Green Superintendent Update - November

 Brush/native clearing 

Restoring native areas on golf courses is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the course. In our ongoing efforts to revitalize these spaces, we are focusing on the removal of small saplings and woody weeds that have overtaken the land. We have initiated cleaning efforts on holes 1, 2, and 17 of the golf course, which have shown significant encroachment by unwanted vegetation. To address this issue, we begin by mowing with a brush mower to cut down saplings and woody weeds, reducing their height and making it easier to manage debris. After mowing, we clean out large debris such as fallen branches, logs, and other organic matter to ensure the area is clear for the next phase and to reduce competition for nutrients among the desired fescues. We then apply selective herbicides to target remaining woody weeds and saplings without harming the surrounding environment, which is vital for preventing regrowth and allowing fescues to establish themselves without competition. Regular monitoring will help us check for signs of regrowth or new saplings, enabling us to implement follow-up treatments as necessary. Our primary objective is to create a sustainable environment that supports the growth of healthy fescues on the golf course, encouraging the natural ecosystem to flourish, providing habitat for wildlife, and improving the overall health and playability of the course. 

Granite stairs 

We are excited to announce the recent installation of granite stairs on hole #3, which significantly enhances both the appearance and functionality of this area. The new granite stairs provide a much more polished look compared to the old, eroding railroad ties, contributing to the overall aesthetics of the golf course. Additionally, granite offers superior stability and durability, ensuring that the stairs can withstand the elements and heavy foot traffic without degrading over time. This upgrade not only improves safety and accessibility for our golfers but also elevates the overall experience on the course 

Core aeration on fairways 

This season, we’ve begun a renewed focus on core aeration across our fairways — an essential practice for improving turf health and playability. Core aeration helps relieve soil compaction, increases air and water movement in the root zone, and promotes stronger, deeper root growth. Over time, this process also helps reduce thatch and organic matter buildup, leading to firmer, healthier fairways that perform better throughout the season. 

To support this effort, we recently began using a drum aerator, which represents a return to an older but highly effective method. While this style of aeration may seem traditional, it has proven to be much less harsh on our equipment compared to more modern machines. Our fairways contain a significant amount of rock and ledge, which has caused damage to our machinery in the past. The drum aerator allows us to continue vital turf management practices without putting unnecessary strain on our fleet. 

We plan to aerate multiple times throughout the year as part of our long-term strategy to bring organic matter levels under control. Following aeration, we have also seeded the treated areas and applied a 2mm layer of topdressing sand to help smooth the surface, improve soil structure, and encourage seed-to-soil contact for better germination. 

This process will gradually lead to healthier, more resilient fairways that can better handle traffic, weather, and seasonal stress — ensuring improved playing conditions for years to come.