17 Tee Before and After

 

Milk Weed

 

Its our annual obligatory photo of milk weed in our native areas.  This succulent weed with fragrant flowers is very beneficial to the monarch butterfly and that is why we are leaving this weed alone for the time being in our fescue areas.  While the plants color and growth habit are starkly different than fescue, they are very beneficial.  We take great pride in the appearance and playability of our fescue areas, yet these are something we feel we can make some sacrifices for.

Fuel Tanks

 

We are officially underway with our above ground fuel tank project.  The footing for the tank pad is formed and electrical rough inspection is done.  Now the bollards are being installed and next week we will pour the tank pad.  Once the pad is cured, we will install the new tanks, wire them up and then make them operational.  At that point, we will then drain and remove the old underground storage tanks by our shop.  With the tanks located in this location, the fuel truck will not have to drive all the way up to our shop anymore and disrupt play.  While it may be a minor inconvenience for us it is a win win all around.

Bridge Builders

 

Pedro Rosa and Roberto Polanco are responsible for building most of the dry laid bridge crossings around the course and this one was done under the gun.  Considering the weather this week and our need to have this bridge done by today was nothing less than remarkable.  They did both sides in about 7 hours today after spending most of the morning getting the course playable after the heavy rain yesterday.  Both of them and the rest of my staff are amazing in getting the course in top condition and finishing the 17th hole in less than ideal conditions the past week or so, just in time for the Invitational.

Thank you!

Pump, Push, Plow...Repeat Pump, Push, Plow....Repeat

 

A relatively dry May and now since Memorial Day weekend we have taken the brunt of several big storms that have washed bunkers and cart paths, softened the course and hampered our ability to finish the 17th hole.  Between pumping and repairing bunkers and not being able to mow it has been a trying 2021 to say the least.  Not to mention the disease pressure has been extremely high for this early in the season.   With our Invitational only 48 hours away and the course inundated with water we will be grinding to get the course in tournament condition and finish the 17th hole in time.  Normally we are coasting into this event but this year we will have to push the envelope.  Lets hope the rain holds off for the rest of the week.

#%^& Mother Nature

 

Even the best plans dont work out.  We had everything prepped sealed off and knew there was a slight chance of rain this morning so we went ahead and got 2 loads of sod delivered.  About .25" fell for about an hour and a half and our finely prepped area turned into a giant mess.  Lucky the top 1/2" turned greasy and the rest was firm enough for us to get the sod laid but it took the entire crew until 3:30 to get it all done before more rain tonight.  These guys are the best.  We have another truck load and a half to lay next week along with new bridge walls and new crushed stone on the paths.  Besides hot weather, it may be dry enough for us to finish this project in time for the Invitational next Thursday.

Getting Ready For Sod

 

We know our backs have been against the wall to get the area by 17 tee done in time for the Invitational on June 10th.  Despite 3" of rain over the weekend and missed days due to the weather, we are getting our first 2 loads of sod delivered tomorrow.  We only have to hope that mother nature holds off a little on the rain so we can get it laid before the weekend.  We will have another load or two to lay next week and then finish off the cart bridge walls and we can call this complete.  We will hopefully finish under the wire next week.

Putting Course Mature

 

For a less than $5000 investment, we now have a great greens nursery for future improvements. In the meantime, we have been setting it up to be used as an 18 hole putting course and we are hoping you will come over and spend less than an hour having some fun and working on your putting.  The speeds are not quite what our greens are due to the contouring but it will definitely challenge you.