Dryject, irrigation at #7, artificial range tee and course pests.

Despite the frigid weather the last two days, we were able to get dryject greens, which we are doing instead of our normal aerification. One reason for this is because of the soil tests we had last fall showing organic matter at just above 1 percent. That is a little low, so instead of pulling out more organic matter with a traditional aerification, we decided to inject fresh sand into the profile. The other reason we went with the dryject was because we wanted to punch a channel of sand through the layer of organic matter at the top of the soil profile and the dryject machines are able to go deeper into the profile than traditional aerifiers. We will still get all the benefits of aerification (increased water movement, air exchange, microbial activity, firmness) and it's a less invasive procedure than aerifiying, so the greens will heal quickly. 

Dryject machine. The company that did this for us was great. They worked with us to make sure our greens were complete before the rain. And their day isn't done, as I write this they are now at a course in Chardon, working until dark trying to finish that course before it rains tomorrow night. 

Channel of sand. Notice how it is past the layer of darker soil at the top. 

Finished greens. Not too messy and most of this should wash in with the rain coming in the next few days. 

Part of the work at #7 green included adding some irrigation heads to the left side of the cart path by the green. The rough on the left side of the green often dries out in the summer because it doesn't get sufficient irrigation so we decided while the hole was under construction it was a good time to add a few heads. These will be very helpful moving forward and the healthier rough should increase play-ability around the green. 

Adding heads. 

A few quick notes. 

This is a picture of the finished concrete for the artificial tee. We will add a stone border before the grass is installed to protect the tee from mowers and golf carts. 

Geese are laying eggs and it seems that our harassment techniques are working. We are down to three nesting pairs (that I know of) on the course. If you see a goose, feel free to harass it! If you see a nest, feel free to tell me! Thanks for you help. 

Annual bluegrass weevils are coming out of dormancy. We will keep an eye on their population levels this spring and to see if our late season treatment did anything to reduce their spring levels. 

So small. So destructive. 

Ian