Pump House Almost Complete

Our newly renovated pump house is almost complete.  We replaced our aging pumps and control panel and had to remove the roof to crane in the new pumps.  The renovated building now has a new roof, that can be unbolted and removed if the pumps ever need to be removed for some reason, new siding and new windows for aesthetics and ventilation.  This project has been major since we had to build a road to get the pumps in, plus PSE&G had to replace poles and wires that were damaged due to Sandy and we still do not have power restored yet.  All in all, this will be a positive improvement for the golf course.

Historic Tree to Be Removed

The large Black Oak that has framed the clubhouse for over 100 years is being removed in the next few weeks.  This tree is over 125 years old and has been here longer than Arcola CC.  Unfortunately, this mammoth tree is only 10 feet from the building and has been leaning for years.  We brought in a reputable arborist from the Shade Tree Commission of Paramus to inspect the tree.  As you can see in the bottom picture, he can stick a soil probe into the base of the tree, which shows the wood is soft and rotted.  Also, there is visible decay on 3 sides of the tree and there are no roots to speak of by the practice green or under the clubhouse so there is not much anchoring the tree anymore.  He also noted that when the tree uproots, it will significantly damage the clubhouse foundation and wall and that can be disastrous.  Also, everyone walks under the tree, eats on the upper patio at night, putts on the practice green and not to mention how many children play around this area.  Knowing the tree has rot 4-5 feet up is only a disaster waiting to happen.  I am sad to see it go but will be relieved to know what could have happened if we left it.

Key Tree Removed

As many of you will see when you return, the tree on the dogleg of the 6th hole was removed last week.  This was another victim of Hurricane Sandy.  Our arborist noticed a crack near the base of the tree and also when pruning the tree noticed a crack in one of the main leads in the canopy.  Once the tree leafed out in spring and we got any significant wind, the limb would have snapped, leaving an unsightly large gap in the canopy.  More importantly, the tree twisted a bit during Sandy and we only noticed the crack the past few weeks.  Once we removed the  tree, we saw the center of the tree was hollow, which explains why it probably twisted.  We can never replace this tree immediately, so we are constructing 2 additional fairway bunkers to protect the dogleg and if you remember, we planted 3 Red Oaks last November around past the dogleg.

6th Hole Changes

Notice how different the green looks on #6.  The bunkers were deepened and snugged in tighter to the green along with removing the mounding and trees behind the green give the green a more "perched" look.  We also added the ditch along the left side to help move water off the fairway and rough.

#6 Green Looks Different

Erosion Problem Fixed

This pond bank has been eroding for years and we finally cleaned it up.  This took away from the overall appearance and health of the pond and actually was unsafe as the peninsula had sinkholes all throughout from muskrats and rotted tree stumps.

Tree Stumps Removed

The process of removing all the uprooted tree stumps is completed.  Approximately 11 stumps had to be excavated using a large machine since the stumps were out of the hole and too heavy to put back in.  Every stump hole will have to be filled with soil and either seeded or sodded.  In this picture of the 3rd tee, we will have to replace some of the damaged landscaping and also fix a section of cart path as well, so this is a big job.

3rd Hole Progress

The 3rd hole is slowly transforming.  We have constructed 7 new bunkers with 1 fairway bunker left to build.
We also expanded the green by 2000 sf and created a new pinning location in the back right.
We have added a black tee and will rebuild the remaining 4 tees.
We are still to construct a ditch on the left side of the hole that will be used to drain the fairway and move our well water to the pond.
The hole will look and play totally different when completed.  More strategy is required off the tee and into the green, but the tee shot will dictate how the hole will be played.

Pump House Construction

The new roof is almost framed on the pump house.  The old roof had to be removed to crane out the old pump station and install the new one.  The new roof will be able to be removed and put back in the future if we need to ever replace pumps etc.  We are also adding better ventilation, new siding and 2 windows.