Llanerch Golf Course and External Activities

We have started our Winter Tree Management Program. This is the process where we identify trees that need to be either trimmed or removed. The tree pictured here was an Eastern White Pine that had to be removed because of extensive insect damage. The winter is continues to be the best time to perform this type of work. 

Today we verticut 11,13 and 6 fairways. Verticutting is a process where we use a machine with spinning circular blades (the attachment on the tractor in the picture) and run it across the fairway bentgrass. This reduces the thatch layer, improves air movement in the turf canopy, make the bentgrass "stand up" for a better lie and assists in drying the surface out faster. We have done all the fairways on the Clubhouse side of the course and hope to get the remaining fairways done next week.

Yesterday we mowed greens for maybe the last time in 2011. The mild weather and rain had made them grow a little more then we expected. This will increase the speed a little and smooth them out. We are also starting to pull in the ballwashers and rakes in for the winter. There will still be a few ballwashers out on the course for our winter players.