Aeration week recap

To recap the last week: we received even more rain, but we still managed to squeeze in aeration with almost no delays.

Since our last post, we received another 2.1” of rain, which compared to the totals leading into that timeframe, was relatively small. However, those 2’ added on top of everything else did not allow for much drying. We also had to work very efficiently and carefully around the rain to complete aeration. Luckily, the timing of each rain event was just right to allow us to sneak between storms.

Greens aeration in process

We monitor the weather incessantly. Leading into and during aeration, we increase our diligence even more. Most of the things we need to accomplish during aeration do not work if the ground is too wet or if rain occurs while we are working. Besides our own weather watching, we also employed our weather service to which we subscribe to help as well. This included a report 1 week before we started, another 3 days before, another the evening before, and another leading into our second day of work. All of this information helped us formulate our plan.

We were able to accomplish everything we planned on the front 9 greens and finished by 3pm. We aerated all of the fairways in just under 12 hours on Monday, finishing at 4:30pm, and as the tractors were driving to the shop, the rain started. Enough rain fell that had we not finished the fairways Monday, Tuesday would have been to wet to do any, so it was very lucky it all worked out.

Tuesday, however, was not too wet to finish the greens. We aerated the back 9 greens, again finishing everything we needed by 3pm. Rain came again that afternoon/evening, but it didn’t catch us while we were working. All greens and fairways were done by 3pm Tuesday.

Greens aeration cleaned area versus not cleaned

We have since also finished aerating tees. We still have both soccer fields to do, but they have been too wet the entire time. We need a good dry stretch to work down there. We also have half of our fairway compost application to complete. The fairways were too wet to drive a tractor on, so we had to wait. We expect to finish them Monday.

The next step is to get the greens back into good playing condition. The rain has made the greens too wet to mow for several days. Mowing wet turf is one of the easiest and quickest ways to damage it; mowing it when it is too wet in the heat of summer is an even surer way to cause harm, so we are not risking the damage. Once the greens dry, we will lower the mowing height back down and get them into shape for the busy fall season. The aeration holes are already disappearing and will only continue to close up in the next couple of days.

The rain also makes it difficult or impossible to mow most other areas also. We will continue to mow as much rough as we can, in the places that we can, until things dry out. The same goes for the fairways; once they are dry enough, we will mow again.

Through a little planning and a LOT of luck, aeration was completed around several inches of rain, almost flawlessly. We will get the course back under control as soon as we can.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please enter and exit all bunkers on the low side. While this may result in slightly more distance to rake, it will keep the sod on the face of the bunker from tearing. It is also much safer! Thank you.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org