Project Update!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper! Today is Friday, September 17th and much has happened in the last ten days so let's get you updated!

First off was putting green aerification. On Sep 7 we punched over 6.7 million holes removing a 1/2 inch diameter core spaced two inches apart.  This impacted approximately 12% of the total surface area based on the outside diameter of our hollow tines.  After the greens were removed of cores, they were blown free of lingering debris and rolled 2 times to firm the surface.  

The following day we applied two soil amendments, topdressed all twenty-two surfaces with over 60 tons of kiln dried sand and then brushed into the holes.  The day after we performed a light vertical mowing to help incorporate and distribute the sand more evenly across the putting surfaces.  The greens were then rolled each day to smooth out tire marks caused from the topdresser and utility vehicle with tow-behind brush.

Monday all greens were treated with wetting agent and we began mowing at an adjusted height of cut. This weekend we will begin stepping the height of cut back down and should be back to normal sometime next week.

Hollow Core Aerification

Light Vertical Mowing

Finished Product

But let's not kid ourselves, I know you're not here to hear about the aerification. You want to know about the installation of the Capillary Bunkers on holes 1 and 2.  The team from Golf Course Services wasted no time on Sep 7 taking advantage of the closed golf course and getting the ball rolling.  The process for this project is to remove the existing turf surrounding the bunkers in order to recapture the original contours of the bunker cavity.  Holes 1 and 2 were first built in 2005 and opened for play in 2006 so we are talking about 15 years of sand buildup on the faces and surrounds.

Sand Buildup

Recovering Original Contours

The old bunker sand was removed and stockpiled to be used as fairway topdressing in the future.  The drain lines removed and inspected, and reinstalled with clean gravel.  New sod installed on the slopes and the bunker is now ready for the liner.

Inspecting Drainage

Ready for Liner

The porous concrete liner requires all hands on deck to quickly transport the material from the concrete truck to the bunker and spread to the proper two-inch depth.  The surface is rolled to firm any loose material on top and then the bunker is covered with plastic overnight.  

Installing Capillary Concrete

Ensuring Correct Depth

Ready to Cure

The following day the plastic is removed and new G-Angle sand installed. The sand will be plate tamped and the bunkers ready for play soon.  So far we have kept holes 1 and 2 closed for the majority of this project and I truly appreciate your patience and cooperation.  It is far more efficient and safer for all parties involved to work without interruption.  

New Sand

When the holes do reopen we will mark the bunkers as Ground Under Repair in order to preserve and protect the recent work.  Please do not walk into or out of the new bunkers when possible and use the long handled rakes provided to retrieve your ball and enjoy a free drop.

See you on the course,

Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG