Poa Removal and Bunker Construction

In our efforts to maintain perennial ryegrass as the primary turf on our course (except greens) it is necessary to constantly keep removing it from infected areas.  One of the main methods of removal is to use a sod cutter and mechanically remove the infested areas and replace it with new perennial rye sod.  Throughout the future you should expect to see areas of the course that have been stripped and replaced with perennial rye sod.  This will minimize the ability for Poa to spread throughout the course. We are constantly trying to eradicate these areas so that we do not give Poa time to seed and spread.   This mechanical process was completed on a majority of the collars as well. We will continue to sod the remaining collars that are infested with Poa.  This collar process should be completed by the end of this winter.

Here's an area where we cut out Poa and getting ready to replace with ryegrass

Removal of the infested collar, ready for new sod

Sodding the Collar

 Along with removing Poa we are also continuing to rebuild and construct the existing bunkers.  Our main goal is to provide bunkers that function properly and are more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  This process starts by removing the existing sand in the bunker and stripping two rolls of sod around the edge.  Next we will go in and re-contour the existing shape and place a bunker stabilizer “sta-lock” on the bunker floor that will not allow for contamination of the sand with soil.   The final step will be to install sub-surface irrigation around the bunker edges and replace new sod and sand. 

Removal of sod, sand and getting ready to re-contour

 

Re-Shaping

Sub-surface Irrigation install

Adding the Sta-Lock bunker floor.  This is probably the most vital step in the process.  This is the material that does not allow the soil to contaminate with the sand.  You can see once you run a vibratory plate over the aggregate it turns it into a firm surface.  We have a slightly different material on a lot of our walk-paths.

A closer look of the material compacted.  You can see how this will prevent any cross-contamination.

Bring on the new sand.

Waitea Patch

Wanted to give everyone a little background on a disease that we deal with on our putting surfaces.  Throughout the upcoming months I will try to give a brief description of some of the diseases and pests that we deal with here at Palo Alto.  Waitea patch is a particular disease that we can see on our greens sometimes throughout the entire season.  Fortunately for us it is not as devastating of a disease as Basal Anthracnose( look for a description in a upcoming post).  Even though it does not cause the severe damage like Basal rot, Waitea can leave some pronounced visual effects that are unpleasant to look at.   Take a look at some pictures below and next time you are out on our greens keep an eye out for this disease.  If you look hard you should be able to locate this on a few of our greens. Hint #18

Notice the Circular Patches.

 

Here's another look at it.