Monday we begin aerification on the fairways. Weather permitting of course, which means if it rains or snows (I guess) we will not aerify that day and push it to the next dry day.
Aerification is a very important practice to maintain optimum conditions for a golf course. Some of the benefits of aerification are oxygen exchange and water penetration into the root zone to promote photosynthesis and plant health. It also allows us to relieve compaction and rid thatch that can build up at the surface. Excessive thatch creates a too-soft of a playing surface and it prevents nutrients and water getting to the root systems. Aerification also allows us to topdress with sand to dilute thatch, fill in divots and other imperfections in the fairway for a smoother roll.
The following is the schedule for fairways :
Monday, Sept. 21st: 10 & 18
Tuesday, Sept. 22nd: 11 & 16
Wednesday, Sept. 23rd: 12 & 17
Thursday, Sept. 24th: 13 & 14
Monday, Sept. 28th: 1 & 9
Tuesday, Sept 29th: 2, 7 & 8
Wednesday, Sept 30th: 6
Thursday, Oct 1st: 4 & 5
(#10 will play as the first hole during front nine aerification)
The process of aerification consists of hollow tine cores with a diameter of 5/8ths of an inch at about a 2" x 4" spacing throughout the entire fairway and intermediate cut. The cores are left to dry and then are broken up with pull-behind mats to separate the soil from thatch and plant tissue. The soil can return to the open holes while the plant material remains on the surface. Finally a blower is used to scatter debris into the rough areas. Some of that material is collected and removed off-site. It can take up to 5-6 hours to finish two fairways in one day.
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