In the last week, all fairways were aerified with 3/4" hollow tines. This machine brings a core to the surface. Immediately following, the fairways were veriticut with a 60" wide, tractor mounted PTO unit.
The first step (above) is to drag the fairways using a chain link fence mat. This breaks all of the material up, returning the sand and soil back into the canopy of turf. The loose material like plants/ roots and thatch is left on the surface. Dragging is critical because we have spent a lot of money in years past on sand topdressing. We want to make sure it returns to the ground and not hauled off!
Next, a blower moves all of that loose material to the center of the fairway.
Then, a sweeper comes by and picks this material up. It is hauled to a pile in the parking lot. Ultimately, it will be hauled to the back of the driving range.
Finally, we add additional sand. This year, over 300 tons will be spread on the fairways at Highlands CC!