Aeration and turf decline

We are now starting our second week after aeration. It was a very tough stretch for aerating cool season turf and we have some areas that did not respond well (It has sparked some serious rethinking of the whole program as well as timing for upcoming seasons). In the meantime, we are focusing on healing and repairing.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for the Bermuda grass. It received a boost of oxygen to the roots, some fertility, and it reached its highest growth rate of the season. It is ready for the late summer and fall golf season.

The weather couldn’t have been worse for the greens and collars. High heat, high humidity, and high soil temperatures are never a good combination for cool season turf. Add in the stress of aeration and some turf did decline. These areas will show great improvement as the weather breaks, which has already started: highs in the 80’s and lows in the 60’s. However, turf never recovers as fast as it declines. This process will take time. But we will be doing all that we can to make sure it improves as quickly as possible.

Looking forward we will evaluate all the issues that led to the poor performance of some of the turf. Several factors were caused by the Grounds staff and the things we do during the aeration process. For next year, we are already planning a few tweaks to the procedure, all to help the grass better withstand all the stresses. However, we are also looking at the overall trends of the last few years- weather during aeration has been getting warmer and warmer and likely isn’t going to get cooler. Another part of the post-aeration evaluation is whether the first week of August still makes sense as the date for aerating the greens and collars. It has long been the scheduled date for aeration at Bretton Woods, but that does not mean it always has to be. October weather would be much better for the turf, but healing would likely take longer, especially as the golf calendar keeps moving further into the fall. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option that we are assessing for years to come.

Now that aeration is behind us, we will focus on getting the course back in shape for the fall golf season. We will work diligently to make sure that the turf that did decline through the tough weather and aeration stretch is back in top condition as quickly as possible.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don’t apply bug spray or sunscreen while standing on greens, tees, or fairways.

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

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org