Turf
30 MAY 2025
As part of our ongoing effort to provide optimum playing conditions, we would like to inform you that we will be using the VC60 Dethatcher machine to maintain the bentgrass fairways. This operation will be carried out over the next two weeks. First to le Maître, then to la Bête.
This specialized machine is designed to eliminate thatch, the layer of dead organic matter that accumulates between the soil surface and the base of the grass blades. Too much thatch is detrimental to lawn health, preventing water, air and nutrients from reaching the roots.
Here are the main benefits of this procedure:
- Improved quality of play: by removing thatch, the fairway becomes firmer, more uniform and offers better ball rolling.
- Stimulation of growth: the grass is less smothered and grows back more vigorously and densely.
- Disease prevention: an aerated, surface-dry lawn reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
- Reduced product use: healthy soil requires fewer chemical treatments, which is good for the environment.
- Rapid recovery: unlike more aggressive methods, the VC60 enables efficient maintenance with minimal impact on playability.
We thank you for your understanding while this work is in progress, and we're sure you'll appreciate the results in your next rounds.
Cultural practices are extremely important. Cutting back on these tasks, or reducing their frequency, creates a considerable backlog. For example, if we don't aerate the greens one year, we set ourselves back a few aeration cycles. The whole thing is exponential. It is important to note and to mention right away the aeration dates for the greens. They're subject to change, depending on the weather. More to come on this subject in next week’s Turf update
Le Maître: Tuesday June 10 and Wednesday June 11
La Bête: Tuesday June 17 and Wednesday June 18
Upcoming maintenance
- Verticut in the fairway
- Work on sand bunkers
- Advanced starter structure at N01
- Fertilization
Marc-André Doré
Golf Course superintendent