Summer Greens Aerification

July is by far our busiest time of the year and that leaves us little opportunity to do the agronomic programs necessary to keep our greens in top shape.  However, this week we were finally able to take the opportunity to aerate the greens.  With all the wet weather, the greens were beginning to seal off at the surface and water could not penetrate the surface and decomposition gases could not escape from the root zone.

To aerate the greens we used our SISIS Aer-Aid aerifiers.  This is a specialized aerifier manufactured in England that can not only punch holes in the soil but also inject air into the root zone.  Every other tine on the machine is hollow and connected to a high capacity air compressor.  When the tine is injected into the soil, air is forced out of two ports on either side of the tine.  The air injection is huge bonus over standard solid tine aerification in that the oxygen that is injected displaces the harmful decomposition gases in addition to stimulating root growth.

This type of aerification does a great job at reducing compaction, improving root growth, and at providing gaseous exchange but it does little to reduce thatch.  However, the impact to the greens is minimal and the greens are playable immediately after aerification. 

Highlands Falls Yacht Club

Okay, this has absolutely nothing to do with the golf course per say, but it is another example of how we utilize the course for member enjoyment and its just plain cool!  The Highlands Falls Yacht Club has formed and will meet every Monday from 9 am to 10:30 am at the lake between #8 and #9.  Anyone that wants to participate or that is interested in operating remote controlled boats is welcome and encouraged to come by.  The group is growing and is already the LARGEST Yacht Club in Highlands!

Here are some pics from this weeks gathering.

Bug Spray Disease

  We are in the busiest part of our season and several of our greens in addition to the croquet lawn have come down with a bad case of "Bug Spray Disease".  Once this disease occurs there is very little we can do to help the turf, it may live or it may die but only time will tell.  There is no cure other than prevention!

"Bug Spray Disease" is easily identified by the footprints. 

A large "diseased" area on the croquet lawn.

  All kidding aside, "Bug Spray Disease" is caused when you apply bug repellents and sunscreen to your legs when standing on turf.  It is especially damaging on low mowed turf such as the greens and the croquet lawn.  The alcohol and propellants in the sprays in addition to products containing DEET, are very damaging to the turf and injury is caused immediately.  Depending on the conditions and the amount of over spray, the turf may recover in 1-4 weeks.  In extreme cases though, the turf will die and the area will have to be seeded or sodded.

The DEET in many bug sprays is known to cause damage to turf.

The 19th green.

Close-up of the croquet lawn.

  Please be aware that bug sprays and sunscreen sprays are very damaging to the turf.  The simple solution to this "disease" is prevention and to spray these products in the parking lot, on the cart path, or any other non-turf surface where the over spray will not contact the grass.  Please help us care for your course and tell a friend about the dreaded "Bug Spray Disease".

Pot of Gold?

Maybe not a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, but it is Highlands Falls!  Despite a lot of rain, we were fortunate to finish a Highlands Falls July 4th tradition, the painting of the American Flag!  And with a small break in the weather, this wonderful rainbow appeared.  Have a great July 4th!

Nothing says summer like July 4th at HFCC!