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.

Random April Photos

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:

Untimely Rainfall

Two and a half inches of rainfall on Saturday made for a very busy Sunday morning. The course handled the large volume of water considerably well, minus the havoc it wreaked within the bunkers. The last system passed thru at least 12 hours prior to opening, so carts were able to be utilized on the course beginning with the first tee time.

Removing standing water and repairing bunker washouts took the better part of the morning. I appreciate your patience while playing amongst the reconstruction. The practice round for the two day college tournament taking place March 1st and 2nd was underway and with very few open holes throughout the course, time was at a premium. I would like to applaud my staff for their hard work and sense of urgency when making the repairs and preparing the course for the upcoming tournament.

President's Day 2010

Winter Annuals

Twice per season we plant varieties of annual flowers at the club. The "winter annuals" are planted during the month of October and provide beauty and color throughout the fall, winter, and into the early months of summer. In May, the varieties capable of surviving the shorter day lengths and frost are switched out for "summer annuals" that are better adapt to withstand the summer heat.

Irrigation Spacing

In the southwest region of this country, an irrigation system is one of the most critical components of a golf course. Of the many components that comprise an irrigation system, the sprinkler head is responsible for applying water to the turfgrass. Many factors impact the performance of a sprinkler and one that has been identified as an issue at Arrowhead Country Club is spacing. We spent several months last season measuring triangulation and relocating the sprinklers that water the green's surface. The Toro 700 series sprinkler present on the course is capable of a 70' throw at 65 psi with correct nozzles. What we discovered was that every green had a minimum of one spacing issue and that most sprinklers did not have the correct nozzles installed to provide specified performance. The head spacing distances ranged from 58' to 96'. The photos below indicate correct and incorrect spacing and how that can impact water application.

Stretched spacing:

Correct spacing:

Tree Pruning and Green Waste

Throughout the year, we create a massive amount of green waste. A majority this volume is a product of the hundreds of trees that reside on the course. When not vacuuming up fallen leaves or cutting up downed branches, we spend a vast amount of time tree trimming. This form of maintenance is important for several reasons including player and staff safety, improving irrigation performance, protecting mowing equipment, and preventing insect and disease hosting. The debris is collected and stored in the nursery area until being ground into mulch and re-utilized on the course and at the clubhouse.

Tree impacting irrigation trajectory and performance:

Turf stress created by tree's impact on irrigation:

Green waste collection pile:

Tub Grinder making quick work of season's green debris: