Dear Members,

We chose a week with horrendous weather to aerate greens!

The actual process of solid tine aeration was completed this morning. (Thursday) However, we still need to topdress greens, double aerate collars and add fertilizer products. These procedures will be done next week. Greens may be a little bumpy until they heal over and warmer weather will help!

A few green edges (weak areas) of greens were chewed up by aerators, especially #14. We are repairing these now and will continue until complete.

Greens’ speed was aided this spring because of four chemical applications to prevent Poa annua seedheads from appearing during May and June. These applications also slow the growth of greens’ turf, and provide fast green speeds for golfers. 2016 is the first time we’ve applied these growth regulators since 2013 because turfgrass wasn’t strong enough in 2014 and 2015 after those severe winters.

Next week, we will aerate and overseed old areas of cartpaths that were sodded over a few years ago. This sod has thinned out since the original planting.

Wall to wall crabgrass herbicides have been applied. Broadleaf weed control has begun, but the rainy week has stopped our progress for now. An insecticide will be applied within the next few days to control annual bluegrass weevil adults, the first of three or four applications to control this persistent turf munching pest.

Thanks to many members for the many kind comments about golf course conditions this spring. Thanks also to our hard working crews whose efforts we all enjoy!

And always, if anyone has any questions about our operation, we are always happy to explain any aspect of golf course maintenance. Feel free to email me at patrickgertner@potowomut.com.

Hope to see everyone soon…..and feel free to bring some sun with you!

Patrick Gertner CGCS