Fall Maintenance Update

Yes it's that time of year... Again. Aerification!

We have enjoyed some good conditions throughout the golf course this year and this is directly related to the cultural programs that we've put into place over the last two years. Of the cultural practices we employ on the golf course, the most important is proper aerification of the playing surfaces. This will begin Monday the 26th with the aerification and sanding of the putting green and the front nine greens. Tuesday the 27th, the back nine will be closed to play as we aerate and sand. All 18 holes will be open for play Wednesday.

The picture above depicts the effects of aerification in both the soil and to the grass plant itself. After a long growing season, the upper rootzone is compacted from all the mowing, rolling and foot traffic from golfers and maintenance staff and it is critical to relieve this compaction as we go into the winter months. The greens should be back in shape and healed up in 10 to 14 days and we look forward to some great playing conditions this fall and into the winter months. Thank you and we'll see you on the course.

Josh Clevenger

Golf Course Superintendent

MacKenzie Gathering

"The best golfing grasses vary in color. They may be red, brown, blue, dark green, light green, yellow and at times even white. A golf course that is consisted entirely of one shade of green would be merely ugly." - Alister MacKenzie

On the eve of the final day of the MacKenzie gathering, I must say that it's been an honor and privilege to be a part of such a special event. The staff in the Turf Department and I are proud of the work that has been accomplished leading up to and throughout the event. It's been a long stretch and it takes a lot of work to prepare the golf course to look and play as it has over the last few weeks. I must say that tournament preparation for me is the most rewarding of all the things we do as Golf Course Superintendents and I will be a bit sad to end the day tomorrow. I've had the opportunity to meet with and spend some time with some very special people who are all so passionate about one thing - Golf. Thanks to all involved and thanks for a great week.

Josh Clevenger
Golf Course Superintendent