Topdressing

This week we were able to put a topdressing application on the new Bermuda fairways. This should help to smooth some of the ribbing we are seeing and, in time, improve the overall soil structure. This week's application is hopefully one of many to come, as I hope to schedule three such topdressings on an annual basis.

Early morning topdressing on #3 fairway

20 tons per acre

Once dry, we drag in the sand

Divots

Fall has begun and we are slowly starting to recover from another tough summer. The new fairways continue to mature and improve. A question that I have been asked a lot in recent weeks is what seed are we now including in our divot mix? To avoid contaminating the new fairways we have taken all seed out of the divot mix. It is straight sand. Unfortunately, hybrid bermuda does not grow from seed; it is propagated vegetatively by sowing cuttings from existing plant material. The best way for the divots to heal is to fill them with sand and allow the rhizomes and stolons to fill-in from the bottom and sides. I think the pictures below do a really good job showing the progression.

New divot

Note the runners over top of the sand

Two weeks later almost healed

At three weeks it's hard to see where the divot was

Fall Aerification

Yesterday's greens aerification went well. With the threat of rain we worked late to complete all the greens. Looking back, it was a great decision. We are making a granular potassium and magnesium application today, using the rain to help water-in the products. Expect a light follow-up topdressing within the next two weeks to completely finish the process.

Verticut, mow and blow clean

Two passes removes a lot of thatch

Medium topdressing

Vertidrain to 8" depth promotes better water movement

Drag-in the sand

Roll smooth

A little fertilizer and water and we are looking good

Bermuda summer

With the recent heat we are seeing a lot of the poa simply melt away. As I have said before, it is extremely difficult to grow an annual plant perennially. The silver lining in this process is that it makes space for the existing Bermuda to fill-in. We have seen a better growing environment for Bermuda this summer than I can ever remember. Heat and humidity are key to good Bermuda growth. With timely fertilizer applications and judicious watering, we hope to encourage the Bermuda through the end of summer and into fall.

Note the Bermuda filling in where the poa has died

Native Areas

At last months Green Committee Meeting we decided to start mowing high play native areas at our regular rough height. During the summer months these areas grow very fast, making for a maintenance nightmare, as we are unable to keep up with mowing them. In using our rough units to cut these areas we will be able to maintain them on a much more consistent basis, saving some labor as well. While the lie might not be the best, our hope is that you will at least be able to find your ball.......