Verti-quake

One of our newest machines has been busy lately. The Verti-quake is a large, linear aerator, designed to cut deep channels into the ground. We have finished our top priority areas, and we will start an entire fairway soon.

We have briefly discussed the Verti-quake before here and here. Instead of a typical aeration that pokes holes in a grid pattern, the Verti-quake uses large knives that slice down into the soil for sub-surface disruption. Two of the main differences, and thus benefits, of the slicing versus the regular aeration are the depth we can reach and the total area impacted.

Surface area impacted is a function of tine diameter and spacing. If we use very large diameter tines and make holes really close to one another, we are impacting a greater area. And if we use small diameter tines and spread them far apart, the disturbance shrinks. For the Bermuda grass, we use ¾” diameter tines, spaced about 2” apart. This is a relatively average, typical setup and it roughly impacts about 7% of the surface. Where the Verti-quake stands out is because the knives cut a continuous path, unlike the aerator that only pokes a hole every 2 inches. We don’t have a specific percentage of surface disruption because the equation is not as straightforward, but the idea is that rather than only poking holes every so often, the Verti-quake is breaking up the soil along its entire path.

But the more important way the Verti-quake improves upon a typical aeration is the depth to which we can reach. Our regular aeration only reaches about 2-3” deep. The Verti-quake can work down to at least 10” and we are slicing about 4-4.5” deep currently. There are regular aeration machines that can match that depth, but they again are only poking holes at a certain interval. And if the aerator is working in poor soil, which we definitely have, then the regular aerator may not be able to penetrate the hardpan, and you will not accomplish the depths needed. Because the Verti-quake uses knives that cut through the soil instead of pounding down into it, it is capable of working through some extremely tight soil.

We had some top priority areas that we wanted to work through with the Verti-quake first: both soccer fields, 2-4 passes across all of the approaches (which includes several of the main areas of Bermuda sod work), and then historical weak areas on #1, #4, #5, #7, #11, #15, #17, and #18 fairways. All of that has been done over the last month. Next, we will tackle #8 fairway in its entirety, over the next couple of weeks. Our goal is to finish #8 fairway, and possibly one or two more this summer. But over the coming seasons, we will strive to finish all the Bermuda grass on the course at the current working depth, and then work back through everything again, pushing the machine deeper and deeper each time.

The Verti-quake will not replace our regular aeration program because it accomplishes different goals. The machine operates slowly, but working to shift the texture and structure of our soil is also a slow process. The Verti-quake is another tool for us to continue to improve growing conditions across the course.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts are capable of a very tight turning radius, but please don’t turn that sharply in the grass because it can tear the turf.

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

More new mulch areas

Golf is played on turf and golf courses spend most of their resources maintaining the turf to the highest quality possible. But part of the experience of being out on a golf course is the aesthetic value not just of the turf but of the entire surroundings. Continuing the work we have been doing recently to improve our aesthetics, we are gradually adding some new mulch areas.

We don’t have unlimited labor and funds to manage every aspect of the property to the highest standards. Sometimes we must find ways to make things easier to manage, without compromising on quality. Similarly, we are also looking for ways to make the peripheral aspects of the course look better- the areas outside the main corridors of play. The stone work we discussed recently is a big part of this process. But we are also adding or extending new mulch areas to improve visuals also.

Many of the areas that we will be changing already have mulch in some capacity, either nearby that we are connecting to, or in the same place that we are just increasing. The mulch provides a nice contrast to the turfgrass, and this contrast is pleasing to the eye. We are also strategically adding mulch to locations that benefit our operation as well. Mulch beds are less labor intensive than grass. We only mulch once a season and managing the weeds in the mulch is very quick and easy. Comparatively, mowing rough is done at least twice per week, and takes labor and fuel. Not to mention, most of the areas that we are altering have poor grass coverage, lots of tree roots and are therefore very tough on our machines, which increases repairs. By reducing marginal areas that we must mow, we are gaining visual appeal and saving wear and tear on our machines. We have added other new mulch areas over the last couple of years. In particular, we added several to #6. This next phase of additions is a similar process but will focus a bit more around tee areas since we are working on stone nearby at the same time.

The new mulch areas provide a nice contrast to the turf. But they are also a benefit to our operation, saving us time mowing and machine repairs. Improving the aesthetics of our course and benefiting the Grounds department at the same time is a win-win.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts are capable of a very tight turning radius, but please don’t turn that sharply in the grass because it can tear the turf.

 

 

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Bermuda grass sod

Bermuda grass makes up a large percentage of our managed turfgrass and 99.99% of that turf survived winter and is off to a great spring. Nevertheless, the .01% is still something we are working to improve and repair. Last week we were finally able to get sod for the worst areas.

