Aeration update many thanks.....(somewhat sappy)

Greens have been aerated twice, using conventional aeration and the dry ject method. The deep tine operation will be done this Thursday. To date, all has gone well as greens have withstood the mechanical and physical abuse.

During the season, greens showed us signs that aggressive aeration was needed this fall. The signs we observed included persistent late season anthracnose presence, increased fairy ring disease that required three expensive applications of fungicides, and the hydrophobic situation (inability to accept water) during September. These three problems told us that conditions had changed and needed to be addressed. I believe that our greens aeration program, although disruptive to golfers, is the most important factor to insure great putting surfaces for next year. Thanks to everyone for your patience and support. Let me also add that I do not believe there is a better designed aeration program than ours!!

We plan to install three new irrigation heads behind the fifth green within the next few weeks. The project will be done in house by our crews. Since trees have been removed in this area, turfgrass quality has been poor partly because of the lack of irrigation. Another factor are the oak trees and their proficiency to steal water needed by turf. Ironically, this season this area did show improvement, but we believe better quality was related to increased rainfall seen during 2009.

We have many people to thank for our wonderful year. Thanks for the support from you, the wonderful members of Potowomut, including The Board of Governors, past and future!! Thanks to Shawn Campbell, Seth Force, Dan Post-Kennedy, Donna Euell, Deb West and all fellow staff members. Also, thanks to my hard working staff, including Assistant Superintendents Dan and Steve Virgulak. Also thanks to Mechanic George Borges, Horticulturalist Dick McNamara, as well as Ron Conde, Ricardo Rangel, Chris Wynne, Kevin King, Efrain Blanco-Cruz, Scott Virgulak, Cliff Rice, Jon Navarro, Mike K., Mike Jolicour and Don Gulfoyle. You guys are the best crew I have had the pleasure to work with. Even though 2009 hasn't yet finished, I can't wait to begin working with you all again during 2010.

Also, I would be remiss not to thank and acknowledge the support of my wonderful family. Yes, I am boasting quite loudly when I tell you I have had many special days this year. Son Benjamin Shields was married to Laura Platino on July 11th, right after I was spoiled for my 50th birthday. Last week I witnessed son Zach Shields play his very first concerts to sold our audiences in Cambridge and Philadelphia after a successful launch of his band's CD. Also last week, daughter Alexandra Shields landed in Kenya to help build schools and teach AIDS awareness to vulnerable young girls, making this Dad quite proud. Daughter Zoe Gertner and I will continue our college search next week in Rhode Island as she prepares for the next chapters of her adulthood. Mom and Dad, brothers and sister Joan, and friend Barbara and her wonderful family...thanks to all!!

Thanks for bearing with me. One last thing, we will NOT thank the millions of leaves as they begin their annual migration from tree to ground next week.