Audubon International Re-Certification

Native area between 5 green and 6 tee

Native area behind 11 green

 This summer The Vail Golf Club earned our re-certification with Audubon International which began for us in 1998.  The Audubon helps golf courses to protect and enhance the natural environment that exist on golf courses. Some of the things we are incorporating now are additions of more native rough that is out of play to reduce mowing and water use.  With this we have turned off 8 irrigation heads and reduced the coverage of 4 more. Look for more areas like this to pop up as we continue to assess other possible areas. We also have added two wildflower beds and plan seeding more into native areas to help honey bee population and aesthetics of the areas. Certification helps us continue to improve on our standard environmental practices.  Making the golf course a great place to play and enjoy nature.

Turnaround at 17 green 

Wild  flowers starting to bloom in turnaround

Solid Tine Aeration

This week we aerated the greens with an X-tine.  In the past we've used a 1/8' solid needle tine but have changed it up this week.  The X-tine creates a larger hole but doesn't cause any more disturbance in the putting surface.  The holes created helps relieve compaction, allow water to percolate down into the soil, and provide better air movement around the roots.  All which helps the turf remain healthy and maintain a good putting surface.  We will be following up with a light topdressing on Thursday.  By Friday the holes should be non-existent.