Wednesday, April 12, 2017
I feel like the Masters is always the unofficial start to the golf season. The excitement of the back 9 on Sunday surely inspired most of us to knock the rust off the clubs and get out on the course. The early warm weather has kicked the golf course into gear. Greens, tees, and fairways are all growing very well. Greens are recovering from aeration and fairways are at least 3 weeks ahead of schedule. We are actively mowing tees and fairways and are finishing the first mowing on the rough this week. The last drainage project will take place next Monday, fan wire and bases will be installed by the end of the month, and repairs to the rock walls around the property are underway. The time of year for projects is quickly coming to a close and we are looking forward to normal maintenance.
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| Our team wrapped up the renovation of the bunkers on 10 and 14. Drainage has been installed and new liner and sand installed in the bunkers. Whenever new sand is added, we have to make sure it gets compacted to prevent plugging. Our team has been busy compacting, water, and rolling bunkers to provide a firm surface. |
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| This drainage project behind the silver tee on #3 is being finished this week. We will install additional drainage between this tee and the fairway on #3 next week. While there are always more drainage projects to do, these will finish our winter list. Overall, the team installed 16 different drainage projects. |
This past Monday, April 10, ClearVision turf performed the DryJect process on greens. The DryJect is a machine that injects kiln dried sand into the greens to create channels similar to core aeration. The difference is that the DryJect does not remove any material. The DryJect does a nice job of relieving compaction and getting more sand into the greens profile. This will be our last aggressive cultural practice on greens until August. Greens are growing very well and will get better and better every day.
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| ClearVision provides the machines and operators while our team fills the machines with sand. The DryJect injects high pressure water into the greens, pulling sand into the void and relieving compaction. |
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| This picture illustrates the benefits of all of the cultural practices this spring. The dark thatch in the top inch of the profile is the target of these practices. While the Graden linear aeration and core aeration remove material and backfill with sand, the DryJect simply injects sand into the profile. All of these practices impact thatch and provide healthier, firmer surfaces. |
Have a great week,
Jordan Booth, CGCS
