Mid winter aeration?

During the past two months we had 3.62 inches of rain in December and 3.08 inches in January for a total of 6.62 inches. That may seem like a lot, but nothing compared to the 16.68 inches that fell during October and November. The golf course has been so dry this week that we have been driving carts on fairways and even been out mowing the rough. The firm fairway conditions provided us with an opportunity to aerate and sand some wet areas that need extra attention.

The photo above is of the approach to #1 green. This area had some bad drainage (which has been repaired) but the turf is thatchy and needed to be aerated to get the water to move off the surface. We went out Tuesday and sanded them first then aerated over the top and pushed the sand into the soil profile.

#5 right rough, twenty yards short of the green.

 #1 fairway on the left side across from the 150 yard marker.

#18 fairway, 120 yards from the green.

#7 approach just short of the green.

All of these areas are places that are very much in play and many shots are hit from them. Later this winter/early spring we will get out again and repeat the process so this summer the areas will be firm and dry.

Steve Kealy

Golf Course Superintendent