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| Snow & ice from the winter of 2014 |
With the numerous blog posts over the past several weeks I
would hope that everyone is informed about the issues we are dealing with after
the harsh winter. Both greens &
fairways were affected the most due to the fact that water was unable to drain
off the surface and froze creating the ice that ultimately led to the damaged
turf. As the weather SLOWLY turns for
the better, the focus is on recovery.
This post is to provide a little more detail into the steps we are going
to take & estimated time frame for the recovery process on the greens. I will categorize the recovery process in
stages with four stages and then give a brief description of each stage.
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| 16 green |
Stage 1: Aerification, seeding, & topdressing
This process includes the standard aerification with core
removal and cleanup followed by drop spreading a blend of 3 varieties of
bentgrass & topdressing the greens with sand. This is a pretty simple and effective step
that is a standard practice. It allows
us to remove organic matter and incorporate topdressing sand which aids in
numerous benefits such as reduced compaction, eliminate any thatch
accumulation, etc. The seed is dropped
into the aerification holes for good soil to seed contact which is essential to
seed germination. We try to fill in the
aerification holes as best we can to provide as smooth of surface as possible
as the turf heals in normal years but this year we will be looking to establish
new turf due to the damage from the ice.
This process was completed!!
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| Core aerification at 3 green |
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| Pro Sweeper cleaning up the cores. Awesome job by this piece of equipment |
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| Topdressing the greens |
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| Crew brushing in the sand on the greens |
Stage4: Recovery Time
This is the million dollar question and there is no set time
frame. Improved weather would go a long
way in decreasing the closure time but until Mother Nature decides that, we
will keep the greens covered and closed.
This is the best possible decision in order to prevent this situation
from affecting the prime summer months of the golf season. We are taking an aggressive and positive
approach to the situation and I believe
that some of the greens will be able to be opened much sooner than others
depending on the overall damage of each green.
Less damage will require less time and so forth. I will update the blog weekly with the
recovery progress and possible changes to the status of the greens.
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| Time will heal all wounds and we will be back to normal conditions. |
Fairway Damage & Recovery
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| Fairway damage. Notice the line where the ice cracked and allow gas exchange....green! |
The fairways also have damage from the winter and these
damaged areas will have to go through a recovery process also. Fairways are not as significant due to the
fact that putting is not part of its function.
Be that as it may, we will take the necessary steps of aerification
& seeding the more severely damaged areas once we have determined the
areas. Please follow cart restrictions
in order to aid in the recovery process.
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| Fairway aerifier in action |
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| Solid tine aerification to allow air into the root zone |
The situation we are faced with is somewhat unprecedented
for our area but we are forced to deal with it properly in order to return the
course to its original beauty.
We are
not the only course dealing with this issue as the harsh winter caused havoc to
numerous courses.
I ask that you please
be patient while we take the necessary steps in the recovery process a
nd thank you in advance.
