Hydrojecting Greens

We're in the process of Hydrojecting greens.  The Hydroject is what the name implies, a machine that injects water.  It does so at very high pressure creating tiny holes that allow air and water to enter the soil profile.  We try to do every green at least three times per year.  You'll have to look very closely to find the pin-sized holes.

This is one of the cultural practices that have allowed us to not core aerate greens over the past 17 years (along with regular sand topdressing.)  That is a phenomenal achievement, one that few experts would ever have believed.

I really like not having to core aerate as a Superintendent, because Poa annua doesn't have a place to take hold.  I like it as a golfer, because the greens are not torn up two or more times per year.

I hope you will be able to get out and enjoy it, we're one of the very few courses in the country that has been able to avoid regular core aeration!

New Toro Irrigation System Part of Renovation at Poppy Hills

Here is an interesting article from Toro on the new irrigation system going in at Poppy Hills GC on the Monterey Peninsula.  The new system will allow them to reduce the amount of irrigated turf, use moisture sensors to monitor soil moisture, and utilize the latest technology in control systems.

At the end of the article there is also a link to the Poppy Hills Renovation Blog, which features interviews and insight into the course renovation process.

2013/03/20/poppy-hills-picks-toro-irrigation-for-major-renovation

                                A new sign of the good things to come!

How Somebody Left A Bunker

Click to enlarge photo


This kind of thing frustrates me as a Superintendent.  We just finished raking this bunker, and a player came along and made no attempt to rake up his mess.  If I didn't go and fix it myself, it would have stayed this way all weekend.  I would hope most players would be more courteous to the players who follow.  Proper course etiquette is simply part of playing the game!

Fairway & Rough Fertilizer Spraying

We're spraying liquid fertilizer on the fairways and roughs this week.  It is a mixture of urea nitrogen and ferrous sulfate.  This is a foliar feeding of the turf in preparation for the US Intercollegiate event coming in two weeks.  This light feeding helps the turf, but has little potential to run-off if we do happen to get rainfall.

A soap foam marker is used to mark the edge of the spray pattern.  You may see little clumps of foam dotting the fairways.  The foam marks stay visible for about 30 minutes, then quickly disappear.

I found this creative sign posted along the course, have you seen it?

New Tools For Practice Green #1

Shown is a ball mark repair tool to help with the ball marks on the new practice green.  This tool works best when marks are fresh and not too deep.  Please utilize it by pushing it down with a popping downward stroke on top of the mark.

If everyone helps in repairing their ball marks, it will drastically help the putting surface.

This PVC tool is used to push golf balls off the green. Please use it to clear balls when finished chipping.  We've had quite a few accidental divots taken when a wedge was used to clear balls from the green.