University Park Country Club Golf Maintenance Department

  Updates from around the club:

Working on the Mid Nine!

The Mid Nine (10-18) is closed until the 13th of July. Again the crew has been working extremely hard on completely the summer cultural practices. 

Below is another brief rundown and description of what has taken place on the Mid Nine. We did not go as aggressive on the mid collars because we did go aggressive on the mid collars a few years ago. 

We have verticut all the tees, collars, approaches and fairways, blowing and vacuuming any and all debris or clippings generated by this process. Followed by a circle mowing (this cuts/attacks the stand of turf from several different angles. Once this was completed we began the aeration process, we aerated wall to wall, the entire course. We use metal drag mats to break the course up separating the thatch from the "good" soil. We then completed the process by blowing and vacuuming up the remaining debris and thatch. This material is hauled off to a composting facility where it will be recycled  and used in a compost blend

Videos and Pictures:

Vacuuming up the clippings.

The process of unloading clippings to be hauled out to powerline.

Fairway Mower circle cutting the fairways after we raked them.

Definitions and descriptions:

 AERATION

We aerate to improve the health and quality of the turf. Aeration involves perforating (punching holes) in the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil, which promotes deeper root growth and a healthier turf. Additional benefits from this process are below:

 1. Relieve soil compaction: Over time, the soil on golf courses can become compacted due to heavy traffic from golfers and maintenance equipment. Aeration helps to relieve soil compaction by creating small holes in the soil, which allows air and water to circulate more freely.

 2. Improve drainage: Aeration can improve drainage by creating channels for water to flow through the soil and reach the roots more easily. This can help prevent water from pooling on the surface and causing damage to the turf.

3. Increase nutrient uptake: Aeration can increase the uptake of nutrients by the turf by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the soil. This can help promote healthier growth and better resistance to disease and pests.

4. Reduce thatch buildup: Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic material that accumulates on the surface of the soil. Aeration can help reduce thatch buildup by creating channels for it to break down and decompose more quickly.

Overall, aeration is an important part of maintaining a healthy and high-quality turf on golf courses. It helps to promote deeper root growth, better drainage, and improved nutrient uptake, which can lead to a more resilient and attractive playing surface.

VERTICUTTING
(aka Vertical mowing)

We verticut to improve turfgrass health and appearance. Verticutting is a process that involves cutting small vertical grooves or slits in the turfgrass using specialized equipment. Below are a few of the reason we do this.

1. Thatch removal: Verticutting is an effective way to remove thatch from the turfgrass. Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic material that accumulates on the surface of the soil. If left unchecked, thatch can create a barrier that prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of the turfgrass.

2. Improve nutrient uptake: Verticutting can improve the uptake of nutrients by the turfgrass by cutting the surface roots and allowing nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. This can help promote healthier growth and better resistance to disease and pests.

 3. Improve water penetration: Verticutting can improve water penetration by creating channels for water to flow through the soil and reach the roots more easily. This can help prevent water from pooling on the surface and causing damage to the turfgrass.

 4. Enhance appearance: Verticutting can enhance the appearance of the turfgrass by creating a uniform, smooth surface. This can help improve playability and provide a more attractive playing surface for golfers. (initially the appearance is very unpleasant but as the turf recovers it provides a smooth highly playable surface.)

Overall, verticutting is an important part of maintaining a healthy and high-quality turfgrass on golf courses. It helps to promote deeper root growth, better nutrient uptake, and improved water penetration, which can lead to a more resilient and attractive playing surface