We had temperatures in the 90’s in mid-April, and then a dramatic cool down. All the way into mid-May was cooler than normal, especially overnight. We have also been very dry throughout that same stretch. Neither of these factors are conducive to strong Bermuda grass growth, so our best option for the particularly poor areas is sod. Unfortunately, our local sod producer experienced the exact same temperatures and lack of rainfall as we did, meaning they struggled to get their Bermuda grass sod ready for harvest. This is what caused the time between seeing the need for sod in these struggling areas and the time when we were actually able to make the repairs.

Nevertheless, we were able to secure sod last week and
we wrapped up the work in just a couple of days. The sod was laid at #1 white tee, #2 approach, #3 approach, #4 gold tee, #7 approach, #14 approach, two spots in #15 fairway, #15 approach, #16 approach, and our Bermuda grass soccer field. Several of these areas are repeat offenders that we continue to work hard on improving. #1 tee has been a shade issue, which we were able to alleviate this past winter, so we expect improvement in this area moving forward. #4 tee will have tree work performed this fall/winter to address its shade issues. Several of the approaches had new drains installed this winter and the sod that we laid back over the drains is what didn’t survive. This is likely due to the extra stress of winter work on warm season turf. And the other spots where work has previously been done but continue to struggle, we hope can be improved with the Verti-quake, which we have already used once this spring and will continue to use through the summer. (The link describes the Shockwave, but we bought a Verti-quake- identical machines, different names.)

Having Bermuda grass as a dominant turf for any surface in this region is risky. We are further north than the Bermuda grass would prefer. So, having some repair work to do in the spring is really just par for the course, and being able to limit it to such a small amount is a huge victory. We are happy the sod is done and we can look forward to the rest of the season.

 

 

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Improving the stone on the course

Taking care of the turf and grounds on the property takes up nearly all our time and focus. But we realize that there is more to the experience of being at Bretton Woods than just the grass. Especially on the course, we try to make the entirety of the round enjoyable, from the turf to the landscapes and hardscapes. We have started the process of updating the stone around benches and water coolers to enhance the visual appeal.

Many years ago, loose gravel was placed around most of the benches and water cooler stations. Stone or gravel of any type does serve a very important purpose in these locations. These are areas that we don’t want grass- or any weed for that matter- and the stone keeps plants at bay. It also allows to easily spray herbicides to kill any weeds that do break through without damaging any other turf. Stone can also provide a nice visual contrast from the surrounding grass.

However, the stone that was in place has outlived its welcome. In fact, it likely needed to be changed long before this but now is when it has made it to the top of the project list. Over the next several weeks, we will be out updating the stone around the course. We started last week and will be working on this project at any available time throughout the season.

We have chosen a larger size stone this time. It is a nicer looking rock, rather than gravel, and it is sturdier also. The larger size will help it withstand being moved from water and from our debris blowers. Staying in place better will help it last longer and look cleaner more consistently. We still have the benefit of weed suppression and herbicide tolerance from the previous gravel, but with a new, updated appearance.

Not all the stone on the course is gravel though. More recently, though still many years back now, we placed nice stone under a few trash cans and mulch washout areas. Because it has been so long, some of these areas need refreshing. Over time, some of the stones have sunk into the soil or been buried by debris washed over the top. So, as part of the hardscape enhancement, any previously placed stone will be lifted, cleaned, and reset for a renewed appearance also. In some instances, some fresh stones may also be added to fill in any gaps.

This will likely be a “summer long” process exchanging stone on the course. But the improvements will be noticeable and worth the wait.

 

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

First cut of native areas

May is usually a great month for plants. Trees, flowers, grasses- even Bermuda grass- start really ramping up their growth. Additionally, the grasses in our low-maintenance, native areas start to fill out as well. Early May is when we start our maintenance in these native areas to prepare them for the season.

Just like most aspects of grounds maintenance at Bretton Woods, the native areas are managed on a program. That program has taken several years to develop to the level it is at now, and we likely are not done tweaking it, but at least right now, the native area process starts in May. As mentioned, everything starts to grow about as vigorously as it will all season in May. This makes it a good time to cut the tall grass down, including cutting back any weeds that have started. Waiting too much longer and the grass- and weeds- will get too tall and the mower will struggle to cut. Last week we worked through this first cut using our Ventrac tractor. It takes about 3 and half days to complete everything but it is a smooth process.

Mowing is the main part of our native-area maintenance program. Next, we’ll apply herbicide to control any broadleaf weeds. The grass will quickly rebound from this trim and mature nicely for the season, leaving the native areas ready for another summer.

 

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org