The Property Owners Association's Golf Maintenance Department will aerate golf courses from April 6 to April 14.
By core aerating greens, water and air movement are allowed throughout the greens profile, said Keith Ihms, golf course maintenance manager. Aerating the greens will promote the overall health of the courses' turf and aeration also works toward removing thatch and building stronger root systems.
The main purpose of pulling cores is to manage the thatch layer on the greens. The thatch layer is mostly made up of dying and undecomposed leaf and grass material. Pulling cores removes some of that material and prevents it from building up to an unacceptable level, he said.
Thatch causes greens to become soft and spongy, which can make for poor putting conditions, Ihms said.
When thatch gets to a certain point it causes other issues that are difficult to deal with, such as fungus growth, mower scalping and localized dry spots that will not absorb and retain moisture.
A second sand topdressing will be necessary a week or so after aeration to complete filling of the aeration holes and smooth the surface.
Weather permitting, aeration and maintenance dates and locations will be:
• April 6 - Kingswood Golf Course will be closed for aeration.
• April 7 - Kingswood Golf Course will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
• April 7 - Berksdale Golf Course will be closed for aeration.
• April 8 - Berksdale Golf Course will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
• April 8 - Dogwood Golf Course will be closed for aeration.
• April 9 - Dogwood Golf Course will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
• April 9 - Scotsdale Golf Course will be closed for aeration.
• April 10 - Scotsdale Golf Course will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
• April 10 - Highlands Golf Course will be closed for aeration.
• April 11 - Highlands Golf Course will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
• April 13 - Country Club Golf Courses will be closed for aeration.
• April 14 - Country Club Golf Courses will be closed until 9:33 a.m. for maintenance.
Sports on 03/18/2015