Verti-drain machines have probably been around for 20 years or so and many clubs actually have their own.  The principle is similar to regular aerating except this machine will get down below the sub-soil layer that is created by conventional aerification.  Over time this will allow water penetration and deeper rooting to be enhanced.  We may well be one of the last clubs anywhere to do this operation.

The contractor, Doug Steinhoff out of Simcoe is getting the tines a good 7" into the soil, considerably deeper than our own machines can do, and we are not seeing much disturbance of the turf.  My concern was the number of large rocks we encounter when changing holes, and how they might affect the job.  Doug is aiming to work all day and get perhaps 12 or 13 greens done today, and finish the balance on Thursday.  We are following in behind with a heavy topdressing, matting, rolling an fertilizing with some potash (potassium).