Coquina Waste Bunkers

David Dore-Smith, Copperleaf Golf Club, Bonita Springs, FL:

"Without question we have experienced an extremely busy golfing season over the past few months. The amount of play and golf cart traffic have had a negative impact on our Coquina (shell) waste bunkers through compaction. Although the waste bunkers are raked twice weekly, the excessive compaction is not allowing our raking machines to penetrate down into the aggregate. The hardened surface has been proving difficult to hit from for all levels of golfers.

To address the situation, we rented a self propelled roto-tilling machine to penetrate down three inches and soften the material. Once the sand material was cultivated, one of our bunker raking machines, using a mid mounted scarifying attachment was used to smooth the surface. The end result was a much softer and forgiving playing surface for all. As an added bonus, the deep orange color of the Coquina shell was returned providing a great contrast between it and the dark green turf.

The Green and Grounds Committee is always listening to member feedback and continues to look for ways to improve the golfing experience for all members. This summer, several Coquina areas will be reduced in size without affecting the integrity of the golf course."

Visit David's blog at www.copperleafgcm.com

Brushing the Greens

Steve Hammon, Traverse City Golf & Country Club, Traverse City, MI:

"We brushed the greens this morning which helps stand up the bentgrass that tends to lay over, especially when it is humid. We mow the greens as usual after they are brushed and we get a ton of grass off of them. This really helps create a true and smooth surface. We will do this again on Wednesday in preparation of the club championship. We roll our greens seven days a week to keep the green speed above 10'4"."

Visit Steve's blog at tcgccgrounds.blogspot.com.

What can "brown" do for us?

Jason Hooper, Quilchena Golf & Country Club, Quilchena, British Columbia:

"If you've played Quilchena over the past few weeks you'll notice that the soft and lush dark green turf conditions of the spring are now transforming into the firm and fast conditions that golfers crave. What I find funny though is that just as much as golfers love the extra 30 yards of roll on their drive and the more consistently fast green speed, many are still so reluctant to accept that 'brown is good'. Unless we were to use pigments to artificially colour our browning turf green, then you simply cannot expect to have fast and firm conditions on a daily basis without accepting brown turf. It truly is that simple.

I am often asked, 'Why do our drainage lines brown out so quickly when we experience dry weather conditions? Can't we hand-water them to keep them from doing so?' How long do you think it would take to hand-water the drainage lines on the fairway pictured (above right)?

"The good thing is that the brown drainage lines are excellent indicators of just how good our drainage system is..."

Also, one would go absolutely crazy attempting to keep a drainage line that is filled with 100% sand moist enough to not turn brown. It's simply not possible in the summer months. The good thing is that the brown drainage lines are excellent indicators of just how good our drainage system is. It's these drainage lines that keep our fairways dry and firm all winter long. Heck, I can count on one hand how many times we had to keep carts on paths last winter because of soft fairway conditions. Not too shabby considering how much rain we had!

I guess the bottom line is to expect to see a whole lot more brown as the summer progresses and continue to expect fast and firm conditions that come along with it. For those of you who enjoy a softer and lush green golf course, don't worry... the rainy season will be here before you know it!

Here are a few other benefits of brown turf:

• less moisture = less susceptible to disease

"reduced irrigation saves $$$ — irrigation systems require lots of power to operate and water is not cheap..."

• reduced irrigation saves $$$ - irrigation systems require lots of power to operate and water is not cheap
• less water use = being environmentally responsible
• reduced growth requires less mowing which allows us to focus on projects and 'detail work'
• less mowing requires less fuel, also a significant cost savings
• better turf quality and overall playability (again, enjoy that extra 30 yards of roll!)

There are certainly other benefits I haven't listed, but I think you probably get my point... BROWN IS GOOD!!!"

Visit Jason's blog at qgolfclub.blogspot.com.

2012 Aeration Trial #1

Brian Boyer, Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, San Jose, CA:

"This past week we aerated two of our practice greens to determine what method is going to be used on the course this year (August 6th for those that are interested). The objectives that I am hoping to achieve are to reduce thatch and break up a pan layer that has developed. A pan layer is a hard layer that shows up just below the depth of which we typically core aerate. Not uncommon, but somewhat surprising considering we do utilize a deep tine aerator.

The first method done on the BBQ putting green was 3/8" hollow coring tines on 1.5"x1.5" spacing. This removes a lot of thatch and the holes are then back-filled with sand increasing drainage. This doesn't address the pan layer, but that could possibly be addressed by additional deep tine aerations throughout the season which is not disruptive to play.

"Next week we will try another method where we do the 3/8" deep tine followed by a 1/4" hollow tine core and then followed by sand. An all-in-one cultivation event!"

The second method tried was on the East Putter where we applied 3/8" of sand first and then used the deep tine aerator to punch 3/8" holes with a solid tine on 1.75"x2.0" spacing by a depth of 8 inches. This gives us big drainage channels that get through the pan layer and by applying the sand first, we aren't left with any tire ruts that the sand topdresser typically leaves behind. While this method doesn't physically remove any thatch, we are diluting it.

Next week we will try another method where we do the 3/8" deep tine followed by a 1/4" hollow tine core and then followed by sand. An all-in-one cultivation event! The reason for all of the different methods is so I get what I want from aeration and I provide the least impact to you, the customer.

If you are a superintendent reading this, please chime in with your thoughts on core vs. no core. It is an interesting subject. I can be reached at bboyer@cinnabarhills.com or hit me on Twitter @bboyer925."

Visit Brian's blog at cinnabarhills.blogspot.

First Cut

Joel Purpur, Park Ridge Country Club, Park Ridge, IL:

"Earlier this week we cut the 007 portion of the nursery for the first time. We used our Toro triplex set at .450". Mowing the turf will help it tiller (spread) into the thinner areas. We also put some more seed down in the thinner areas and they are already germinating nicely. We will continue to fertilize and keep a close eye on the nursery as it is in such a young stage."

Visit Joel's blog at parkridgeccgrounds.blogspot.com.

The Hanging Foot

Rick Tegtmeier, CGCS, Des Moines (IA) Golf & Country Club:

"One of my biggest pet peeves is someone driving a golf cart and have their left leg and foot hanging outside the cart. I still catch myself doing it and it is a huge safety problem. When I was younger I caught my foot and it twisted my ankle very badly. Trouble is we all do it and you see golfers doing it every day.

I am very sorry about the graphic nature of the photo but it really demonstrates how bad this can be if you do get your foot caught under the cart.

This did not happen at here Des Moines Golf and Country Club. This accident happened at a club in Illinois and the superintendent sent the photo to me. Their bar cart girl was driving the bar cart around the golf course one afternoon and had her foot dangling off the side. She went over a hill and it got caught under the cart. You can see the damage that happened instantly. Not pretty at all, but she will have a complete recovery. It is just very unfortunate."

Visit Rick's blog at dmgcc.blogspot.com

A nice edge...

Craig DeJong, Hendersonville Country Club, Hendersonville, NC:

"The work that we did this spring around the golf course is really looking great. The weather has been perfect for maturing all of the sod that was put down. We have inherited some additional detail work, which is o.k. A major goal of ours is protecting the investment of the club.

One item is keeping the definition of turf between the greens and the collars.

The greens are poa annua/bentgrass and the collars are bermudagrass. The bermudagrass can begin to creep and contaminate the greens if we do not suppress it. Now is the time of the year that we can do this mechanically, and in the spring and fall we will use chemical measures. A stick edger is being used to cut the stolons of the bermuda before it tacks down. During the active growing season this practice is performed monthly."

Visit Craig's blog at hccgcgd.blogspot.com.