Course Update

About the time I start thinking that fall is really here, we end up with another 90 degree day! Cool mornings have been nice but we continue to remain hot and dry.  Looks like Saturday may offer some relief.

The last couple of weeks have been busy on the golf course.  Similar to the spring, we have several things that need to get done in a short amount of time.  At the top of the list was greens aerification.  The solid tine, deep tine aerification has become the norm for us during fall aerification.  Great results, without the threat of greens not healing in before they shut down for the winter.  During this time we worked in an aggressive verticut and heavy topdressing.  As always with aerification, temporary headache for long term benefits.

Deep tine aerifier in action on Greens.

Along with greens aerification, we have also aerified all of the primary rough (approximately 40 acres) with our recently purchased Toro 1298 Aerifier.  This machine has been unbelievable.  We have not been as consistent with our fairway and rough aerification in past years.  With this new machine, I actually look forward to punching holes. Following aerification, we are working our way through seeding all of the rough throughout the course with Turf Type Tall Fescue.  Rough is a little beat up following these
practices.  Should see recovery over the next couple of weeks.

Aerifying rough with the Toro 1298.

Not to be left out, the Zoysia has seen its share of attention as well.  We start off with an application of 5-10-31.  A little Nitrogen and Iron for fall color, but we are mostly after the Potassium to help prepare the plant for the stresses of winter.  Along with the fertilizer, we are also applying one last application of products to help eliminate any Bermuda contamination.  And finally, we apply our preemergent to keep the weeds out over the winter (Poa annua is the main target) and last but not least is a fungicide application to prevent Large Patch of Zoysia in the spring.  Zoysia is an ideal turf for our area, however, it still has its fair share of inputs.

Heading into the weekend, we are hoping to see some rain.  For as wet as we were early in the season, we are equally as dry heading into fall.  Funny how weather never works out exactly the way you want it to!