IT’S A NECESSARY evil and on the rare occasions it occurs, it can make golfers grumble.
I’m talking about the traditionally biannual aeration of greens, teeboxes and fairways on golf courses.
After practice one day in high school, we were informed that the greens would be aerated the next day.
As a golfing neophyte, I had no idea what they were talking about.
I found out the next afternoon when I approached the practice putting green and saw neatly punched holes covering a sandy grass carpet.
No putts for me that day.
Eventually, I figured out what the course was aiming to achieve with the operation: relieve compacted soil and control decaying roots and grass stems underneath the surface.
I’m not a turfgrass scientist, so I found this information through the United States Golf Association.
This organic matter acts like a sponge, and when it gets too full it holds too much water near the surface.
The excess water can limit root growth and cause diseases.
When courses combine aeration and sand-topped dressing, it helps to manage and balance the amount of air and water on the greens’ surface.
Too much air results in excessively dry greens that are frequently under severe stress.
Too much water results in short and weakened root systems, and can lead to turf failure.
Aeration holes allow excess water to evaporate and let air penetrate the green for a healthier, more robust root system.
It’s a delicate balance, and I hope North Olympic Peninsula golfers give our course operators a break during these short periods of rehabilitation.
It’s for the greater good.
What led to my tangent
What led me to consider the topic is SkyRidge Golf Course’s recent aeration of its greens.
As a result, SkyRidge of Sequim will now offer play for the low, low price of just $1 per hole.
This deal will occur at least through the weekend and probably into sometime in the beginning to middle of next week, depending on how the greens react to the procedure.
Your best bet is to call the course and see how things are going at 360-683-3673.
Demo days craze
Golf interest is heating up, the temperatures and weather lagging just a bit behind, but demo days wait for no man, woman or child.
If you are reading this column this morning, you can still make today’s Cedars at Dungeness TaylorMade Demo Day in Sequim.
It features free fittings by TaylorMade’s factory reps and Cedars PGA golf pros Jeff Lindsey, Bill Shea and assistant pro Garrett Smithson.
The pros will also be out on the driving range offering instruction and cracking wise when the moment allows.
The demo day runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
Cedars will also host the fifth annual Claws & Paws Golf Tournament — a benefit for the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.
The event features two divisions, handicap and Callaway.
Entries are limited to the first 100 players.
The $100 entry fee includes cart, range balls, tee prizes, longest drive prizes, KP’s, raffle tickets, luncheon and a prize field of $1,500 (based on 100 players).
Tickets for the luncheon are $15.
All proceeds go to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, and all donations are tax deductible.
For more information or to register, call Smithson at 360-477-2718, or Andy Anderson at 360-809-0144.
Tournament directors are also seeking sponsors.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, call Kandace Schmidt at 360-461-2810 or Marsha Robin at 206-650-5431.
For more information on golfing at Cedars, phone the pro shop at 360-683-6344, ext. 1.
Over to SunLand
SunLand Golf & Country Club of Sequim will host a TaylorMade demo day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The club has a special deal for the public on weekends in May.
For just $39, participants will receive a round of golf and lunch.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Olympic Peninsula will hold a benefit tournament at SunLand on Saturday, May 15.
There will be more information in next week’s column.
If you can’t wait the week, phone the Sequim unit at 360-683-8095.
SunLand is also conducting a drawing for a new TaylorMade R9 SuperTri driver, free rounds of golf and free golf balls.
Those interested can enter the drawing at www.sunlandgolf.com.
Remember to enter the word “contest” into the comments box.
SunLand will draw the winners on Tuesday, June 1.
For more information on SunLand, phone the course at 360-683-6800, ext. 13.
Peninsula Ping demo
Peninsula Golf Club of Port Angeles hosts a Ping Golf demonstration day from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The golfing public is invited to drive up the hill and try the new Ping G15 line of clubs.
The club also had 41 members venture over to Chelan to play in the 23rd annual Pat Pane Memorial tournament.
Members played a round at Bear Mountain Ranch.
Full results of the travel day play can be found on page B2.
For more information, phone the Peninsula golf shop at 360-457-6501.
PT tourney on tap
Port Townsend Golf Club will host the two-event Jim Caldwell Memorial Rhody Classic during the 75th annual Rhododendron Festival on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16.
Saturday’s format is an individual gross and net tournament.
Cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers with prizes, KP’s and LP’s included.
Tee time is 8 a.m., so that folks can finish their round and head up to the grand parade.
Sunday’s format is a two-person best-ball gross and net tournament with a 9 a.m. tee time.
Entries are $25 for members and $37 for nonmembers.
For more information, phone the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
Tourney raises $5,000
Port Townsend hosted the sixth annual Relay for Life Golf Tournament last Saturday.
The event was sponsored by The Hilltop Tavern and First Federal, and was a big success with more than $5,000 raised to fight cancer.
Full results from the tournament can be found on Page B2.
Peninsula Cup coming up
A quick note for the 2010 Peninsula Cup.
The second annual event will be held at SunLand on Saturday, May 22.
Ninety-six players from six of the seven golf courses on the North Olympic Peninsula will compete this year, an increase from the 60 players who played last year.
Some of the clubs are conducting their own tournaments to field the best possible team for the competition.
Scoring will come from the 13 best scores, the three best net and 10 best gross from each team.
For more information, e-mail tourney chair Ray DeJong at dejong2263@aol.com.
Shrinking things up
Due to space limitations, I’m no longer able to put specific weekly results of men’s and women’s clubs in my column.
Any information I do receive will be printed in the Scoreboard section, Page B2.
Information on course events, outings and recognition ceremonies are always welcome, and will find a home in my column.
Photos from any events are encouraged as well.
I work during the day and am unable to attend many of these local gatherings.
In addition, vacation time is coming soon and if North Olympic Peninsula players have traveled to play renowned out-of-state courses on vacation, send along a photo.
Examples could be playing Bethpage Black in New York, or Pebble Beach, or even Bandon Dunes in Oregon.
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Michael Carman is the golf columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column appears on Wednesdays. He can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.
