The following report summarizes the discussions and recommendations made during the Turf Advisory Service visit on December 9, 2010.
It was a pleasure to return to The Villages Golf & Country Club to discuss golf course maintenance issues on behalf of the USGA Green Section. The focus of the visit was to review the status of the greens with an emphasis on options to improve surface firmness. Specific topics covered in this report include:
1. Health and status of greens
2. Enhancing firmness
3. Do the greens need to be rebuilt?
Soil and drainage - The greens displayed healthy turf growth on the day of the visit and it was good to hear that the greens remained relatively healthy throughout the entire year. Soil profile samples were taken on the practice putting green and No. 9 green to evaluate root growth, the consistency of the soil mix, and the presence of any restrictive layers. The top seven inches of the greens displayed a relatively uniform sand mixture with a layer of organic matter in the top 1/2 inch of the profile. An amended loamy sand material was evident below the seven-inch depth, which appears to be remnants of the original construction mix. Although the difference in soil type at the bottom of the sample is a cause for concern, it was reported that the greens drain well following rain events or heavy irrigation cycles. Aggressive programs for deep aeration and topdressing over the past several years have helped to incorporate more sand into the surface of the greens and maintain acceptable drainage properties. Although the soil profile is not ideal, the greens appear to be sustainable as long as conservative management programs for mowing, disease control, and the use of potable water for irrigation remain in place.
Next week: Thatch and organic matter
