Brown = Green

Last week was a busy week for the Isla Del Sol grounds maintenance department. The course was closed September 2nd thru 5th to allow for the 2nd and final Aerification of the year. During the closure the greens were aggressively aerified along with tees and walk-up areas to tees and greens. Tees and fairways were verticut to remove thatch and stems. Much of the course has a brown tint to it resulting from the aggressive cultural practices performed. Unfortunately, these practices are a necessary evil required to provide healthy grass and a beautiful golf course the remainder of the year.

This link refers to an USGA article explaining the processes involved. Brown Now Will Bring In The New Green

Click on the following link to watch a video of the Isla Del Sol grounds crew in action aerifying greens.  Watch The Crew in Action

In the video you will see the following steps performed:
1- 1st coat of sand applied to the greens
2- 2nd coat of sand applied to the greens
3- 1st direction of aerification. The holes being punched are 5/8" in diameter spaced every 2"x 2". The cores are dragged to the edge of the green leaving the sand behind.
4- 2nd direction of aerification
5- Blowers are used to redistribute the sand and work it into the open holes. The sand helps to maintain hole integrity allowing for long-term benefits of aeration.
6- The greens are really soft and bumpy following the significant aeration work performed. A large roller is used to help smooth the surface.

Finished Product

Please be patient while the greens recover. As you can see they have been through a lot! Ultimately, they will be better for having gone through the process and will soon return to the same beautiful greens we have become accustomed to here at Isla.

Fairway After Being Verticut

18 Tee and Walk-up to 17 Green Following Aefification

Important Reminder! Aerification scheduled for September 2-5

The golf course will be closed September 2-5 for aerification. Greens, tees and walk-up areas will be aerified using large, hollow-tines. The rest of the golf course will be verticut. While these activities cause short-term disruption to the golf course, they are necessary to provide the quality conditions provided throughout the year. It is always our objective to get the work completed and the golf course back in order as fast as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

   The work done during closures makes it possible to provide beauty like this.

Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me!

Our ficus hedges have taken a hit over the past couple of weeks. They are being attacked by the ficus whitefly. This tiny insect pest spends most of its time on the underside of leaves sucking juices from the plant. As a result, leaves begin to curl, turn yellow and fall off. Severe infestations can leave a plant completely defoliated and possibly cause the plant to die. We identified the infestation a couple of weeks ago and have treated with a systemic insecticide. Once the whitefly are under control the hedge should begin to recover.

   Ficus hedge dropping leaves

   Immature stages of whitefly on underside of leaves

#13 Bunker Update

Fortunately, we were able to repair the bunker on #13 without any major reconstruction. The sod on the top side will be marked as ground under repair until it is ready for play.

#13 Bunker Collapse

An irrigation head broke beside #13 green last night resulting in the caving in of the front right greenside bunker. The immediate area will be played as ground under repair. While this presents a brief setback, this may be a blessing in disguise. It is my intention to improve upon the right side of this green complex. I will keep you posted with the latest plans and updates. 

Butterfly Garden

In June we had the opportunity to spruce up the gazebo beside the putting green and first tee by putting in a butterfly garden. The garden was donated in memory of John and Rosemary Healy by her children.

 

    

A Fresh Start(ing) Hole

The forward tee box on #1 has been a perennial issue. A combination of not enough space and too little sun in the winter has made this tee an underachiever. This week we hauled soil recovered during last month's drainage project to the first hole. The soil was used to extend the tee forward about 30 feet, significantly adding to the square footage. The soil was graded and sod placed on the new portion of the tee. The original portion of the tee will remain in use while the new sod is getting established. I expect the entire tee to be ready by mid-September.

 Soil placed in front of #1 forward tee.

Freshly laid sod on the new portion of the tee.