Annual Bluegrass

There have been a few questions raised about the white looking turf on the 5^th tee. The “white” appearance on the this tee is due to the high populations of Annual Bluegrass  or better known as Poa Annua producing seed. Poa Annua is a weed that thrives well in heavily shaded and or wet areas. This grass is short rooted and has a low tolerance for heat and plant pathogens. Unfortunately, this grass is not ideal for the hot and humid summers of Cincinnati. The large Oak tree that was removed posed a challenge to manage bentgrass in this area because of root competition and the constant shade (see below photos). Over the next couple months this area will be inner-seeded with bentgrass to increase the populations of creeping bentgrass.

Thank-you,

Pat O’Brien

Grounds Superintendent

Post Aerification Recovery

With the warm temperatures and timely precipitation the putting surfaces are healing well. We will continue to roll the greens to increase the smoothness  over the next week and  the sand that is visible on the surface will slowly disappear as the turfgrass plant grows through. Located in this post are before and after pictures of the healing process.

Before Sand Topdrssing

One Week of Recovery

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent

Putting Green Aerification

The Grounds Staff completed the aerification of the greens today with excellent results. Over 65 tons of sand was used during the process removing about 10% of the surface area.The healing process will take roughly about 2-3 weeks to fully heal, the expected rain will aid in this process.

Thanks,

Pat O'Brien

Putting Green Aerification

With the recent above normal temperatures, the putting green aerification will be move up a week and will commence on March 19th and be completed on the afternoon on March 21^st. The golf course will remain closed on March 19th and 20^th and will reopen on the 21^st at 9:00am to temporary greens on some of the holes, while the processes are being completed.

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent

Wall Restoration

The final touches on the wall restoration on #6 are almost complete outside of a final pressure washing of the older portion of stone. The cleaning of the wall will aid in matching the old and new stone together. This process will begin in when the irrigation system is pressurized in the next two weeks. The reconstruction of the wall was a challenge with the wet conditions offered over the winter, but I would like to thank the entire Grounds Staff and the Stone Mason Joe Chaney, for their persistence. Just in front of the wall, there is a significant amount of new sod, please play this area as “ground under repair” until the sod has an opportunity to knit in.  The Grounds Staff will continue to work in this area with temporary placement of channel lining past the footbridge to reduce, if not eliminate the soil erosion.

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If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank-you

Pat O’Brien

Grounds Superintendent