A Quick Aeration Update

The Grounds Team has completed aeration of the putting greens and has moved on to the approaches. Despite the unusually warm September temperatures, the bentgrass surfaces are handling the process well.

Earlier this spring, Adam Moeller of Moeller Consulting completed our first OM246 testing, which measures organic matter at different depths in the putting-green profile and gives us a baseline for future management decisions.

The initial results were encouraging for newly sodded greens. Organic matter in the upper 0–2 cm of the profile ranged from 4.6% to 6.8%, compared with a bentgrass industry median of 5.8%. At the 2–4 cm depth, all greens tested were at or below the 2.5% industry median, ranging from 1.2% to 2.5%.

These spring results serve as our baseline. We did not repeat OM246 testing after the spring aeration, so our planned fall testing will be our first opportunity to compare the profile over time and evaluate how our aeration and topdressing program is influencing organic matter.

For this aeration, we are using 3/8-inch tines. Smaller holes allow us to create a large number of openings while limiting disruption to the putting surface and promoting quicker recovery. We anticipate approximately 80% healing within about two weeks, depending on weather and growing conditions.

Green Canopy; Sand and Fertilizer

The first week of recovery is typically the most challenging from a playability standpoint. The bentgrass needs time to grow back through the topdressing sand before regular mowing can fully resume. During this period, we will roll the greens several times to improve smoothness while allowing the turf to recover.

Weather will remain a factor in how much additional work we can complete Thursday. If we receive too much rainfall, conditions may become too wet to aerate and properly work sand into the surface. The golf course will reopen Friday, and any remaining aeration work will continue on Mondays.

Thank you to the Grounds Team for their hard work throughout the aeration process. We will update everyone if we are able to make additional progress on Thursday.

We appreciate everyone’s patience during the recovery period. This short-term disruption is an important investment in the firmness, consistency, drainage and long-term performance of the putting surfaces.

Thanks for the questions and feedback.

Pat O’Brien
grounds@hydeparkcc.com