2012 Aeration Trial #'s 2 & 3

We finished our last two methods of aeration today on the practice greens.  Both were punched with the 3/8" deep tine first and then we core aerated them using two different size tines.  One was core aerated with 1/4" cores with 1" spacing.  The other was punched with both 1/4" and 3/8" coring tines.

The latter was actually our mechanics idea.  Using the ten tine block, Rodolfo placed 5 - 3/8" tines in one row and 5 - 1/4" tines in the other row.  The spacing was more or less 1" between the holes.  The result was a bunch of small holes that were nearly all filled.

In summary, the aeration procedure is as follows:

- Fertilize 5 days prior
- Deep water 3 days prior
- Deep tine 3/8" x 8" on 1.5" x 2" spacing
- Core aerate with combo of 3/8" and 1/4" coring tines
- Clean cores
- Roll, roll, & roll
- Topdress
- Drag one time with brush
- Roll again
- Blow the sand around to fill holes
- Roll, roll, & roll again
- fertilize and water

It is a long process, but I feel we are getting everything we need out of the aeration while providing a quality end product.  I hope you enjoy it as well!  The fun begins Tuesday, August 7th.

Freckles

When you putt or chip on the two practice greens close to the snackbar you will notice a bunch of bleached marks that make the green appear to be freckled.  That is actually fertilizer burn.  We were not able to get enough water down after applying ammonium sulfate to prevent burning.  

This is our pre-fertilizer to aerification of the two practice greens next week.  The greens will recover and will look much better when they have holes in them.  

Bunkers on the Nines

Notice old bunker sand on  left

Surprisingly I had a lot of questions this past week regarding the status of the bunkers on 9 Lake and 9 Canyon.  Had I realized how many people were excited to have the pleasure to play bunker shots from the new bunkers I may have opened them earlier.  I just assumed everybody liked the nearest point of relief with ground under repair.

9 Lake took 125 tons of sand!

I'm glad to say that they are now open for your bunker hitting pleasure.  As a reminder, with any bunker, please do not exit from the steepest portion of the bunker face.  This pushes all the sand down and also pushes the bunker edge down over time.  The bunkers will also play softer than others because of the new sand so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a fried egg or two.  Enjoy!

2012 Aeration Trial #1

This past week we aerated two of our practice greens to determine what method is going to be used on the course this year (August 6th for those that are interested).  The objectives that I am hoping to achieve are to reduce thatch and break up a pan layer that has developed.  A pan layer is a hard layer that shows up just below the depth of which we typically core aerate.  Not uncommon, but somewhat surprising considering we do utilize a deep tine aerator.

The first method done on the BBQ putting green was 3/8" hollow coring tines on 1.5"x1.5" spacing.  This removes a lot of thatch and the holes are then back-filled with sand increasing drainage.  This doesn't address the pan layer, but that could possibly be addressed by additional deep tine aerations throughout the season which is not disruptive to play.

The second method tried was on the East Putter where we applied 3/8" of sand first and then used the deep tine aerator to punch 3/8" holes with a solid tine on 1.75"x2.0" spacing by a depth of 8 inches.  This gives us big drainage channels that get through the pan layer and by applying the sand first, we aren't left with any tire ruts that the sand topdresser typically leaves behind.  While this method doesn't physically remove any thatch, we are diluting it.

Next week we will try another method where we do the 3/8" deep tine followed by a 1/4" hollow tine core and then followed by sand.  An all-in-one cultivation event!  The reason for all of the different methods is so I get what I want from aeration and I provide the least impact to you, the customer.

If you are a superintendent reading this, please chime in with your thoughts on core vs. no core.  It is an interesting subject.  I can be reached at bboyer@cinnabarhills.com or hit me on twitter; @bboyer925.

Another Rescue Owl at Cinnabar Hills

Last week Sunday I received an email from Lee Pauser that stated we were going to be the lucky recipients of another rescue barn owl.  The owl was found in San Jose nested in a palm tree.

The day Lee brought the young owlet, I was asked if I would place the owlet in the box while Lee took pictures.  I wasn't prepared for that, but turned out to be pretty cool considering I grew up hating birds.

The owlet was placed in a box with three other young owlets between holes 1 lake and 5 mountain tee.  The idea being that the mother and father would continue to bring food.  I thought we may have a barn owl fight club on our hands, but I am happy to report that all of the owls are doing well after the first week.

You can watch a quick video of me placing the owlet in the box here.