Post Aerification Update II

The greens are healing well from aerification.  They are still soft to hit in to, only rolling about 8 1/2, and a little bumpy, but they are decent to play on.  We have begun working the height of cut back down and should be back to the height that we were at prior to aerification by next weekend.  I have included a couple of pictures from this morning below.

Post Aerification Update

The greens were mowed Wednesday for the first time since aerification.  The height of cut was raised .025" from where we left off prior to aerification to minimize, as much as possible, the mowers getting into the topdressing sand.  We will work the height back down as they heal.

Yesterday we vented the greens with bayonet tines.  We did this to create deeper channels for root growth in the greens profile. We achieved approximately 4 1/2 inches of depth with the bayonet tines in comparison to 3 inches with the coring tines last week.  Also, this along with rolling immediately afterwards, helps smooth out any light ruts created during the topdressing and brushing process following core aerification.  I have included a picture below of the bayonets in action.

The greens were mowed again today.  The picture below was taken following today's cut.  Even though we are closed, we will be mowing this weekend to continue grooming them for when we open back up on Monday.

Fall Greens Aerification

We completed our fall greens aerification on Thursday.  We removed approximately 3.93% of the surface area of the greens by using .5" inside diameter tines on a 2" x 2.5" spacing.  We aerified to a depth of 3".  Following aerification, we cleaned the cores off of the greens, applied topdressing sand, and brushed the sand into the aerification holes.  We will brush the greens one more time, roll them, and then let them be until they are ready to be mowed early next week.  We are scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 26th.  We will provide updates throughout the healing process.

Still Alive

We have been very busy since our last update!  This summer seems like it just does not want to end!  Despite that the greens are hanging in there fine.  The guys watering greens, on the other hand, are ready for a break!  We are looking forward to greens aerification in 2 weeks on the 15th!  I have added some pictures below of some of the cultural practices that we have completed over the past month.

Aerification and topdressing of approaches

Slicing of fairways with Aerway

Aerification and topdressing of tees

Verticutting of fairways (multiple times)

"Coach" getting the traditional treatment on his last day