Fairways, Approaches, and Seeding

If you have been to Wilmette Golf Club in the past week or so, you know there has been a hub of activity. Greens have been aerified and we have been punching holes and aerifying the other surfaces on the golf course as well. In conjunction with aerifying we have continued to seed portions of the golf course that were affected by the hot and brutal summer. 

We are very pleased with the seeding process and have gotten very good Kentucky Bluegrass establishment in all the areas that have been seeded, and are still waiting for growth on the areas that were seeded most recently. 

As the Kentucky Bluegrass continues to grow, we will continue to aerify and punch holes aiding in lateral growth and density. 

Also as part of this process we have begun to mow down the rough that borders the greens. We are doing this so that we  have a Kentucky Bluegrass collar. These new collars will have a seamless transition into the existing approaches. These future collars will eventually become mowed at the same height as the approaches. This process will make future mowing and maintenance of these areas easier, and we feel it helps frame the green and give a more refined definition.  

Golf Course Superintendent 

Nick Marfise 

Greens Aerification September 25th and 26th

It is that time of year where most golf courses undergo their greens aerification process. It is a shame because as fall approaches and the golf course recovers from the summer, playing conditions become optimal.

Unfortunately this process is a necessary evil as we continue to not only protect our greens investment but improve the playing conditions for the future.

Aerification allows us the ability to alleviate soil compaction, increase air and water pore space, and continue to dilute unwanted organic matter in the top layer of our greens. All of these elements create better play-ability and a healthier green long term.

Our greens aerification process has been dramatically improved, compared to practices done in the past. There are no longer piles of dirt, or cores left on the greens surface. Every core is cleaned as we go and we will be sure to leave the greens ready for golf as we finish.

First the Green is heavily topdressed with sand.

The aerifier then goes across the green, punching holes and pulling the soil cores.

The device on the back of the machine pulls the cores allowing for easy cleanup.

We are left with clean aerification holes and a green covered in sand.

The sand is then brushed and the green is rolled, this is the finished product.  

Additional information about aeration can be found by copying and pasteing this link for the USGA website into your web browser. 

http://www.usga.org/course-care/forethegolfer/why-do-golf-courses-aerate-so-much-.html

Thank you, 

Golf Course Superintendent 

Nick Marfise