Greens Aeration

We topdressed our greens before aerating them this year, which
improved logistics, and resulted a lower impact from the weight
of the topdresser.

We are pleased to say that the aeration to our greens was completed last Wednesday, and the process went very well. Unlike last year, we were able to complete to process on its scheduled dates This will result in improved recovery time and an extended fall playing season for the membership. Each year we try to tweak our aeration procedures to improve results in any way we can. The process went the best it ever has, and the greens are already recovering quite well.

The plug puller actually helped start the incorporation of sand into the aeration holes before we even drug it in.

One week after aeration, and we are already well on our way to smooth putting surfaces

Working on Bunker Drainage

Pumping bunkers after heavy rains can be time consuming.

We start by investigating the cause of the issue.

Bunker drainage was greatly improved with completion of the Better Billy Bunker project two years ago. Some of the fairway bunkers that were not a part of the project still have poor drainage. This fall, before we reach full scale project season, we will be making the rounds to investigate issues with these bunker drains. This will not only improve play ability in these bunkers for the membership, but will also allow us to spend more labor in other areas of the course, that would have otherwise had to have been diverted to pumping out bunkers.

The issue causing poor drainage in the two fairway bunkers on #1 was not surprising. Severe root intrusion.

By cutting out the sections of pipe that were clogged or smashed by roots, we were able to restore working drainage to the two fairway bunkers on #1. We will continue to make our way around the course until we have no more bunkers that hold water after large rain events. Next stop....#2 fairway bunker.