Aerification 2012!

Loading up the topdresser for greens. 150 Tons of sand were used for this fall aerification.

A new brush we demoed which has bristles rotating in the opposite direction forcing the sand into the holes.

Results after one pass. Even with heavy sand the brush did an excellent job.

Brushing sand in on 18 approach as the sun went down.

Finishing up a very successful  fall aerification!

Aerification 2012!

This is our third year using Dryject. This machine injects dry sand into the profile, displacing the thatch and creating a channel for water and oxygen to reach the rootzone.

Great results using Dryject!

 

Removing cores from the approaches.

10 Fairway

The tee end of 10 fairway has always been a challenge to manage.  Foot traffic, water-logged soils, and lack of room for equipment to turn created a problem area.  To solve this, we devised a plan to remove part of the fairway and extend the rough.  This allows more space for the fairway mowers and sprayers to turn around at the end of the fairway, creating less wear and tear.  Also, the area was re-graded to allow water to run-off.  New rough sod was laid and the existing bentgrass sod was taken to11 fairway to repair the area around the rock wall, which was damaged from cart traffic. 

#10 Fairway before.  The area was worn from equipment, foot traffic, and water logged soils.

#10 Fairway After. The rough was extended creating more area between the fairway and rock wall.

#11 Fairway before.

#11 Fairway after. The area which was damaged from cart traffic has been sodded.

     

Member/Member Tourney

 Finally, a dry, member/ member tournament! Well almost. We escaped the heavy rains predicted on Friday afternoon with members finishing their final few holes in a light drizzle. Then the skies opened up. Strong winds and 1.5" of rain fell Friday night prompting our crew to arrive earlier Saturday morning. The storm left leaves , branches strewn about and washed out bunkers. They stepped up their game and finished before the 9:00 am shotgun start. Sunny skies remained all day and the Tourney went off without a hitch.

1.5" of rain caused the sand in the bunkers to wash out. 

Standing water in bunkers were a result of the heavy rain we received Friday night. This water was pumped out before being raked.

After a hard mornings work, the sun shined brightly and the tournament was a huge success.

13 WATERFALL

The decision was made to reintroduce the water feature on hole 13. This definitely enhances the club's entrance way.  Once the preliminary plans were posed, we went to task to complete the waterfall. After a few setbacks the falls were turned on last Wednesday to great relief and jubilation!!  Here are few pics which chronicle the installation.

Day lighting the 6" pipe and reshaping the stream

Installing the liner

Laying the sod

Designing and building the pump sled.

The pump and sled ready to dive. This will aid in service removal.

COMPLETION!

 

I have been asked a few times recently, why did you go out and beat up the greens after they finally healed from aerification? The Graden process we performed on the greens earlier this year sliced a channel about 1 to 1 1/2 inches down. This does a great job removing the dense top layer, but we must also open channels deeper into the soil profile. The Verti-Drain machine accomplishes this using a 3/8" X 10" solid tine to reach down 7-9 inches. These spaces allow for air and water to penetrate and gives a place for the roots to grow. The deeper the roots can dive the better chance for survival during the hot summer months.

Drilling for water

Today we began the well drilling process on #3. Our hydrologist believes that sufficient water can be found somewhere between 300 and 500 feet down. Today they reached a point of 320 feet and the bottom drill snapped in half, halting the operation. Tomorrow, they will bring out a heavy duty magnet to try and pull that piece out and continue drilling. After they find sufficient water, we will hook up a pump to test water. Once the water quality and quantity is verified, the well stability needs to be checked and we are in business for summer!

The tees will be placed on the forward tee for the remainder of the process. Thank you for your patience as we dig for a much needed resource.