FIRST GREENS AERATIONS

It has been about 6 months since our last greens aeration, and our greens need it. On Monday, Tuesday, of this week we double punched the greens with 1/2 solid tines, and with a double verti cutting in two directions, and rolled to help smooth the surface. This is a change from past first aerations, becaused we didn't pull plugs and topdress. The solid tining still allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to move through the soil and reach roots. The small channels also are perfect areas for root growth to occur as with pulling plugs. The verti cutting helped to remove thatch, which in fact is the same as pulling plugs. Don't get me wrong, pulling a good plug and followup with topdressing is the best, but this time labor and finances played a big part. We are still scheduled to come back and aerify greens April 26, 27th by pulling plugs, topdressing with the proper sand, and last stop is to roll the greens to help work the sand down in the canopy.

RUDY COSLER CUP

This past weekend was the first Men's golf assocation tournament of the year. The name was changed from the MGA Cup to the Rudy Cosler Cup to honor a long time member and raise funds for the local chapter of "ASL" . Rudy and his wife, Juanita, were at the first tee so all teams could say hello and have their pictures taken with him! Even though the ground was wet, I tried a little freehand logo painting on the turf at the tee box to honor my friend. This may continue with the logos of other member's tournaments, if anyone is interested...

WILDLIFE ON COURSE

Some times the wildlife on the course is very visible, and other times only their signs of activity are noticeable. The beavers are back at #15 lake, as some residents have noticed. The blue herons have move into their nests at #5 tee box for spring nesting. They are happy that the snow and ice has left the lake edges. You may also notice the bluebirds are active at their boxes. Most members are not aware that ranger Don Weir is our guy who builds, repairs, and cleans the nest boxes on the course. We have a new martin house that Don build to replace the one at #7. He started this work over eight years ago on his own. Thanks Don!