As you can tell from the lack of activity on the blog, we've had our hands full on the golf course over the past few weeks. What has historically been the quiet time here at Claremont (the weeks following the 4th of July) has also been the window for us in the turf department to do all those little pesky thing that make the members wonder "Why are they doing that?" Well, wonder no more.....
FAIRWAY TOPDRESSING & SLICING:
This is nothing new here at Claremont. What is new is the addition of a cultural practice called "Slicing". Slicing is a form of solid tine aeration that helps water to penetrate the soil, helps to allow air down into the root zone and give us some pore space to actually work the sand into.
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| Bulk Sand Truck In Action |
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| Moises on the Fairway Slicer |
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| Fairway after Sand & Slice - Prior to finish Dragging |
GREENS AERATION & SANDING:
The greens were core aerated with a 3/8" hollow tine and sanded heavy on July 5th and 6th. Despite some difficult growing conditions going into and throughout the aerification process, the greens are healing nicely and in just a week we are seeing the holes close up. The greens should be back in great shape by this time next week. This is a new process for Claremont from a timing perspective only. Typically, greens aerification has only been performed in the spring and fall. A mid-season aeration of the greens will help us to properly manage them at a high level throughout the rest of the growing season and help us to provide the firm and fast conditions that we all have come to expect and enjoy.
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| #5 Green One week - Post Aeration - Few Holes Remaining |
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| #5 Green One week - Post Aeration - No Noticeable Holes |
The number one goal for us in the Turf Department is a healthy stand of turf throughout the golf course. A large part of attaining that goal is the need to perform these all-important cultural practices. While at times, we will have to put up with less than perfect conditions around these practices, we are committed to the idea that a healthy stand of turf is one that will thrive and in the end, will require less inputs in the form of chemicals, water and fertilizer. Thanks to all for your understanding and we'll see you on the course!
