Fairway topdressing was performed yesterday on 5, 14, and 15 fairways.  17 fairway remains, and we will be wrapping up this project on Tuesday, April 27th.  We contracted the spreading of the sand through Hartmann Companies out of Victoria, MN. 

Approximately 40 ton per acre of sand was applied, and this was immediately followed by a solid tine aeration to allow the sand to work into the upper portion of the soil / turf canopy. 

The fairway topdressing program was initiated on these holes due to very soft conditions that are the result of excessive thatch.  By diluting the thatch with sand and getting air into the soil, we will begin the process of reducing the thatch and firming up the surfaces.  We will also be combining this practice with subsurface drainage installations, which will help dry these areas down and firm them up.  While the above fairways will be 'sandy' for a few days, the long term effect will be well-received.  This is just the beginning of our program, and with continued bi-annual or tri-annual sand applications, the lower holes will show very good results after a couple of seasons. 

The Challenges of Bent / Poa Greens in Early Spring

Not exactly the prettiest of photos, but this is very common right now on certain areas of our greens...the struggles of dealing with a mixed stand of grass on a putting surface early in the season! 

This photo is a section from #8 green.  Two different types of turf are apparent here:  the dark green color is bentgrass, and the light green color is poa annua.

The challenge associated with managing two different grass types has to do with their growth patterns.  On our greens, the bentgrass will exhibit growth earlier than the poa.  As the bent begins growth, the poa still hangs tight and gets itself geared up for warmer weather and moisture.  The overall result is bumpy greens early in the season.  As temperatures climb and spring rains move in, the growth rates equal out and we are able to manipulate smooth putting surfaces once again.

So how long will it take?  Aggressive growth of the greens arrives about the same time as when the trees are pushing leaves and home lawns need regular maintenance, i.e. mowing.  Right now, we have seen a nice 'green up' on all areas of the golf course, but true growth will come as we move further into the spring.  Again, moisture and improved soil temperatures play a major role in creating putting surfaces that roll true. 

Why not promote only the bentgrass, as this grass seems to exhibit more desirable traits?  We are moving into our second season of a bentgrass conversion program, and thus far I am very impressed with the results.  Proper cultural practices will continue to shift our stand of grass toward the predominace of bentgrass.  I am confident that our surfaces will only continue to improve.