Greens Drainage

Sod removed #12 Green

Now that the early signs of winter are here, we are very close to having the golf course prepared for over-wintering.  The Flags have been moved into their winter locations on fairways in front of the greens.  The course hardware has been removed from the golf course, and our dormant fertilizers and snow mold protection have been applied.

Over the past winters we have developed a plan that has been successful in removing excess water as it melts off our greens surfaces.  The goal is to help water moving off the greens, move quickly to prevent freezing on the greens surface. Ice developing on the greens surface through freeze thaws can lead to turf loss.  Through the winter we shovel these channels keeping them clear from snow and ice accumulations.

Sod in #13 bunker

Preparing sod for the winter

We have identified the greens that will develop puddling water.  The process begins by removing a strip of turf  with a sod cutter, thus creating a channel for the water to move freely off the greens surface.  The sod removed from the green is laid in the closest proximity bunker. The bunker sand is pushed up against the sod edges and used as top dressing to protect the turf through the winter.
In the spring time this sod will be placed back onto the greens surface and will root in recovering quickly.

This week we will also put rope and stakes around all of our greens to keep cross country skiers and walkers from traveling across them through the winter.