Minnesota Valley Country Club

Greens were lightly topdressed with sand on Thursday, June 23rd. Six staff members were needed to complete the process, and their work was completed in the following order (photos to follow text); Mow and grromed greens, topdressed with sand, dragged the sand into grass with mat, mowed the green for second time to mow off grass stood up by dragging, cut new cup location and cleaned out cup, watered green for four minutes to wash sand off reduce sand particles on grass leaves. Conditions weren't ideal as a light mist filled the air at times during the morning. However, they needed it, especially with all of the rain we've recieved lately, which has accelerated growth and slowed ball roll considerably. The process went very well, and the benefits of this process include; a smoother surface, increased ball roll or speed, reduction of thatch, better drainage, and protection of the plants from mower damage. We typically topdress greens every two to four weeks, depending on the health and growth of the grass and the golf calendar. It will be necessary to topdress again the week before the Heritage Invitational which begins on July14th. Greens can be expected to be at their best shortly after a topdressing. The following photographs show some of the equipment and process used. Greens should increase in speed over the next few days if we can begin to control the water as oppossed to Mother Nature.