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Exciting times for Boston West

May 5, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

Exciting times for Boston West – Set in the Lincolnshire countryside just a short drive away from England’s scenic east coast, Boston West at Hubbert’s Bridge in Lincolnshire was established in 1995 and features an 18-hole parkland golf course, a 20-bay floodlit driving range and a six-hole, par-three academy course. It also offers an on-site three […]

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

May 5, 2017/in Press Release, Technical/by External Source

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much? – The word aeration stimulates negative emotions for many golfers. It may come as a surprise, but golf course superintendents also dislike aeration. After all, the last person who wants to disrupt the smoothness of the putting greens they work so hard to maintain is the superintendent. Golfers often […]

Exciting times for Boston West

May 5, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

May 5, 2017/in Press Release, Technical/by External Source

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Exciting times for Boston West

May 5, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Steve Mitchell

Exciting times for Boston West – Set in the Lincolnshire countryside just a short drive away from England’s scenic east coast, Boston West at Hubbert’s Bridge in Lincolnshire was established in 1995 and features an 18-hole parkland golf course, a 20-bay floodlit driving range and a six-hole, par-three academy course. It also offers an on-site three star hotel with multi-purpose business and wedding facilities, and a modern brasserie style restaurant.

Proud of its high standards and top quality greens surfaces, this proprietary owned golf club is now benefiting from three new John Deere machines delivered by dealer F G Adamson & Son, which has outlets in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Bought using a John Deere Financial package, the kit includes a 2500B triplex greens mower, a 9009A TerrainCut semi/rough five-deck rotary mower and a 36hp 3036E compact tractor equipped with a D160 front loader.

Boston West’s new joint owners Jon Portess and James Mitchell took over the club in May 2016, and immediately asked course manager Tom Luffman what he needed to replace and upgrade the course’s older machines to help bring the overall course maintenance regime back up to speed. The decision was made to invest in John Deere equipment, as managing director Jon Portess explains:

“Following Tom’s recommendations, we conducted the usual tender process, and had a good look at what’s around on the market. We brought in demonstration machines, checked their quality and what was most suitable for the course and our business. The whole package from John Deere and the dealer was simply better than anyone else,” says Jon.

“Adamsons provided the quality we were looking for, and we thought the John Deere machines were the best ones out there. We also felt that the sales approach and the quotation from Adamsons area manager Steve Blanchard were right for our business, and that the machines were right for the various jobs we wanted them to do, and to improve on what we had before.”

Course manager Tom Luffman adds: “It’s an exciting time at Boston West with the purchase of these three new John Deere machines. The 2500B greens mower delivers a superb quality of cut, which will enable us to provide members and visitors with faster and truer putting surfaces.

“In addition, the 9009A TerrainCut mower with TechControl will present the rough to a higher standard – I believe its ability to follow the course contours and maintain an even cut is second to none. The 3036E compact utility tractor is also a fantastic addition to our fleet for its all-round abilities, from loading sand to slitting greens.”

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

May 5, 2017/in Press Release, Technical/by External Source

Golfers often ask, “Why is aeration needed so often?” Aeration is an essential program to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition. Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions. Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces.

Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores – e.g., 0.5-inch diameter cores – from the turf and is the most common type of aeration. Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, resulting in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate golfer traffic.

Proper timing of aeration will ensure the fastest possible recovery and return to smooth surface conditions. The key to a quick recovery is to perform aeration when the turf is healthy and actively growing. The articles, Core Cultivation: Timing is Everything and Easing the Pain of Core Aeration expand on proper aeration timing. There are many types of aeration that superintendents use throughout the season; some are more labor-intensive and disruptive to playing surfaces than others. Less-disruptive forms of aeration, including venting aeration with small-diameter, solid tines, also are beneficial because they can alleviate turf stress by promoting oxygen levels in the soil. Aeration programs that have a small impact on a playing surface generally can be performed throughout the season with little or no disruption to play.

The type and frequency of aeration needed is course specific. Superintendents adjust aeration programs based on soil conditions, turf requirements, climate/weather, available labor and equipment, course events, etc.

Playing conditions are of the utmost importance for most golfers, and aeration is needed to keep turf healthy and playing well. Aeration can be disruptive, but the long-term benefits of aeration far outweigh the short-lived disruption. The next time you play on greens that were recently aerated, keep in mind that aeration is performed for the long-term health of the course. The greens may not play their best immediately following some aeration treatments, but everyone is playing the same conditions and golfers still can enjoy the game and make plenty of putts. After all, Tom Watson once shot a 58 when playing at Kansas City Country Club just a few days after the greens had been aerified.

Adam Moeller is an agronomist in the Northeast Region.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Exciting times for Boston West

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

Exciting times for Boston West

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Exciting times for Boston West

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

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