It is common for older golf courses to develop collar dams. After years of heavy topdressing much of the sand tends to accumulate on the perimeter of the green thus creating a "dam". Some greens are more noticeable than others. These dams prevent water exiting the surface. A build up of moisture on the green leads to a number of problems such as, increased poa annua populations, anaerobic soils, thin turf conditions, increased disease potential and soggy, soft greens.
When Press Maxwell built these greens in the late 1950's, surface drainage was a main factor to construction. At that time sand was not used to construct putting greens. Native soils were used and in our case it was clay. USGA green construction specifications were in the infant stages at the time, however sand topdressing after construction has been common practice for many years.
As you can tell, each dam can take some time to correct. This is truly the greatest way to accomplish our goal. Alfonso is creating magic here, removing turf and re-shaping the collars to original grade to match the green and allow for proper surface drainage and increase the health of overall turf conditions.
Last week we finished 13 green and we will address a few other greens this spring.
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