After the recent rains, the course has finally dried. The total measurement of rain on the course was 5.3 inches over a 12 day period (Aug. 16-Aug. 27). For the majority of that time, the soil on the course remained saturated. In saturated soil, the moisture displaces the oxygen until the soil is able to dry. It is very important for soil to maintain oxygen levels to provide the best growing environment for healthy turf. This brings us to our projects this week.
Our efforts this week are being directed at providing holes to allow the soil to dry, and for air to enter the soil. On the greens and tees we used our aerators with needle tines to spike holes.
Conny using the aerator on 3 green.
Holes left in the green from the aerator with needle tines.
All of the greens and tees have been finished. The holes were left open on Monday night, and on Tuesday morning we topdressed the greens, brushed in the sand, and rolled the greens. You may still be able to see some holes in the greens, but they are ready for putting.
On the fairways we are using a machine that puts a slice about 6-8 inches into the soil. This machine is pulled behind a tractor. Check out the slicer in action with our first video on the blog!
Torres operating our fairway slicer.
After Torres puts the slices into the fairway, we follow with a brush in the opposite direction to help stand the grass up, then follow the brush with a mower to even out the surface. Finally, we pull a roller over the fairways to smooth any tufts of soil left.
This is what the fairways look like after the slice makes a pass.
Roberto mowing the fairway after it has been brushed.
Finally, the roller making a pass over the fairway.
The marks in the fairways may be noticeable for the next few days, but will heal soon. The fairway slice should be done on Wednesday.
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