Day Two - Conclusion of the Day

The "Darker" Patterns are Last Year's Sod

As we are going through the aerification process I have been noticing a darker pattern being exhibited on the greens where we sodded last year.  Not to worry the bermudagrass is quite healthy in these areas just not as mature as ours.  This will stabilize out over time.

Topdressing 9's Green

It would not be aerification without problems.  Today is no exception to that rule ... the loader we borrowed from Desert Falls broke down (for those keeping count that is two loaders), and the topdresser adjustment bar got stuck to a point it will required complete disassembly to repair.  The good news is we fixed the loader and finished the greens, and we figured a way to compensate for the adjustment bar issue until we have time to repair.

Look Out Towards 6's Green

We have applied the fertilizers to the greens (K-Mag (a potassium source), Gypsum (a calcium source), and 21-0-0 (a nitrogen source) to aid in expediting recovery.  Additionally, today we got a major jump on the aerification of the tees and the par 3's approaches which that part will be done by tomorrow.

Final Green Topdressed - 1's Green

Speaking of tomorrow our plan is to apply wetting agent, grub and fairy ring control, and salt removal.  We also will be mowing the greens for the first time after the aerification.  Spot plugging continues on greens 4 (finished), 5 (finished), 9 (finished), 1, Lg PG, 12 & 13, with the goal being done by Friday.

Could not be more proud of the team overcoming all of the aerification challenges and getting the job done ... even at 15 total team members with two of those on vacation ... leaving 13 team members ... very impressive.

How Much Ryegrass is Left?

A side note about transition:  You may ask "How much ryegrass is left in this heat?"  Well the picture above is glaring proof that we are still transitioning from ryegrass to bermudagrass, and why new "hot spots" will continue to pop up.  Two weeks ago we sprayed to remove some nutsedge (the world's worst weed) around 1's green.  The chemical used also takes out ryegrass and is used as a transitioning tool at high end golf courses including Avondale a few years ago. 

The approach and the green grass remaining is healthy bermudagrass, while the "dead" is the ryegrass.  The straight line between the two grasses is where the spray boom was turned on ... this chemical had no effect on the newly laid 328 bermudagrass in the approach of 1.  The good news is that this area will not fill in quicker and recover faster than the non sprayed areas ... plus it will be stronger for years to come.