Fairways are a big topic, and we’ve saved them as the final feature in our series. In this 90-minute webcast, Matt Shaffer, director of golf course operations at Merion Golf Club, explains that fairway management at Merion is a little different than the norm. Core aerification has not been done on the fairways in eight years. This was originally done to bury the Poa annua seed and crabgrass seed, which Shaffer says has worked to perfection. You’ll hear how he utilizes two aerifications of sand and solid-tine aeration, along with periodic topdressing in the off season. Also included will be a discussion of fairway rolling and observations about disease control and thatch management, water and fertility programs which have all been developed to reduce pesticide inputs and maximize playability.
