The tri plex challenge

Yesterday afternoon our Food and Beverage Manager Nick Carlone took on the triplex challenge! He double mowed the 5th fairway with this unit and it took him 1 3/4 hours to finish. Not bad considering I gave him a 2 minute crash course on "how to operate". This is BRELN at it's best!

Time to verticut

Yesterday we completed the first verticut on fairways. You will notice a few rough patches than others, but this is a great start to fill in the less desirable areas on the fairways. After a mow this is what the finish products looks like.

On the right path

Starting to verticut fairways. Minimal disruption and this practice is huge in removing old material. The plant will "wake up" and there will be new growth.

We are golfers unseen heroes

Behind the scenes. Another beautiful sunrise at Canyon Crest...

Aeration is a must to sustain turf

The word aeration stimulates negative emotions for many golfers. It may come as a surprise, but golf course superintendents also dislike aeration. After all, the last person who wants to disrupt the smoothness of the putting greens they work so hard to maintain is the superintendent. Golfers often ask, “Why is aeration needed so often?” Aeration is an essential program to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition. Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions. Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces. Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores – e.g., 0.5-inch diameter cores – from the turf and is the most common type of aeration. Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, resulting in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate golfer traffic. Proper timing of aeration will ensure the fastest possible recovery and return to smooth surface conditions. The key to a quick recovery is to perform aeration when the turf is healthy and actively growing. The articles, Core Cultivation: Timing is Everything and Easing the Pain of Core Aeration expand on proper aeration timing. There are many types of aeration that superintendents use throughout the season; some are more labor-intensive and disruptive to playing surfaces than others. Less-disruptive forms of aeration, including venting aeration with small-diameter, solid tines, also are beneficial because they can alleviate turf stress by promoting oxygen levels in the soil. Aeration programs that have a small impact on a playing surface generally can be performed throughout the season with little or no disruption to play. The type and frequency of aeration needed is course specific. Superintendents adjust aeration programs based on soil conditions, turf requirements, climate/weather, available labor and equipment, course events, etc. Aeration can create short-lived disruption but it is a highly beneficial program that keeps greens healthy and playing well. Playing conditions are of the utmost importance for most golfers, and aeration is needed to keep turf healthy and playing well. Aeration can be disruptive, but the long-term benefits of aeration far outweigh the short-lived disruption. The next time you play on greens that were recently aerated, keep in mind that aeration is performed for the long-term health of the course. The greens may not play their best immediately following some aeration treatments, but everyone is playing the same conditions and golfers still can enjoy the game and make plenty of putts.

Dog days of summer

There will be a few more months of great growing conditions and it is my personal goal to have the fairways in great condition. We just raised the mowing height to a 1/2", and verticutting/coring will help to achieve a desirable canopy of good turf. This is my main focus before we overseed tee tops, green surrounds, and aerify greens. The golf car paths have been poured from the first bridge on #12 all the way to the #13 green! My staff will also have to build a dirt bridge from #3 to #2 across the canal for the concrete trucks. There is a ton of stuff that we are doing right now so please be patient.

The golf car path process

We are very close to having concrete being poured for the golf car paths! Here is a picture of the construction crew yesterday doing there final grade on hole #14. Besides all of the irrigation breaks we have had, we are very excited to finally see concrete!

#10 green repair

It has been almost a month since the unfortunate incident when the greens mower busted a hydraulic line on #10 green. We tried to save the turf but with the hot weather and amount that was spilled on the green it could not be saved. Yesterday the crew replaced the sod with a new turf and will be in fine shape by next week. Lets keep our fingers crossed, anywhere but the greens!

Golf Car Paths

Great news!!!!! We are excited to announce that today the golf car path project will be starting! The remaining holes that are left with no concrete for the paths are 12,13,14,2,5,6. The golf car paths will be graded and poured in this order. Hole 12-13-14-6-5-2. We anticipate the project to be completely done by the end of September.