The Rees Jones Golf Course at Victory Ranch is famed for its prime setting within the high country, glimpsing views of the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains and Jordanelle Reservoir just beyond. Nevertheless, while golfers may delight in panoramic vistas throughout an 18-hole round, we know there is beauty in the course itself.

With bent grass greens and rolling fairways that ascend a natural 400-foot elevation, the Rees Jones Golf Course is immaculately maintained to ensure the perfect drive. However, what many Victory Ranch members and guests may not recognize is the verified science behind such a pristine course; and specifically: aeration.

Aeration, the process by which superintendents make holes in the greens to allow air to reach the soil beneath, is a crucial aspect of maintenance. Many golfers may find aeration bewildering when the course is in seemingly perfect condition; however, this process is necessary to relieve pressure on the soil. When this soil is compacted, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Additionally, excess organic matter inhibits root growth and depletes oxygen, which consequently leads to turf failure.

While aeration can temporarily disrupt one’s golf game, it is highly beneficial in keeping the Rees Jones Golf Course healthy and playing well. Yet, the key to a quick recovery is to perform aeration when the greens are actively growing. Therefore, Victory Ranch’s superintendents must properly orchestrate this process so as they can recover the course to its best condition in the fastest time possible. Thus, despite aeration’s short-lived interruption, it is an important step in the long-term health of a winning golf course.