Green Aeration Program

In June and again in August, the greens are aerated with ¼” hollow tines. Many may think we “spike” the greens but we do actually pull a small plug. This is a smaller sized tine versus the late fall aeration.

The purpose of these summer aerations is to vent the greens for air and water exchange and to alleviate surface compaction during the summer months.  With the small size tines used for the process, it is not intended the holes be filled in as they are perfect for germinating bentgrass seed.

                                                         
                                        Bentgrass seedlings coming up in aerification holes

The healing time for these "light aerifications is minimal and no sand is added during the process. A verticutting process replaces a light topdressing. The verticuttiing chops up the small plugs and also brings up sand from previous topdressings. We then seed and water the greens to wash the seed (and sand) back into the holes. In 7-10 the holes will be almost (if not) closed up.

 

The summer green aerations help to insure the best, most consistent green conditions during the heat of the golf season.  Please do not confuse these aerifications with the late fall (more intensive and slower healing) green aerification.

Fall Green Aerification

The fall green aerification is more intense than what takes place during the summer months.  Larger holes are made to remove more thatch and more sand is applied to completely fill the holes (to provide a firm putting surface, better drainage and dilute the thatch layer).  Chances are the holes will not be healed going into winter.  This is fine and will help the greens during the winter and spring thaws, limiting ice and winter damage. A dormant seeding will be made to expedite the recovery of the greens (as they come out of the winter next spring). This type of aerification cannot be accomplished in as short a time as the summer aerifications.  In good weather we expect to finish three to four greens per day.  A temporary green is set up adjacent to the green(s) that are being worked on during play.

                             

                           

      

Aerating our greens with the small tines twice a year and once with the large tines in late fall minimizes excessive thatch development. The U.S.G.A. Green Section endorses this program.

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.

Update - Tree Removal along Firetown Road

They have started removing the trees along the first hole. Hopefully the weather won't be too extreme so they can finish before the weekend.

Widening of fairways 7, 8 and 11

Remember when???  Notice the old fairway contour on # 8 versus the new.



Gradually lowering the height of cut from to fairway height took about eight weeks.

Tree Removal along Firetown Road

Early this spring we received a flyer from CL&P in the mail. Here's some of page one and two.

     

Unfortunately, the majority of the white pines along Firetown Road fit the criteria for removal. After marking most of the pines for removal, CL&P's hired tree care professional came to me to discuss the situation. Along with most of the large white pines, other trees that were marked were two large Oaks just outside the clubhouse adjacent to the main parking lot and the service entrance, and a few miscellaneous maples not yet fully grown. Fortunately, he was sympathetic to the aesthetics of the grounds and said he would like to discuss each well established tree that was marked so we could choose to remove only the trees that were a "high risk".  Besides location, the growth habit and general health of each tree was considered. After complete review we were able to save about 50% of the trees marked to be removed, including the large Oaks. Several of the large pines that are being removed are in decline and are a serious risk (even to the golfer). So why not let them take care of them?  The remaining pines should fill in over the next few years but frankly some of the voids will have to be replanted per their instructions below.

Ice Damage Recovery Plan

Golf Course Update

Now that the warmer temperatures have finally arrived and the grass has greened up, any suspect ice damage is now apparent. Ice damage is evident on greens 1, 6, 8 and 14, a handful of tees, as well as a few fairway sections (most notably on the 11^th fairway). Specifically, the damage on the greens is more of a thinning than devastation.

Many golf courses in the northeast received more widespread and severe damage, forcing the closure of greens and implementing temporary greens (to help expedite the recovery process).  The ice damage on the golf course could have been much worse. In our case, I believe we can still use all of our playing surfaces and at the same time commence with the recovery process.

In late March, as the snow finally started to melt and we could get onto the greens, we noticed what could be some ice damage. Since the verticut slices and holes from the fall green aerification had not fully healed yet, we had the perfect seed bed if ice damage was going to be an issue, so as a precaution we performed an overseeding on any greens where the ice damage was suspect. This seeding was performed in mid April but with such a cold spring, recovery has been slow. Complicating matters is the use of plant growth regulators (used to limit poa seedheads and keep greens rolling smoothly).

For seed germination, the soil temperatures need to be 50-65 degrees. Soil temperatures are usually cooler than air temperatures and soil takes longer to warm up than air. Now with the warmer seasonal temperatures of recent we will be continuing with the green recovery process and start on the affected areas on the 11^th red tee and select areas in some of fairways. This will be a program of ”light” aerifications and slice seedings and will be repeated periodically as needed. 

“Understanding or even trying to explain the injury patterns is always a challenge. Several variables, including site characteristics (e.g., surface drainage, sun and wind exposure, soil type, grasses etc.) and weather events, ultimately dictate where winter injury will occur and how severe it will be”. For instance, in my tenure, none of the poorly draining areas at Hop Meadow have ever had ice damage. I can only surmise that the soil does not freeze as extensively as the higher, better draining areas. If you think about it, greens 1, 6, 8 and 14 can dry out very fast (because they drain well) and in the summer you’ll often see us hand watering those greens more regularly. With these “best draining greens” the ground freezes earlier and more extensively so when a winter thaw occurs the water just sits on the surface and can’t go anywhere, killing the grass after an extended period of time. Additionally, these greens are sloped to the north (lower sunlight intensity).

