Aeration Update

This week we are scheduled to aerate greens. Originally, we had planned to aerate by pulling soil cores and topdressing heavily to fill the holes. This is the process that no one likes, golfers and greens crew included. For different reasons related to both agronomics and weather, (Tuesday through Thursday forecasted rain) we are ramping down plans for the week. Beginning this morning, we are poking 6” long holes into greens using a solid blade like tine. Each green will be done twice. This process brings no soil up to greens’ surfaces and is much less invasive. Greens may be unsmooth for a few days but will heal completely by this weekend. Greens will be topdressed with sand but at a much lower rate compared to the other process.

Will the greens have less health this year because of this change? No and here’s why. A main reason we aerate is to add oxygen to soils, to let soils breathe. Aeration, whether using conventional soil pulling equipment or solid tines both provide soil oxygen. The difference between the two methods involves the amount of sand we add to the greens.

The greens aeration planned for September will be the conventional method with 25 tons of sand applied for those who miss the heavy sand accumulation. We are able to make adjustments like this and still provide excellent greens because we have been on a very diligent program of aeration and sand topdressing since my arrival to Potowomut in 2005. This persistence has given us a bit of greens health insurance!

Where is that darn bunker rake??

We are instituting a change that begins this weekend. The location of bunker rakes has been a topic of discussion among Greens Committees both last year and again this year. We think we have an easy solution to assist our many players.

Bunker rakes are to be placed on the LOW side of bunkers. Because there may be some confusion about exactly where that is, we have painted a white line on low bunker edges that designates a spot for each bunker rake. There should be no more long searches for bunker rakes as both maintenance employees and golfers will place rakes on the white lines. The white lines will hopefully keep golfers off the steepest slopes of bunkers and save the bunkers from even more decline. To play your shot, find the rake, walk into the bunker from that low side, play your shot, then rake your way out of the bunker placing the rake right back on the white line.

Thanks for everyone's help! Please email me if anyone has questions about this new bunker rake policy....and tell your playing partners too!!!