it is essential in increasing the Bermudagrass population in the fairways. The cores are dried by the summer heat then dragged and dispersed with metal mats to separate soil and turf. The Bermuda "tuft" populates open aerification holes and grows to increase population and density.
Hole #16
Hole #1 Aerified
Hole #1 After the dragging process:
Course Wildlife
Two Red- tailed hawk chicks posing for the camera. Their nest is located near the top of a Eucalyptus tree on the east side of Hole #10.
Deep Tine Aerification
A key cultural component to developing deep rooting systems is deep tine aerification. The procedure allows for gaseous exchange to take place within the growing medium. Roots will not grow and cannot survive in anaerobic conditions (lacking oxygen). By opening channels from depths of 8" to 12", the turfgrass is able to produce and maintain deeper roots, which allow for less compromised turf as heat related stresses increase in the summers of Southern California. The monthly aerification, followed by rolling, creates minimal visual surface disturbance and no impact on putting. The split day process also benefits water infiltration into the rootzone and is typically non-detectable visually within four days.
The Little Things....
Detail work is a key component to presentation. Due to it's tedious nature, time commitments, and shrinking labor budgets, it is often placed on the back burner or eliminated from procedure. We make every attempt to stay on top of what I refer to as "the little things". I have learned that it doesn't go unnoticed and we receive many compliments from outside play regarding how "clean and detailed" the course is.
Some examples include: edging of sprinkler heads, edging of cartpaths, picking up litter, removing graffiti, maintaining hedges, controlling cart traffic, and limiting weed encroachment in landscape and flower beds.
Sprinkler head edging:
Cart path edging:
Finished product:
Topdressing
Topdressing is a key component to maintaining healthy turfgrass and superior surfaces. The application of sand smoothes and firms the surface, provides a base to establish lower cutting heights, and is the most effective method of controlling thatch (organic matter) build-up. The newly established sand profile creates an environment for soil microbes to populate and break down the organic matter that builds up during the growing season.
Following aerification, compatible sand is spread on the greens at a volume high enough to fill the voids created by the cores and blanket the surface. The sand is watered in and when dry, brushed daily until it migrates down and incorporates into the turf canopy. The surface is rolled to firm and mowing only commences when the turfgrass has grown up through the sand.
The grass must be allowed to grow up through the sand and mowing heights are adjusted down when the bentgrass density re-establishes and sand is no longer evident when mowing. The expected timetable for the greens to return to pre-aerification status is approximately three to four weeks, weather dependent.
Over fertilization prior to or post topdressing may contribute to a quicker recovery, but increases the volume of organic matter thus negating the effectiveness of the sand application. Removing the sand from the surface immediately after application by means of mowers and blowers also negates the profile building benefits of the topdressing.
Patience following topdressing is required. It is important to remember that the long term performance of the putting surface is the goal.
Spring Hollow Core Aerification
In conjunction with our monthly deep tine aerification, a spring hollow core aerification is an important cultural practice utilized to maintain the health of the Bentgrass greens at Arrowhead Country Club. The benefits of a correctly timed hollow core aerification include: improved water penetration, reduced soil compaction, thatch/organic matter removal, soil profile composition modification, and gaseous exchange.
Core Aerification is a short-term disruption that has long-term benefits for the course. The quality of a good putting green is more than skin deep. The health and performance of a putting green is an indication of the conditions below the surface. In order to maintain healthy turfgrass you must have and promote deep, healthy roots. Roots will only grow where oxygen is present and gaseous exchange can take place.
Maintenance and golfer traffic over the course of a season contribute to compaction near the soil surface. This compaction in addition to plant growth and death, fertility practices, mowing height and topdressing practices all impact thatch (organic matter) build-up. Increased organic content can impact water infiltration and surface firmness.
Core Aerification is a mechanical process that involves removing 1/2” cores from the greens surface. The cores are hand removed, the greens are rolled to correct imperfections, and then the greens are topdressed with sand. The sand (which must be dry or else bridging can occur) is then brushed to fill the holes. The sand is brushed on a daily basis to aid in the migration into the turf canopy. The greens are rolled to aid in firmness and they are cut only when the Bentgrass grows up through the sand.
The average recovery period is three weeks, weather dependent.
Aerification:
1/2" cores 2"x2" spacing:
Rolling:
Topdressing:
After first brush:
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