Action Packed

This past week was a big week for our department.  Weather cooperated for the most part allowing us to complete fairway aerification, herbicide applications, projects, along with lots of mowing.  Each week we continue to see progress throughout the course.  Wrapping up projects has been our #1 goal but as grass becomes more active we pick up our daily course maintenance.  Things will be busy over the next few weeks as we continue our spring aerification processes and wrap up the remaining projects at hand.

Fairway aerification is a detailed process, with numerous pieces in place.  Over the last few years we have been more aggressive as our fairways have needed it.  I remember when I arrived to Briarwood;fairways were soft and you received absolutely no roll out on tee shots.  In fact, the ball would bounce backwards.  Changes in practices have improved that.  We now aerify spring and fall followed with heavy topdressing.  The aerification has helped reduce compaction and increase our rooting structure for the turf.  By doing such processes. less water is needed allowing fairways to stay firmer.  Adding topdressing only helps with the above.  Filling aeration holes with sand creates porous avenues for water to drain and roots to follow.  Drying down fairways in the spring forces the turf to push it's roots deeper in search of water.  I'm really happy with the way our fairways have improved.  Along with mentioned above, I continue to notice when divots are taken it's rarely an enormous piece of turf.  Most often the divot breaks apart or it's a smaller piece of turf.  This is due to the topdressing and creating a firmer surface.

Spring herbicide and insecticide applications were made over the past week.  These applications are made to control unwanted weeds and insects.  Each year we make preventative applications for grubs and crabgrass, by doing so it helps reduce populations greatly of such pests and keeping turf more healthy.  We've switched grub control over the last few years with great success.  Before we'd see damage in the early fall from skunks, raccoons and other animals digging for grubs.  The newer insecticide that we've used has eliminated much of our grub population and thus results in less damage from critters digging for them.  Fescue areas saw their spring herbicide applications as well.  These applications are made to control weedy grasses along with other weeds like; dandelions, thistle, clover, etc...  Two applications are usually made earlier spring followed by spot applications throughout the season.

Drainage added between 9 tee and 12 fairway; new 6"
perforated line.

Projects continue to get crossed off our list.  We made a big push at the end of the week to finish up sod work.  Looks like a decent amount of rain is expected this weekend.  Having sod work completed like; stump holes, drainage areas, and other damage is a relief.  Each week we continue to pick off new drainage projects.  The latest was the right of 14 fairway.  This is and area that stays saturated due to being a low area and lots of shade.  Adding drainage will make this area much better.  Other drainage that has been added through last fall and this spring has really showed to be beneficial.

Crew laying sod along 1 and in front of 2 gold tee.
This was a large drainage project done last fall; here
we replaced old 8" concrete tile with 12" double
wall plastic

We are looking to have another great week ahead.  It will take some time to dry from the latest storms but looks to be a good end to the week.  Plans of tee aerification and lake bank work along the 5th hole lay ahead.  With the latest rains and fertilizer applications I'm sure our mowing duties are going to be put in over drive.  May is here; lets hope for a great month of weather and golf.