Course Update – September 4, 2026

As we head into September and begin the transition to fall, we’re very encouraged by the progress we are seeing across the golf course.

PoaCure Program Showing Progress

One of the most encouraging developments has been the recovery of our fairways following this year’s PoaCure applications. As the product reduced the existing Poa population, we knew there would be a period where the fairways would be thin and patchy with bare areas.

That transition is now beginning to turn the corner.

The fairways that showed bare and thin areas earlier this summer, particularly holes 1,3,5, and 6, have started to recover as the Kentucky bluegrass fills back in. Seeing this recovery is a very positive sign and is exactly what we hoped to see as the PoaCure program progressed. We will continue to push these areas with fertilizer and sod the largest spots.

Fall Projects

We have several projects planned for this fall that will help improve both the appearance and playability of the course.

We have complete turf renovation planned for the fairways on holes 1 and 5.

These two fairways have been among the areas most affected by the Poa annua transition, and we believe a more comprehensive renovation will give us the best opportunity to establish the turf stand we want for the long term.

The project will include stripping the existing turf, adding drainage where necessary, and adjusting the irrigation system. We will then add approximately three inches of sand and till it into the existing soil. This will improve the soil profile and provide a better growing environment for the new turf.

Once that work is complete, the fairways will be resodded in the spring with a low-mow Kentucky bluegrass.

Another project will be rebuilding the back two tee boxes on hole 15. These tees have reached a point where they have been choked out by tree roots from below and shade from above. We will be removing the offending trees and replanting shorter plant material to screen the tees from the road.

New Root Pruner

We have purchased a new root-pruning machine. This will allow us to address tree roots that have migrated into our turf areas, particularly along the edges of fairways and other maintained areas.

By selectively pruning these roots, we can reduce competition between the trees and turf while preserving trees that don’t necessarily need to be removed. This will become an important part of our ongoing tree management program.

Aerification Returns

Another significant step this fall will be the return of aerification to our maintenance program.

For the first time in three years, we will be aerating the entire golf course. We made the decision to limit this disruption while we were establishing the PoaCure program, but now the timing is right to bring this important cultural practice back.

Aerification helps relieve compaction, improves the movement of air and water through the soil, and encourages stronger root development. Although it is a short-term disruption, it provides important long-term benefits to the health of the turf.

We have the annual dryject scheduled for Greens on September 28th, and then we will core aerify after we close for the season on October 15. Completing this portion of the work after closing allows us to perform the necessary maintenance without impacting fall golf and gives the greens plenty of time to recover before next season.