Well we were able to finish up greens aerification on Weiskopf this week.  I know this is an unpopular cultural practice, but it is one that is necessary.  We were able to remove approximately 12% of the material from the greens.  We topdressed with a 70/30 blend of USGA Spec sand and Dakota Peat.  This peat is a very important component.  Peat allows the greens to have something in the profile to hold on to water and nutrients.  Because the Weiskopf greens are still relatively new and young, it is important for us to use as much "Organic" fertilizers and amendments as possible.  Again, the reason for this is to build active biology in the upper rootzone which will allow us to hold more moisture and nutrients.  Straight sand flushes both of these things below the rootzone giving you a green that percolates at a super high rate and also always give the appearance of hungry.  So what does all this Geek Grass talk mean.  Our philosophy of greens nutrition and water management will be all about building the active biology and retaining water.  What does this mean for you?  More consistent putting surfaces with a healthy plant. 

We are making our way through repairing all Weiskopf collars.  Thank you for your patience as we must close the hole we are working to expedite this process.  We are removing all areas that are thin or slow to recover from the winter as well as lowering some areas to allow water to properly sheet flow off these greens.  Water standing on greens after heavy irrigation or a rain event is begging for disease or thin turf.  If the collar is higher than the green on an exit point, this is called a collar dam.  We will work very diligently to remove all collar dams and repair these areas as quickly as we can.  I think you will be much happier with the finished product.

Miller greens were cut for the first time since sprigging.  It has been 2 weeks and we put our first cut on all holes except New Putting Green, #4, and #13.  These greens were planted a week later so I would anticipate cutting all greens by next Friday.  Overall the Miller course is progressing right along.  Under the direction of Scott Miller, our fairway contours have changed significantly.  Next time you drive out there you will notice how much wider and longer they have become.  It is an interesting look for sure.  Our biggest project that we will work on the week of June 26th is root pruning.  The beautiful majestic pines are beautiful but their root zone extends way out into our turf robbing nutrients from the grass.  As you may have guessed I am a grass guy, so I want all nutrients applied to our grass to be for the grass.  We will prune all areas around Miller and Grand Pines.  I hope you find this blog informative, if there is anything you would ever want to ask, please feel free to email me at dlatham@bentwaterclub.com or post a comment and I will do my best to answer.  Thank you all for being a member!

Donny Latham