Aerification 2013Update

Well here we are, one week removed from the dreaded "Greens Aeration" and we are showing some great recovery despite Mother Nature's best efforts to screw it up. We started the process last Monday 3 June and we got through with out a hitch, we were able to poke the holes, topdress, fertilize and clean up the  despite a poor weather forecast which called for a lot of rain due to the approach Tropical Storm Andrea from the Gulf of Mexico. Nothing like getting our first Tropical activity 4 days after the start of Hurricane Season eh?! Once Thursday came along we were receiving some rain activity as a result of the feeder bands from TS Andrea. Never the less we were able to get the first "post aerification" mow on Thursday afternoon and  things were going well into Friday after noon at which time we received more, a lot more, rain from the passing storm, 7 inches to be exact.

Close up of holes on #18 today

While the rain was definitely a set back for the bunkers and rough mowing, the greens weren't affected as much. The sand from the topdressing stayed in place and we were able to mow them everyday. On Monday we let we gave them a break from mowing and put a light verticut, this is where we use reels with vertical blades on them which has multiple beneficial effects, on them to help get the holes closed faster. Tuesday we mowed one last time with the 'sand' reels to clean up after the verticut and Wednesday we got to mow with fresh reels. You should have seen the grass we cut! The fresh reels really helped to smooth out the greens as we were able to get a nice cut on the Tif Eagle.

Aeration holes last Tuesday

As we stand today the holes are roughly 85% healed which is great for it being only a week since we punched the holes. We will continue to mow and roll and we plan on bringing the heights of the greens mowers down this weekend to start bringing the green speeds back up. 

 Please be advised that the green speeds will be slower than normal through the weekend. It looks like the rain should stay away and we should have some great golfing conditions for this Father's Day Weekend!

Skip Connolly

Golf Course Superintendent