New collar sod

We have been planning the renovation of our collar turf for several months. At the end of last week, we finally got started and are halfway finished.

The collar is the narrow strip of grass that encircles the green, plus the wider section in the fronts (and sometimes sides) of the green. We have included a crude sketch for reference, with the lightest shade of green representing the entire collar:

The old collar consisted of several types of grass: bluegrass, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, but none of them were the best type for the situation. And during the summer, the weaknesses of each type of grass would lead to poor conditions. Heavy traffic, heat stress, drought stress, and insect damage would all contribute to the decline. So, we decided to renovate the collars to bentgrass, which was the best option for our circumstances.

Bentgrass is a much more heat and drought stress tolerant species, especially the particular variety we selected. It will stand up much better to the traffic stress. And while the insect issue will remain- bentgrass is the second choice of the annual bluegrass weevil, second only to annual bluegrass, our dominant species on greens- the bentgrass is able to withstand the attack much better.

At the end of last year, we repaired a few poor areas on the course using this same bentgrass that we are using again now. You can see those sections on holes 5, 11, 12, and 14. We also did a large portion of #9 during the drainage installation we did on that green. Lastly, at the end of the year, we renovated the entire chipping green collar as part of our bunker renovation work at the practice area.

Work started on February 26^th after several weeks of delay due to weather. But with increased labor from the contractor, we were able to get off to a great start. By the end of the first day, all the old sod on the collars had been cut and 12 of 19 had been cleaned up. The next day we laid a full truck load of new sod, which covered 9 holes. More weather issues are expected, but we will finish as soon as we can this upcoming week, likely in only another day or two.

Cutting the old sod first.

It is labor intensive work. The old
sod is removed by hand.

This is how the final prep stage looks.

New sod

More new sod

The new sod will take some time to heal in, longer if temperatures stay cool. However, getting the work done now will ensure that the collars are healed in before the heat and stress of the summer.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path

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