Course care

Aeration occurs in the spring and fall

It keeps our putting surfaces healthy, smooth and fast. Here is how our grounds crew does it, step by step.

  1. Grounds crew member running an aerator across a green

    Aerification

    Aerification is complete and turned out great thanks to our amazing grounds crew. It’s done during spring green-up, because greens recover best when they are in growing season. In summary, aerifying gives water, oxygen and nutrients a faster route to the roots through the sand-filled holes, to promote growth.

  2. Rows of fresh hollow-tine aeration holes across a green

    Hollow tine aerification

    Hollow tine aerification pulls out a core, as opposed to solid tines, which push dirt down. Hollow tines are great for removing thatch, an organic matter that can block water and nutrients from reaching the roots.

  3. A pile of soil cores pulled from the green

    Dirt cores

    Once pulled, the dirt cores are spread around the course to help promote grass growth in other areas. After they’re cleared from the greens surface, top-dress sand is placed on the green.

  4. A green fully covered in top-dressing sandTop-dressing sand on a green before brushing

    Full top-dress

    After the sand is dropped on the greens, we drag it by brush to fill the holes. This makes the playing surface even once again. Sand’s coarse texture allows water and oxygen to pass through it to the roots.

From the grounds crew

Around the greens

Aerator working on the first green at sunrise
Aerification
Top-dressing spreader on the 13th green
Top-dress
Grounds crew aerating the 16th green
Green 16

Questions about course conditions? Call the Pro Shop.

(804) 784-3544