Turf
03 MAY 2024
We're just days away from another great golf season. I'm entering my 17th year as golf superintendent with the same passion and determination as when I started.
The two course crews are hard at work to give you the best conditions as soon as the course opens. However, the weather has not been on our side. The heat has been slow to break through, and the cold rains have slowed our operations. Despite these unpleasant constraints, we'll be ready to welcome you to the course.
We've almost finished cleaning up the grounds. The greens have already been cut a few times to make the surfaces as even and regular as possible. The mowing height is gradually coming down as the days go by. Vertical mowing (verticut) of the greens was carried out on both courses. This operation enabled us to seed some of the weaker areas. The window for best results was sunny, drier weather followed a few days later by rain to keep our seed moist.
The practice of verticutting golf greens is an essential maintenance technique to maintain the health and quality of surfaces for good ball rolling.
The purpose of vertical mowing is to remove some of the excess roots, known as runners, and to control the layer of felt that forms on the greens.
Advantages of vertical cutting:
- Improved ball rolling: verticutting followed by light sanding (top-dressing) makes the green firmer, improving the reliability of the line of play and reducing the flowering of annual bluegrass.
- Felt layer control: this helps keep greens firm underfoot and increases watering efficiency.
- Grain prevention: verticut also prevents the development of grain on the surface, forcing plants to grow more vertically and eliminating the effects of grain on bale rolling.
Verticutting is a crucial cultural practice in greens management, helping to maintain a high-quality, healthy and aesthetically pleasing playing surface. It requires technical know-how and must be carried out with care to avoid damaging the turf.
As a result, we were able to work our felt, while taking the advantage of making furrows for seeding. A profitable operation for us.
We're also continuing to pump water from the fairway 16th back into the river. Hoping to have this surface dry for the master's opening.
The irrigation systems are ready for warmer weather. Despite the rain, we prepared to load our water systems. You can never be too prepared for drastic temperature changes. What's more, this allows us to deal with minor problems when we don't need the water, and to do the checks that need to be done without being in a hurry.
Upcoming maintenance
- Fertilization of greens
- Crabgrass treatment in problem areas
- Repairing irrigation failures
We look forward to seeing you in the turf soon.
Marc-André Doré
Golf course Superintendent