Finally aerating new Bobcat greens

We finally closed the Bobcat course last week to begin aerifying/verticutting/topdressing the new greens.  As we started we quickly noticed and indicator of our green's health...extensive white, fiberous roots.  When turf plants are afflicted with pests such as root-born disease or microscopic nematode worms the roots will appear brown/black and decrease in size.  The photo below shows that your greens are VERY healthy going in to our busy cultural season.

Note: don't plant cypress trees on top of drainage!!!

While investigating some poorly draining areas of #2 Bear we discovered some clogged drain lines that provided some amazing photos.  The drain line ran right underneath some cypress trees just left of the cart path.  The roots grew into the pipe and began to spread out.  In order to get into the pipe to clean it we had to cut our way in with an electric saw (see photo below).

 

 

Once the pipe was open, we could extract the 9'+ of fibrous roots that were crammed into the pipe.  Problem solved!  This area left of  #2 green should drain much better now.