2018 Spring Aeration

Today we are putting the final touches on our 2018 spring aeration. Originally scheduled for March 19th - March 26th, our aeration was extended through March 28th. The golf course officially reopened today.

Before I spend time on the actual process, I want to thank our club membership and leadership for the 2-day extension. The week prior, we received an inch of rain on Tuesday and several inches of snow on Wednesday. Couple the precipitation with frigid nights that were setting up long frost delays and we could not have accomplished what was accomplished without our club's support and patience. So, on behalf of our maintenance team, Thank You!

Our spring aeration has become the bedrock for our agronomic plans each season. We use this time to disturb a tremendous amount of turf. The timing of our spring aeration works well because the weather is conducive to aggressive practices without collateral injury and golf levels are generally very low so our membership experiences minimal discomfort.

Generally, I walk through each turf area (green, tee, fairway, etc.) and explain what we do and how we do it. This summary will still cover our putting surfaces, but focus more on the level of general topdressing across the property.

Our greens are first topdressed with a sizable layer of USGA spec putting green sand. This season, we were able to apply just over 1200 lbs. of sand for every 1000 square feet of surface. Once the sand is applied, our greens are deep tined with 1/2" diameter tines to a depth of 7". These holes are drilled in on 2" x 2" spacing. These deep tines not only create deep and sustainable channels for advantageous spring rooting, but fracture the soil as they move up and down. Following the deep tine, the greens are aerated with 1/2" diameter coring tines to a depth of 2.5" and a spacing of 2" x 2". Following this aeration, the same machine with the same specs makes a second pass at an alternate angle. Once the cores have dried, they are broomed to the perimeter of the green for removal. Following a second blowing, the greens are swept in three different directions to assure that all of the holes and channels are full with clean fresh sand. After the sweeping, the greens are rolled three separate times and then fertilized and watered. The first morning of re-opening, we mow the greens for the first time and we are off and going! 

This is what the finished product looks like. Many holes filled with sand. According to the ISTRC displacement chart, we displace about 15% of our surface area. Considering that the USGA recommends 20% displacement for the whole season, we accomplish 75% of that goal in one aeration. 

There is no question that this is an invasive and aggressive aeration. Yet, we are not only passionate about it, but extremely excited about what it does for our turf. 

As greens mature, the sandy profile that is full of air porosity, infiltration and percolation begins to "slow down" as naturally occurring organic bio-mass begins to accumulate. Simply put, as the profile matures, the plant's ability to breathe is reduced. The screenshot below, shows some data work we did on our 5th green. 

But the maturity of the profile is not all bad. In fact, as the profile matures, its' ability to retain moisture and nutrients increases. Plants need food and water to survive, but they also need oxygen. So the best case scenario is a soil that drains and breathes like sand, but retains nutrients and water like top-soil. 

To achieve this mythical balance, cultural processes can bridge the gap. By removing piles, literally, of old stagnate profile and replacing it with clean fresh sand, we can achieve the best of both worlds. We can maintain a profile that breathes, while still retaining nutrients and water. 

The profile shot above was taken from our 9th green. In the photo you can see the darker material and the lighter channels streaking about. These lighter channels represent the clean channels that are created through topdressing and aeration. Furthermore, if you look closely at the canopy, you can see the topdressing layer that is responsible for thatch suppression, smoothness and firmness. 

Although not as aggressive, our fairways tees and approaches were verti-cut, deep tined and topdressed. This time around, we spread over 2,000,000 pounds of sand. So while it is sandy now, the dividends for the future will be immeasurable. 

Select Tree Clearing and Drainage #2 Tee Complex

The following blog was put together by one of our senior assistants, Michael Nowicki. 

 This winter we have been working on an improvement project for the right side of 1 green and 2 tee complex. Historically this is an area of the property that often struggles due to poor drainage, lack of sunlight, and poor airflow. This is one of the most difficult micro-climates at Kinloch to maintain healthy turf throughout the season.

           

 Our approach to tree management at Kinloch is very unique. We must consider the functionality of every tree i.e. is it a hazard, does it frame the hole, or is it a reference point for the golfer. Our process for removing trees starts with identifying the specimens that we must keep. Then we do a walk through with the golf course architect and select the trees that can be removed. This is a very selective process and every tree is scrutinized to ensure that we don’t change the character of the hole, but also put ourselves in the best position for agronomic success.

             

We recently applied this strategy to the right of 1 green and 2 tees. This area experienced a lack of morning sunlight and poor airflow that often resulted in turf decline. Much of the underbrush was thinned out during the project but we left the focal specimen trees that frame the area. This also opened up vistas that allow you to better view this portion of the property.

 The subsurface of 2 tees and the surrounding rough were also in need of attention. During construction a silica based sand was used to cap the tees. Silica sands hold more moisture than river or rock based sands. While this method has worked great for most of the tees at Kinloch, it holds too much water on 2 due to the aforementioned microclimate. This coupled with there being no internal drainage in these tees meant our team had to take necessary steps to remedy the problem.

               

We installed a herringbone drainage pattern in these tees. This is very similar to the drainage design of a USGA green and is the most efficient way to catch water and move it off a site.

The process begins by stripping the sod in the pattern that we want to place the drain tile. These trenches are excavated to a depth of 16 inches to provide ample space for the necessary gravel, pipe, and sand. While the trenches are being excavated we are continually checking the slope of the trench floor to ensure we have a minimum of 2 percent fall throughout the drainage network using a surveying tool known as a transit. Once we have sufficient slope to move water we cover the trench floor with 2 inches of pea gravel. Corrugated drain tile is then placed on top of the gravel and covered up with 4 more inches of gravel. Six inches of sand similar to the silica sand found in the tees is used to cap the project and is heavily compacted to ensure that we do not have any future settling. Sod is then put back and rolled for a smooth finish.

    

 Moisture management often extends beyond our irrigation system and how much water we apply. Thought must be given to the ability to move excess moisture from playing surfaces along with the sunlight and airflow needs of the turf. These projects will help us better manage moisture and provide the world class conditioning Kinloch is known for.