Fracturing Helps

One of the important cultural practices we perform on the fairways throughout the year is solid tine aerification. 

The heavy duty aerifier used for this process doesn't create a perfectly vertical hole, but goes in straight and then "kicks" the soil as it comes back out.  This slight heaving of the ground helps to fracture the soil beneath, increasing pore space for water penetration, gas exchange, and rooting.

From a golfer's point of view, the great thing about this process is that it causes minimal surface disruption. 



You have to look closely to see the aerification holes on this fairway just a couple of days after being solid-tined.

Sitting down on the job...

 For several days last week, the wind and temperatures felt more like January than it actually did back in January.  With nobody on the course, this weather provided an opportunity for the team to tackle the bridge decking project on #14.  

With thousands of screws to install, this is one time when sitting isn't frowned upon.  The anti-slip PEM matting for the center of the bridge is already in stock, so as soon as we have some good drying weather, that will be glued in place.   

A better looking base

While the tee consoles we installed last year are attractive, the concrete bases we poured for them look like...uh, concrete.  In an effort to make these a bit more aesthetically pleasing, we are adding some pavers installed vertically, and a bit of river stone on top.

In addition to an improved appearance, these are still good from a maintenance perspective.  The pavers can be quickly zipped around with a string trimmer with no concerns of damaging the base.

Now you see it, now you don't...

For those who dare to play from the back tee on #17, we have removed a significant obstacle.  The before:

The after:

While this shot may still be like hitting to an island green from 200 plus yards, at least it will no longer have to be played like a dogleg par 3.