One of the challenges that all superintendents face is figuring out how to provide high quality playing conditions with minimal disruption from maintenance practices. This can be quite a quandary at times, because these two ideas go hand in hand - a smooth, firm surface is the result of the maintenance practices implemented by the golf course management team. An example that sticks out in my mind is the management practices that we have been implementing on the tees and approaches. An aggressive sand topdressing to these surfaces ( approaches in particular ) is met with golfer disappointment and frustration, as the topdressing temporarily disrupts the normal playability of these areas.
In order to address this problem, acouple of different steps will be implemented in 2010. First, we will look to topdress the tees and approaches at two different points during the season, namely late spring and early fall. Next, the amount of sand applied will be reduced in order to promote quick recovery and return the surfaces to their normal playability. Third, our mechanic, Jeff Lyons, has engineered a brush that attaches to our walk mowers for brushing the sand into the turf canopy. The benefiit of this technology allows us to simultaneously brush and roll the tees and approaches , thus creating a smooth surface that will recover in a relatively short amount of time. Couple this with a fertility application to allow the grass to aggressively grow through the topdressing, and we are left with a firm, smooth surface that is receptive to either putting or pitching from the approaches.
