Labor Day is less than a month away and with it brings the routine practice of fall core aeration. This process will be completed over three closed days, September 4, 5, and 6. This will really breathe fresh air back into the greens and allow complete recovery from a long, hot summer. During this time of aeration, another agronomic practice will take place known as Drill and Fill. This process is basically a large scale core aeration. Our typical core aeration removes a 1/2" diameter core about 3-4 inches deep. These holes are on a 1.5" x 2" spacing. Sand is topdressed on the green and brushed into the holes. This process removes thatch, increases water infiltration, and improves gas exchange (Carbon Dioxide out, Oxygen in.) The Drill and Fill removes material and creates a 1" hole about 9-10 inches deep on a 3" by 3" spacing. The benefit to this is to improve water infiltration much deeper into the green cavity and promote much deeper root growth. Deeper root growth will lead to a healthier, more durable plant. These larger, deeper channels of sand will function much longer than the typical core aeration. Drill and Fill will be performed this Fall, next Spring and in the future as needed. This will be a great tool to help improve long term plant health and playability. Our thought process is to combine the Drill and Fill with core aeration to minimize disruption of play. The video below helps show the process.
Another event coming up on the golf course will be our Fall Course Care Party. We had a great turnout in June and we hope for another great turnout on September 17 at 5:30 p.m. This date falls right before the Ladies' Member Guest and will help improve conditions heading into the big Fall swing. We hope you plan to attend.
Have a great day,
Jordan Booth
jbooth@willowoakscc.org
