As I sit down to write this, the crew is out on the South course aerifying the greens.  We are working to break through a layer that has formed due to our small-tine aerification regimen.  We are committed to removing as much thatch as we can from the green surfaces, while still trying to keep the greens rolling smooth longer into the fall.  We have been very satisfied with the amount of thatch we have removed from the greens over the past three seasons, however, this practice is not without a down side.  By punching the greens more often with a smaller tine, we create a “plow pan,” which is a compacted layer below the surface where the tines stop on their down-stroke.  Our plow pan is approximately 4 inches below the surface of the greens.  We do vary the length of our tines to try to limit the compacted layer, but unfortunately, it still forms over time.  The process we are performing on the South today and will be performing on the North next Tuesday uses tines that are 11inches long and slightly larger than the diameter of a pencil. (see picture)

 

These tines penetrate the greens to approximately 7 inches and “kick” slightly, which leaves a pencil-sized hole at the surface, but creates an oblong-shaped hole below ground.  This process helps to break channels through the plow pan in order to allow air and water further into the profile, which in turn, will create stronger, healthier greens.

 

 

The turfcare department is committed to creating the finest greens possible, but in order to do so, we must perform tasks that create less than ideal conditions in the short-term.  Our aerification program has worked very well to create greens that are more consistent throughout the playing season.  We are constantly looking for low-impact solutions to some of the issues that arise from the maintenance that is required for consistent greens.  We will continue to work hard to manage our maintenance practices with as little impact as possible to the member-designated golf course.   We really appreciate people’s understanding of the “necessary evils” of maintaining high-end turf and we are happy to say that this will be the last aerification procedure until we punch with quarter-inch tines in October! We will of course, remain on our standard verticut and topdress program throughout the remainder of the season.

 

As always, if this email creates any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 

Thank You, 

Mike Turner, Director of Agronomy