Manakin fairway aeration complete, Pickleball is open!

 

The tractor aerators made their way through all the Manakin fairways this week. The solid tines were going down about 3 inches for our annual aeration. This is a clean and fast process, knocking out about 50 acres of turf in less than three days. These holes should help keep water moving through the upper profile as we dry out in the summer while also promoting longer root growth so that the Latitude can draw water from deeper into the soil.

All three 648 aerators were out as well punching holes in tee tops and all around the greens. Efrain, David and Raul all put in 20 miles a day to get everything completed before the end of the day Tuesday.

Ryan put down a light dusting of sand on the Manakin greens Tuesday while we were closed. Ballmarks have closed in nicely over the last three weeks and the light topdressing should help the greens continue to putt smoothly.

Here is a great picture of what is going on out in the rough this spring. In the foreground the vamont bermuda is green but full of Poa since it is close to (14) green and not sprayed with herbicide. Past the middle red line the vamont is relatively clean with Poa but slow growing and susceptible to wear thanks to herbicides applied. The top left shows an area that we stripped sod from, drained and then resodded with Northbridge bermuda. The Northbridge can tolerate the herbicide better and it is not as susceptible to the large patch fungus like the Latitude is in the Manakin rough. We are always observing, learning and trying to improve!

5 Sabot stream was off for a few days to bolster the greenside water fall a bit this week. It is back up and running nicely now. The water loves to sneak by these natural looking features a few times a year.

Eligio and his team ripped up the old walk bridge on 17 Sabot this week as well. The old bridge was too skinny for push carts, was pretty rotted out anyway, and was housing two snakes. 

The new bridge looks great and will accommodate push carts and robots. Next up will be the bridge on 3 green next week.

The pickleball courts are now open for play!! Our guys are scrambling together some umbrellas, tables and chairs today and tomorrow. Enjoy the grand opening Sunday!

Insulation and drywall is going up in the new buildings, we are getting close here!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Stay out of the native areas unless you want to take home some tall and fine fescue seed!