Finishing Bermuda grass sod

We will finish up the Bermuda grass sod this week. It took later into the season than we wanted to get started, but the natural healing of the existing turf allowed for less sod overall.

Once the weather turned in favor of Bermuda grass growth, our existing fairway grass started to heal in many of the weaker areas around the course. While it was hard to look at some of the thin areas for so long, waiting longer can be a benefit in the long run. Turf that recovered naturally and healed in will be stronger and more resilient to stresses through the seasons compared to brand new turf that may or may not have experienced some of those same conditions.

Nevertheless, some sod was necessary. We were able to accomplish all our sodding goals with 10 pallets of sod, or 5,000 square feet. This may seem like a lot of sod but repairing 5,000 square feet out of the 1,960,200 square feet of total Bermuda grass on the property isn’t actually that much. This did not cover every square inch of weak Bermuda grass, nor were we ever going to try to cover everything. Some weak areas will be transitioned to rough next year and some weak areas are healing enough on their own and did not warrant sod. Luckily, the weather is perfect for the new sod. With a little water and a few warm days, new roots are forming in about 3 days. The sod from 1 week ago has already been mowed once and the newest batch will be cut this week.

In no time the new sod will be part of our regular maintenance routine and ready for play.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

After filling your divot with sand, either on a tee or fairway, please smooth the sand pile out so our mowers don’t cut through the sand.

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