Green Superintendent Update - June 2025

May's Challenges and Triumphs

May certainly tested our mettle with its relentless, heavy downpours, making it feel more like monsoon season than spring. Despite the extraordinary rainfall, our greens held up magnificently, a true testament to the success of our ongoing agronomic practices. The drainage and turf health we’ve cultivated have prevented any significant issues, keeping them firm and playable. However, the excessive wetness did present a formidable challenge on our fairways, where thatch issues became a constant battle. We've been working tirelessly to manage it, and while it's an ongoing fight, our proactive measures have largely mitigated any severe impact. Overall, the plant health across the course is in a great spot, and the dedication of our entire department means conditions are exceptional, despite Mother Nature's attempts to throw us off course.

Venting greens

Needle tining, or solid tining, is vital for healthy golf greens, especially as summer approaches in Nashua, NH. It relieves soil compaction, which often hinders root growth and nutrient absorption. These small holes improve gas exchange, allowing oxygen to reach roots and releasing harmful carbon dioxide. This process fosters deeper, stronger root systems better able to handle drought and heat. Needle tining also greatly improves water infiltration, preventing surface puddling and ensuring moisture reaches deeper soil. This low-impact method is often done weekly to keep greens firm, consistent, and highly playable without the long recovery times of more aggressive aeration, ultimately boosting turf health all year.

Anerobic layer

At a 10-inch depth, we often encounter a compacted layer within the soil profile, frequently an anaerobic layer where oxygen is scarce. This restricts root development and overall plant health, as essential microbial activity and nutrient uptake are significantly hindered. Our deep-tine aeration program directly combats this issue by utilizing longer tines that penetrate past this problematic layer, effectively fracturing the soil beneath. This soil fracturing is a critical part of our program, creating vital channels that improve air and water exchange, encouraging roots to grow deeper, and ultimately transforming this previously struggling zone into a healthier, more aerobic environment for the turf. The picture shown is a sand channel down to a 10” depth

 

Excessive rainfall

 

The golf course has been significantly impacted by extraordinary recent rainfall, with over six inches accumulating in just seven days. This excessive precipitation saturated the soil beyond capacity, leading to standing water in low-lying areas and extremely soft conditions across all playing surfaces. Fairways are challenging to navigate as golf balls plug deeply, and maintaining proper footing becomes difficult. As this is my first wet season managing the course, I'm now able to make specific note of persistent wet areas where drainage will undoubtedly need to be added. While our greens show remarkable resilience due to agronomic practices, even they are softer than ideal, affecting ball roll and approach shot consistency. The sheer volume of water made maintaining typical firm, fast conditions nearly impossible, inevitably altering strategic play and the overall course experience.

Detail work @ pool

The pool area offers a pristine and inviting atmosphere for all our members. Our team meticulously maintains the grounds surrounding the pool. We ensure the deck area is consistently cleared of debris and weeds, providing a clean and aesthetically pleasing surface. We also pay close attention to the landscaping around the pool, ensuring plantings are healthy and manicured, adding to the tranquil ambiance. From comfortable lounge chairs neatly arranged to well-stocked amenities, every detail of the surrounding grounds is considered to enhance the relaxation and enjoyment of this popular area.

 

 

 

Golf Course Superintendent,

Cogan Register