The weakest link in the ice damage arena is the annual bluegrass (or poa annua) population.  Established, older golf courses (Hop Meadow included) consistently battle to keep the poa annua alive but over seed with bentgrass at every opportunity. Bentgrass has a much higher tolerance for freeze (and drought) conditions than poa annua.  Unfortunately our natural growing environment encourages poa annua.  Newer golf courses constructed using bentgrass are not as susceptible to ice damage. And once bentgrass greens are established, poa annua invasion can be kept at bay with the use of plant growth regulators. These PGR’s are not for the greens with high poa populations and unfortunately, converting to bentgrass greens is a costly and time consuming process.

As with any recovery program, patience is critical. This is especially true in the spring when growing conditions often are less than favorable.

Thank you for your understanding.

Golf Course Opening this Friday April 11th!

Hop Meadow Members,

Based on current weather forecasts, we will be opening the full 18 holes of golf beginning Friday April 11^th at 12pm.  Golfers will have access to cart usage and the lower Driving Range opening is TBD.  Should the weather change we may need to modify what is available for use.  Please check with the golf shop daily for any news regarding the availability of services. 

As a reminder, now that the golf course will be fully open, all play will begin off #1 unless otherwise permitted by a member of the professional staff.  All members are required to check in prior to play.  The first tee times are scheduled for 8am daily.  There is still a possibility of frost early in the season so tee times may be delayed or golfers will possibly be instructed to start on a golf hole without frost.  The official start of ForeTees is April 19^th.

Course set up will be on an on going basis along with a balance of spring clean up and early season preparations. From time to time in the spring, necessary maintenance will require us to possibly close a hole (or area) while work is being completed.  Please observe the posted guidelines prior to play to help maintain the safety of the maintenance workers. 

Start up of the Golf Snack Bar is on the schedule for early next week.

Please use good judgment and remember, with early season golf, replace your divots. 

Thank you.

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.

Golf Course Superintendent

Are you a "Winter Weary Golfer?"

click here for an article discussing the issues a golf course can have when coming out of such a difficult winter. Fortunately it appears we fared well with only a few areas in the upper fairways showing ice damage. In the past, this type of damage to the fairways has come back in a relatively short time.  This year shouldn't be any different.

Here's a photo of ice damage on the golfer's left of # 4 fairway (looking back to the tee). This area receives melt from the adjacent hill and is in the shade for much of the day. Needless to say, one of the last places on the course for the snow/ice to melt.

Upper Greens Open

As of noon today the upper greens 5-8, 10-13 and 15 will be open.  The 14th green (which is  still to soft at this time) will have a temporary and should be ready next week with the rest of the golf course.  If we receive an excessive amount of rain this weekend there may be other greens is too wet to support traffic and we will have a temporary in place and then put the green back into play as it dries out.

As far as supportive golf supplies for this weekend we will have divot buckets on the twelfth tee. Next week we will have the majority of the seasonal staff back and more supplies will be added along with a more thorough course clean up along with rolling and mowing the greens (should the weather allow for this).  

It is quite possible we will be able to allow carts by the end of next week.  They will be allowed on better draining holes first and where cart paths make it possible to traverse the course.  Check with the golf shop for specifics.

Enjoy the nice weather and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.
Golf Course Superintendent

Course Conditions

The course is drying out nicely though still a bit too wet. However, the road to the upper driving range is now dry enough to drive on, just keep off the grass areas (see ruts below). 

Feel free to drive to the upper range tee and hit some balls or play to the temporaries. Hopefully we'll see you soon.

Opening of the Golf Course

The snow is still melting and the golf course is drying out nicely. If the dry weather continues the course should be opening for play soon.

To open the greens, the soil must be firm enough to support the staff and equipment to clean the surfaces (after which the greens are "walk mowed"). The soil must also completely thaw so that a cup can be set. Opening too early increases the possibility of "foot printing" (along with "rutting" from the equipment) producing "bumpy "greens during the early part of the season.

Traditionally we are able to open the upper golf holes first and the lower holes become playable a few days later. It is likely that upper greens 3-8, and 10-15 will be open first (with greens 5, 7, and 12 a possibility). In the case that a green is too wet to support traffic, we will have temporaries in place and put the green back into play as it dries out.

Carts are generally available shortly after the initial opening. They are allowed on better draining holes first and where cart paths make it possible. Check with the golf shop for specifics.

Soon the weather will allow the course to open. In the meantime, the temporaries are in place on holes 5-8 and 11-15. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.
Golf Course Superintendent

Exposure to Pesticides on the Golf Course

Should you be concerned about exposure to pesticides applied on the golf course?
 click here  to get some answers

Golf Course Status

Though ever so slowly, the snow has been melting and the course has now cleared enough for us to get a good look at it. Here's a synopsis of how we look after the harsh winter.

Greens - Minor ice damage on the first green, all others appear to have come through well.

Tees - Minor snow mold damage to a few tees located in corners of the property where the snow melt occurs more slowly.

#2 Tee

A closer look at gray snow mold

    

Fairways - All are in great shape. A different snow mold control was used on the fairways. We'll be using a similar product on the tees next year. 

#10

Using the Golf Course for Non Golf Activities

click here For a recent article about using the golf course for non golf activities.

February Rains

Click here for a recent article from a superintendents' online community that discusses some of the issues we focus on as we transition from winter to spring. 
In our case we should be on the "good side" of things since we have had relatively good weather (cold temps and snow cover) until this week's rains. Most years we lose our snow/ice cover by mid to late March so things should be manageable.

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Winter Storm Derby

Winter Storm Derby has hit, it is 8:30am and the storm has produced 10" of snow already! We will be going out to remove the first batch of snow and follow up later in the day and then again tomorrow morning. Enjoy the snow.