A couple of things you should know about this years opening:
- Due to the cold temps and frozen conditions in the bunkers, many of them will not be groomed prior to opening. The crew is out working today, and will be all week, on the ones we can but many of them are simply unworkable at this time.
- While the greens will be mowed prior to opening, many of the other surfaces (tees, fairways and collars) may not be mowed prior to opening unless they begin to grow. We will mow each of these respective areas as soon as they are ready.
- Deeptine aeration of the fairways is on-going and will continue daily into the week of April 14th. It's a slow process but extremely important to relieve soil compaction in the fairways. After last years unusually long, dry and warm season, the fairways are more in need then ever of this process.
- Course Aerification - The greens and tees are scheduled to be aerified April 15th and 16th. With cooperation from Mother Nature, in about 10 days time the holes should completely heal.
- Fairway Graden - This spring we intend to conduct an aggressive verti-cutting procedure known as "gradening". This process is less intrusive than conventional hollow-tine aerification but still extremely effective in removing excessive organic matter (thatch). We expect the process to take one week to complete all the fairways. This work will begin April 17th and will continue daily until complete and as weather allows.
Look forward to seeing everyone back out on the course. Here's to a great 2013 season ahead!
Authored by: Bob McCurdy, Golf Course Superintendent
