2016 fw Edge Sodding Project

This fall we continued our fairway edge sodding.  If you remember, 9, 14,15 & 18 fw edges were done last year and have created a nice definition between the fairway and rough.  This year we continued by sodding the fairway edges on 2, 11, 12 & 17.

The staff and I removed the old fairway edge with a big roll sod cutter attached to our tractor.  Dan Kaiser and his crew then laid the new Kentucky Bluegrass sod that we purchased from Red Hen Turf Farm.

Below is a picture of us removing the old fairway edge.

 
  

Greens Aerification

Last week the crew and I finished aerifying greens.  Each fall we bury the greens with a heavy amount of sand, let the sand dry, "deep-tine" aerify with 3/4" solid tines, and then hand broom in the dried sand into the aerification holes.

The process works well when we have good drying conditions, such as abundant sunshine and a little wind.  Under those conditions the sand dries enough that it doesn't stick to each other and works into the holes easily.  Conversely, when the sand is damp it bridges over the holes and refuses to work into the holes making for an unproductive day.

Greens aerification days are labor intensive and the crew works hard to get the job done.  Fortunately, we have a great group of employees who, every year, do the task asked of them without complaint.  Thanks again guys!

 

Verticutting Tees

Last week the crew finished verticutting tees.  The machine being used to do this has blades that spin around on a shaft.  Each blade then cuts a linear groove in the turf removing accumulated thatch.  The removal of excess thatch helps lessen disease pressure, helps with water penetration and maintains a firmer playing surface.  

After the tees were verticut in 2 directions there was a substantial amount of thatch to be picked up.  Sand topdressing was then applied.

Drainage Project

Dan Kaiser and his crew started on our fall drainage project yesterday.  Over the next two weeks he and his crew will be installing drainage into the areas that were damaged during the repeated rain events in August.  

Many of these areas are bowl shaped, "bird baths" that do not drain.  These types of issues are common on old courses such as ours and drainage installation and/or reshaping of those specific areas are the only answers.  

2016 Grounds Crew

Since starting here in August of 2002 I have had the opportunity to work with a great group of guys.  Each year the dynamics of the crew changes a little.  Some years more than others.  This past year I was able to retain most of the crew and I only added 3 new faces.

Each year's crew is a little bit different, but I have to say the guys I have this year have to be among the best I have had in my 14 years.  Everyone one of them care about the course, work well together and seem to enjoy being here.  Hard to ask for more than that.  Thank you for your hard work guys!

Front row:  Alex Lincoln - Asst. Superintendent (2nd year), Klay Hobson (2nd year), Zac Adkins (2nd year), Dallas Galanda (3rd year), Bailey Rank (1st year), Andrew Menke (1st year), Joe Lewicki (4th year), Rob Lemon - Facilities Mgr. (16th year), John Maximoff (14th year), Joe Lovison, (4th year).

Back Row:  Eric Rank - Director of Grounds (14th year), Nathan Stanage (2nd year), Forest Galanda (6th year), Dayton Siewert (2nd year), Cody Galanda (4th year), Carl Ardissono (5th year), Paul Ardissono - Crew Foreman (6th year), Paul Kniola - Equipment Manager (12th year), Mike Petro - Entrance/Range Specialist (12th year), Rick Varner (1st year), Darrell Chitty (14th year)

Fairway Gypsum Application

Every year we spread gypsum on our fairways per recommendations made by Mavis Consulting.  The gypsum breaks down easily after a few passes with a steel drag mat and a few minutes of water.

The trick is actually getting it out of our spreader.  The material is a consistency of a damp, heavy flower and requires some "coaxing" to get it out of the spreader.  The picture below shows Carl doing just that.

Gypsum is important for a number of reasons.  A few of them are:

1. It's a source of calcium and sulfur for plants. 
2. Gypsum improves soil structure.  Flocculation, or aggregation, is important in the soil profile for plants to have healthy roots.    
3. It also improves water infiltration into the soil.  

Fairway Topdressing

Our fairway topdressing program at the club is in full swing and this year marks the first year for all the fairways to receive sand.  The newly added fairways to the list include 1,2,3,7,10,14 & 18.  

The program is in various stages and the picture below shows the effect the sand is having to the soil profile.  For example, 4 fw is in its 3rd year, while 4 approach has been getting topdressed for 5 years.  The sand accumulation is dependent on how often we topdress and how heavy the application of sand was.  Initially, 4 approach, 10 approach and 6 fw were aggressively topdressed with a number of heavy applications of sand spanning the first 2 years.  Our current program on all of the fairways is much lighter so the sand accumulation in those profiles will be slower.