Summer Course Maintenance

JAYBORING | DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSES & GROUNDS

SUMMER COURSE maintenance practices are scheduled for June 5 - 14 and again August 1 - 9.The weeks we close duringthe summer are the most important weeksofthe golfmaintenance schedule,ensuring the health ofthe turf.

TEES will be verticut to help with the grain.This helps with smoothness,water penetration and overall root development. The goal for the next season is a lower mowing height on tees to get them closer to green surfaces.

FAIRWAYS will again be aerified the first week ofAugust.Aerification helps with water movement through the profile as well as smoothing out the rough areas.Also,we will be topdressing fairways on Mondays to help with smoothness and firmness,which helps with balls rolling out.

GREENS will be double verticut,aerified with 5/8”tines and heavily top-dressed.This process relieves compaction by providing channels for water to enter the root zone, promotes healthy plant growth and smooths imperfections.

COLLARS will be scalped down to a lower height to help with smoothness.By scalping the collars,it provides a better surface but,along with the greens,it will take about 3 weeks to heal,provided we have good weather.

ROUGH will be aerified all summer along with an AerWay aerifier and top dressed in August.This will relieve compaction and promote better turfgrowth.

BUNKERS will be checked for sand depths to make sure 6”ofsand is spread evenly throughout the bunkers.In addition, we will be smoothing edges so balls will end up in the bottom ofbunkers.This process will go on all summer long.

Aerification

HOW : Using an aerifier,5/8”plugs of soil are removed leaving holes for air to get beneath the surface ofthe turf.

WHY: To relieve soil compaction and create firm,smooth putting surfaces by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turfroots.

Verticutting

HOW : Thin,tightly spaced blades cut vertically into the turf,below the effective cutting height to penetrate and thin the turf canopy.

WHY: Helps reduce thatch build-up (which restricts air,water and fertilizer into the soil) and allows moisture and oxygen into the root system.

Top Dressing

HOW : Sand is spread using a larger spreader after aeration or verticutting which allows the sand to permeate the turf.

WHY: Sanded surfaces promote tighter, finer textured turf,alleviate compaction, encourage upright growth,& help with thatch control and provide lower mowing heights.

Easter Celebration

APRIL