The golf course has now reopened following our 21-day July closure. This closure is critical to allow us an opportunity to execute our major cultural practices for the year. These practices are vital for long-term plant health and allow us to enjoy excellent year-round turf conditions. The weather fully cooperated and, although very hot, provided us with great working conditions.
As a quick summary, over our 21-day closure, the following practices were completed:
- Greens Aerified and Topdressed 2x and Verticut 4x
- Tees/Fairways/Approaches Aerified 2x and Verticut 4x
- Rough Aerified 2x
We also completed some work on the clubhouse renovation project during this closure. The mounding behind #18 green was reshaped and sodded. Landscaping and lighting were installed along the fence above the lake next to the clubhouse. Once the final grading and shaping of the clubhouse is finalized, we will complete the landscaping, irrigation, and lighting installation.
Bunker sand was added to numerous bunkers throughout the golf course. This was initially intended to be a 3-4 year project, which we now believe we can complete in 2 years.
All sabal palm trees were trimmed around the golf course and common grounds. We have over 2,000 sabal palms located on the golf course and common grounds. These are trimmed yearly during our closure.
I am incredibly thankful to have such a great crew, assistants and mechanics who all worked together to help accomplish all of our goals during this closure.
Please enjoy the pictures below, with captions describing our work over the closure.
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| Greens were topdressed prior to each aerification. The Toro 648 aerifier was outfit with 3/4" tines and set at a depth of 3.5-4". |
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| Our goal at Copperleaf is to impact 15-20% of the surface area yearly. Both aerifications collectively impacted 14%. Each of our "small-tine" aerifications completed throughout the summer impacts an additional 1% of surface area. |
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| The Toro 1298 aerifier completed both fairway aerifications. Fairways were verticut following aerification and then cleaned. |
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| The Toro 1290 and the First Products VC60 working in tandem on #6 fairway. Fairways were verticut 2x following each aerification. The cleaning process was as follows: aerify, verticut, drag, blow, vacuum, blow, brush, blow, mow, blow. |
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| Looking back towards the fairway behind #1 green after the fairway, approach and collar were aerified and the green was topdressed. |
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| Our Roughs were aerified two times with the Toro 686 pull-behind unit. |
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| Greens were brushed and rolled several times to incorporate topdressing sand into the holes created by the aerifier. |
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| The finished work behind #18 green after the surrounds were reshaped and the area was sodded with Celebration Bermudagrass. The new cart path was poured during the closure. |
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| #18 Green on the Friday before reopening. Cutting heights were raised on all playing surfaces to aid in rapid recovery. Heights will be dropped as recovery progresses. |
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| Greens were fertilized after all cultural practices were completed. The entire golf course was also treated with a complete fertilizer containing a preemergent. |
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| An increase in root depth on greens was quickly observed. The roots can now more easily navigate downwards in fresh sand channels. |
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| After organic matter is removed and replaced with topdressing sand, a fresh column of sand is observed on #6 Green. Aerification greatly improves oxygen exchange, reduces compaction, increases water percolation through the soil and enhances both stress tolerance and fertilizer uptake. |
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| Hole #7 on our first day of reopening the golf course. Recovery will continue for the next few weeks until optimum plant health and playability is achieved. |
As always, feel free to email any questions, comments or concerns to parkerf@copperleafgc.com.
