Another Wet One!

Last night we received another inch here at Briarwood Country Club.  Seems as though just when things begin to go in the right direction we just get set back again.  Fortunately today has been mostly sunny with some nice winds to help dry us out.  Unfortunately the weather for the next 3 days looks to be a bit gloomy with more rain on the way. 

We had big plans for today with a lot of mowing and some cultural practices but the wet conditions caused dramatic change.  I'm not all disappointed cause it gives us time to focus on some of the little things that always need done but get looked over.  Lots of trim work was needed done around the golf course as well as up by the clubhouse and along Deerfield Road.  Herbicide applications were desperately needed as well to help control the cool seaons weeds that are enjoying to current climatic conditions.  Along with all these detail tasks we did manage to get out and needle tine our greens as well as do our 10 day fungicide, fertilizer, and wetting agent application on the greens. 

Needle tining the greens is a very important task to help increase the ability for the roots to get fresh oxygen as well as carry out gas exchange.  When the turf canopy is tightly sealed it makes it hard for toxic gasses to escape the rootzone and fresh oxygen to get to the roots.  With the wet weather we've experienced over the last few weeks that intensifies the complications.  "Needle tines" are 5mm solid tines attached to our aerifier the puncture a small hole in the green just as normal aerification does.  These holes are small enough that they don't disrupt play at all and are gone within a few days.  We try to carry this process out at least once every three weeks but during periods of wet weather we try to do this every other week.  Below are a few photos and a video of some of the days work:

This is the needle tine proces.  Notice the very small holes it is creating.  Each hole is about 3" into the greens profile.  This small hole will help get oxygen down to the roots of the turf as well as let gasses built up escape the soil profile.

Nathan needle tining #3 green.  He had a long walk today doing all 21 greens.

Back pack spraying around 10 green.  The guys were able to walk the complete front 9 and begin on the back.  Die weeds, DIE!!!!

We hope that tonight and tomorrow produce no rain.  A great deal of mowing is on the schedule so that we can get caught up.  With today being wet, we're now a day behind.  A few longer days are on the schedule so by Thursday we can be caught up and get prepared for the long holiday weekend.