4's Green Woes, and 1 & 5's Approaches

Verticutting to Loosen Soil

The winds of late have been reeking havoc on our greens, especially the 4th green.  Since this green is the closest to the vacant lot the fine dust particles have been deposited on the green and causing issues.

Blowing Off Excess Soil

Most of the time if we know the winds are coming we turn off the irrigation on that green and water in the morning after we can blow and mow.  Sometimes this just isn't enough the irrigation along with the deposited particles forms a layer that doesn't allow air penetration.

Watering After Blowing

At those times we verticut in several directions and then blow the loosened soil off the green.  After we blow, we water the green and as we did on Friday, fertilize it to push the bermudagrass growth.

Poa Trivilas is Gone But Bermuda is Alive

This fourth green has lost its Poa Triv thanks to these winds but but thanks to our team's efforts the underlying bermudagrass is doing just fine.  But I should note that this week we will have to needle tine the green twice.

Additionally, I have marked the 1st and 5th approaches for the upcoming removal.  If we can expedite this process we may be able to finish everything by Friday of that week.  We will see.  Also today we will start the tilling of the bunkers.

I have had several ask or presume that there is very little sand in the bunkers.  The truth is that there is more than enough sand in the bunkers it is just blow sand.  During the winter months it plays much better since there is very little irrigation inputs, but in the summer where we irrigation 4 to 5 times as much thus greatly increasing the compaction.