Meet Brickshire’s Unofficial Goodwill Ambassadors: Bogey & Blue

 

If you’ve played a round at Brickshire, chances are you’ve seen two energetic, curly-haired figures zipping around the course. Meet Bogey and Blue, our mini golden doodles and Brickshire’s unofficial goose patrol, morale boosters, and goodwill ambassadors.

 Bogey (4 years old) and Blue (3 years old) are brothers—born to the same parents but from different litters. They’ve been with me since my time at Kingsmill and have fully embraced the golf course lifestyle. Whether it’s a morning ride in the cart, a midday goose chase, or an evening belly rub session, these two have made themselves indispensable members of the maintenance team.

 

More Than Just Goose Chasers

 Geese can be a major nuisance on a golf course, leaving behind droppings and damaging the turf. While traditional deterrents have mixed results, Bogey and Blue provide a natural solution—and they think it’s all a game. Their presence alone keeps the geese uneasy, and their playful but determined chases ensure the birds keep moving.

 But their role at Brickshire goes beyond just keeping geese at bay. A good golf course dog is also a morale booster and a bridge between maintenance staff and golfers. They bring a level of positivity to the entire team, breaking the tension during stressful days and keeping spirits high.

 

A Friend to All

 Being a golf course superintendent isn’t just about turf—it involves managing staff, handling projects, dealing with administrative challenges, and sometimes even navigating course politics. Bogey and Blue are blissfully unaware of all that. Instead, they offer the perfect, well-timed distraction when things get stressful.

 They’ve also become a favorite among golfers and members. They are a conversation starter, an icebreaker, and a familiar friendly face. Whether it’s golfers who stop by for a quick belly rub or staff members who enjoy their morning greeting, Bogey and Blue create connections in a way that no machine or piece of equipment ever could.

 

Part of the Brickshire Family

 Bogey and Blue aren’t just golf course dogs; they’re an integral part of Brickshire Golf Club. They’re here at sunrise, ready to ride along and check on course conditions. They keep the geese in check, make everyone’s day a little brighter, and remind us to take a moment to enjoy the outdoors. 

 So next time you’re at Brickshire and see them cruising in a cart or sprinting across a fairway, give them a wave—or better yet, a belly rub. They may not have an official job title, but there’s no doubt that Brickshire is a better place with them around.

 

The Ins and Outs of Managing Creeping Bentgrass (and Poa Annua) Putting Greens at Brickshire

 At Brickshire Golf Club, our putting greens are a blend of creeping bentgrass and Poa annua, requiring a management approach that balances the strengths and weaknesses of both species. Bentgrass thrives in full sun with good drainage, while Poa annua is more opportunistic, often taking over in stressed or shaded areas. To maintain firm, consistent playing conditions, we continually refine our agronomic practices based on data collection, soil testing, and real-time turf performance.

Optimizing Growing Environments

Creeping bentgrass performs best with ample sunlight, good airflow, and well-draining soils. However, shade from trees and poor drainage can create conditions that favor Poa annua encroachment. That’s why we are proposing selective tree removal in 2025 to improve morning sunlight exposure on key greens. Increased sunlight will enhance bentgrass health, reduce frost retention in colder months, and promote firmer, more resilient putting surfaces.

Drainage is another ongoing challenge. While our greens were originally built with drainage, over time, black layer development and high nematode populations have contributed to weaker turf and increased summer stress. To address this, we are proposing to implement HCT Water Solv in 2025. This irrigation treatment system is designed to combat salt accumulation, improve soil structure, and enhance water movement—all factors that should help creeping bentgrass outcompete Poa annua.

                                             

                                        

Data-Driven Agronomic Practices

Since October 2024, we have been collecting and tracking clipping volume on our greens to better understand turf growth patterns. Clipping yield data allows us to make informed decisions on nitrogen applications, plant growth regulator (PGR) rates, and mowing frequency to maintain smooth, consistent surfaces. This data-driven approach helps us prevent excessive thatch buildup while ensuring we don’t overregulate the turf, especially during stress periods.

Our Predictive N program, implemented on greens since September, further supports this effort by fine-tuning nitrogen applications based on actual plant demand. In 2025, we plan to expand this approach to tees and fairways, ensuring consistent turf health across the course.

                                     

Managing Bentgrass and Poa Annua Balance

One of our biggest challenges is managing the differences between creeping bentgrass and Poa annua. Bentgrass has a lateral growth habit, requiring regular grooming, brushing, and topdressing to maintain smoothness. Meanwhile, Poa annua grows more upright and has an aggressive seedhead production cycle, which can negatively impact ball roll if not controlled.

To manage Poa, we rely on a combination of plant growth regulators (PGRs), water management, and fertility adjustments. Paclobutrazol and flurprimidol are key PGRs that help suppress Poa without overly restricting bentgrass growth. However, we adjust application rates based on weather conditions to avoid excessive stress. Additionally, because bentgrass is more drought-tolerant than Poa, precise irrigation practices help us maintain firm conditions that discourage Poa invasion.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, our goal is to refine our greens management strategies even further. With continued clipping volume tracking, predictive nitrogen applications, and potential implementation of HCT Water Solv, we are focused on improving turf resilience, playability, and long-term bentgrass health. By combining agronomic best practices with real-world data collection, we are committed to providing the best possible putting surfaces for our members and guests at Brickshire.

See you on the course!

Brickshire Golf Club Maintenance -Greens Aerification Schedule for 2025

 

At Brickshire Golf Club, our goal is to provide the best possible playing conditions throughout the year. One essential practice that supports this goal is greens aerification. While the term might bring to mind images of hole-filled greens and temporary disruptions, aerification is a critical process that ensures the long-term health, playability, and consistency of our putting surfaces.

2025 Greens Aerification Dates:

• Spring Aerification: April 14-15 (Course Closed Both Days)

• Fall Aerification: September 15-16 (Course Closed Both Days)

Why Aerification Is Essential:

Aerification helps relieve soil compaction caused by foot traffic and mowing equipment, promote deeper root growth, improves water infiltration, enhances oxygen exchange, and reduces thatch buildup. All these factors contribute to firmer, healthier, and more consistent greens throughout the season.

Without regular aerification, even healthy-looking greens can deteriorate beneath the surface, leading to weaker turf, poor drainage, and increased susceptibility to stress, disease, and extreme weather conditions. In fact, the presence of healthy turf within old aerification holes often provides critical evidence of its benefits when diagnosing turf issues.  

Why We Chose These Dates:

• Spring (April 14-15): By mid-April, the greens will have resumed active growth, allowing for quicker recovery than if aerification were done earlier when turf is still dormant.

• Fall (September 15-16): Early to mid-September provides ideal growing conditions for recovery, with warm soil temperatures, adequate sunlight, and reduced summer stress.

Expected Recovery Time:

With proper weather conditions and post-aerification care, we anticipate recovery to be 10-14 days for both the spring and fall aerifications. During this period, green speeds may be slightly slower, but conditions will steadily improve as the turf heals.

We understand that aerification can be an inconvenience, but it is a necessary investment in the health of our greens and the overall quality of your golf experience. Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to maintain and improve the course.