Fall Aerification Fairways

For the past 2 years we have used an alternative method to aerify and topdress the fairways. We use a machine made by Blec that slits the ground and inserts sand before recompacting the ground. This method provides lines of sand that allow air and water to infiltrate the ground. It also allows water to move toward existing drainage lines more easily providing better and faster draining fairways. This is a two man job with a little help by a third who drags the sand and applies ryegrass seed.

The Blec

This fall we decided to skip the regular solid tine aeration on the fairways and are only using the Blec. After going through a few minor problems we have the machine dialed in and should be able to finish all holes in an efficient manor. The Blec is an impressive machine that slices, backfills with sand and compacts all in one pass. The goal of the machine is to improve drainage. By connecting the drainage lines with a sand line water can quickly enter the closest drain pipe. In addition, the sand that is left on the surface will be dragged in and act as a light topdressing. After a fairway is complete we will overseed with ryegrass to help the lines quickly fill in and increase turf density on the fairways.

Number 5 Drainage Work

It is often said that the three most important things in golf course construction our... drainage, drainage, drainage. Because Corral was not built with proper drainage Doug has implemented a number of projects and practices to help the course drain better. These include reworking bunkers, installing drainage on every fairway and cultural practices such as aerifying and topdressing.

Today we started adding additional drain lines at the dogleg on number 5. This area has been wet and now is the perfect time to go in and complete the small project. With the equipment and experience that we gained during the fairways project we can quickly complete the project. The first thing we do is trench out the lines. With our trencher guided by the laser level it allows the slope to be predetermined and remain constant through the entire lateral. After the lines have been trenched we clean out the little remaining spoils. Then pitches are rechecked and the drainage is added. We then backfill with sand. Instead of sodding over the drainage lines we use seed. By using the seed we eliminate a soil layer that would rapidly slow the drainage characteristics of the sand. All in all it is a smooth process and helps us provide firm and fast conditions all year round.

Trenching the line

Laser keeping correct pitch

Finished lines

Aerification Week

In addition to reworking the 17th green, we aerified, fertilized and topdressed all of the greenson the course. Follow along for some pictures and a short description of what we do.

The first step is to apply fertilizer and soil admendments to the surface. The three products we apply are gypsum, kelp and Endoroots. Gypsum is the soil amendement that helps replace the salts in our soil with calcium. Kelp is an organic product that helps overall turf quality. Endoroots is a fertilizer which contains Mycorrhizae fungi that encourages rooting. By aerifying over the top of these products it allows them to be worked down in the rootzone.

Next we apply our topdressing sand. This helps smooth the surface and manage thatch.

We then deep tine aerify over the sand with a 1 inch solid tine. This helps move a lot of sand in the rootzone which helps with drainage and modifies the soil9.

We then brush the sand in the holes. It is critical that we fill the holes in order to provide a smooth, puttable surface as soon as possible.

We then use a conventional aerifier with solid tines to get more sand down into the rootzone. After the second aerification we drag the greens with a mat to fill all of the holes. By only using solid tines we limit poa annua seed coming to the surface and the holes heal quickly.

The next step is to plate compact the sand to help firm up the surface and work more sand in the rootzone. This year we also used a heavy duty roller to help firm up the greens after the aerification.

Green Construction

After another long day we were able to finish putting back the sod on the 17th green. After rolling and plate compacting we floated the green to get the soil as smooth as possible. We then started to lay the sod. This part took a long time because of the small pieces we had to cut in order to make sure the sod didn't fall apart. About three fourths into the sod laying we ran out of sod. We decided to take sod from our pitching green because it patched the sod perfectly. If we used bentgrass from our nursery it would have stood out for many years.

Tomorrow we have some more rye grass sod coming to finish the surrounds and a little more plate compacting. After that it should be open by the time the first group comes across 17.

17 Green

Today we continued and accomplished a lot of work on 17 green. We were able to finish the irrigation, trench and install drainage and finish shape and roll the green and surrounds. It was a lot of work but with everyone helping out we are still right on schedule. Tomorrow we will do a little bit more work to firm the green and then lay the sod. Afterwards we will lay ryegrass sod around the surrounds and tidy up the whole area.

Check out the photo album on the right to see pictures of the work taking place

17 Green Project

This morning we finished picking up the remaining sod on the 17th green. Once the sod was picked up we added 75 tons of sand to the surface and rototilled the sand and soil together. The sand will help the growing conditions a lot and will make the green easier to maintain.

As we were working on the green, Jeff Jones of Maverick Golf Design was doing shaping around the green and tying in the surrounds. The finished look well be great and look very natural. We were also able to begin shaping the putting green. This will take a little bit of time to make sure the slopes are interesting but there will be many pinnable areas.

Finally, today we were able to begin installing new irrigation. Because the new green is larger we had to re-space the heads. We should be able to wrap up irrigation and install drainage tomorrow. Once the green is finished shaping we will begin to roll the green and install the sod. So far everything has been going as planned and we should be wrapped up sometime Wednesday.