In our previous Granite Bay Course Update we outlined our planned Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda expansion and the steps we took to prepare areas for re-grassing with aeration cores. This past week beginning Monday July 7th we were closed for fairway aeration in which we utilized the extracted cores from the fairway aeration process for the re-grassing of the areas we prepared the preceding weeks.
This was the first time we endeavored to expand hybrid bermuda in this fashion and we learned quite a bit from the experience. Below are pictures of the process for those who are interested.
Step one in fairway aeration is all sprinkler heads, valve boxes & yardage markers have to be flagged so aerifyer operators can lift and avoid these obstacles while aerifying. |
Second step for us is to aerate around these sprinkle heads creating a buffer zone for the following aerifyer. |
Third step is we aerify up the fairway now that we can navigate around sprinkler heads easier having aerated around the sprinkler heads ahead of this aerator. |
Step five, move the cores to the prepared areas. |
Step six was to rake the cores onto the prepared area. |
Here is the finished product after raking. |
Step seven after we have removed cores for re-grassing expanded areas we drag remaining cores for removal. |
Step eight is to remove the cores with sweepers and blowers. |
Step nine is to mow ahead of sand topdressing |
Step ten is to sand topdress the aerified fairways. |
2024 picture of the topdressor working in front of #4 green. |
![]() |
The area above circled in green is another 2024 picture showing one 4 yard load spread out on #16 fairway. |
Enrique Reyes Hureta, the man, the myth, the legend, the one behind the spreading all of that sand in 3-1/2 days. We couldn't do it without him |
The last step in the fairway aeration processes brushing in the sand. We brush all fairways twice during the process. |
What To Expect When You Return To The Club Saturday 7/14/25
When you return Saturday you will encounter freshly aerated fairways with open holes and remnants of topdressing sand. Open holes can dry the surface out so the fairways could be a bit wet in areas initially. There will be sand present so if you do not want to scratch you irons, you might consider a using older irons until the sand disperses.
Here is what the freshly aerified fairways will look like from afar. |
And a closer look you will see aerification holes which will be gone by the end of next week |