As I sit and write this update, we are heading into the first week of September. Along with that three of the biggest changes and construction areas of the bunker project are reaching completion. The fairway complex at #6 was sodded this week and the finish shaping is taking place on holes #11 and #16. We expect sodding to take place Friday, Saturday and possible some the following Monday to finish these holes.
Rough shaping has started at #10 and we expect to move the initial shaping to #17 Monday. After #17 this work will head to #1, then. #18. The sod from the disturbance areas at #1 fairway bunker complex and all of #18 will take place this upcoming week also.
Along with the bunker project, we will be verticutting, interseeding Pure Distinction bentgrass, and topdressing the greens Tuesday and Wednesday this week. We will do the front nine Tuesday and back nine Wednesday. After we finish the interseeding process on the greens, we will move our cultural practices to tee aeration.
Another project we will be implementing this fall is an aggressive program to reduce Common Bermuda grass in our fairways. In the picture below, you see the Bermuda turning off color from the procedure. You can expect to see a significant amount of this in the upcoming weeks. Newer varieties of turf will be interseeded during the process to allow a smooth transition.
With the bunker project and the fall cultural programs planned it will be a busy September and October. After the tee aeration, we will start the fall fairway aeration.
If you have any questions regarding the bunker project or anything else, please feel free to contact me or stop me on the golf course.
Yours in turf,
Stacy L. Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent
Sonoma Agronomy 