Two areas of major concern that we have recommended to be
addressed immediately in the spring are the front left area of the 6th green and
the front right area of the 12th green. These two areas have become persistent
year to year problem areas largely due to drainage issues created during the
previous bunker renovation. Notice in the pictures the puddles of water that
have accumulated due to poor surface drainage.
Perpetually water logged area's
significantly weaken the turf's ability to survive under the stress of summer
by making the turf more susceptible to mechanical damage from our mowing equipment,
and compromising the turf's root system by depraving it of oxygen and overly
compacting the soil. In the winter time, puddles of water from melted snow or rain
freeze and create a thick layer of ice over the turf creating anoxic conditions
(a lack of oxygen) under the ice causing the turf to begin to ferment and die.
In addition, lack of gas exchange from the ice cover causes high levels of CO2
that are toxic to the turf to build up under the ice. The
most cost effective solution would be to
strip the sod, re-grade the problem areas to allow for adequate surface
drainage, and replace the sod. This process could be completed "in-house"
using our Turf Care Maintenance Team if given approval.