Wow, TBT 1990s on #4

 

Amazing how far golf has come.  Arcola was a wooded golf course back in the day and now it is unrecognizable.  How did prior superintendents provide great conditions with lack of sunlight and air movement?   Many would say mowing heights were higher back then which may be true, but it is all relative.  Expectations were as high as they are now but to some degree technology has changed so much that turf managers can push the envelope further with a lot more tools at our disposal.

Successful Tweak

 

Some minor water accumulated after the last gully washer mainly runoff from the faces.  Within an hour after it rained no pumping was necessary and looks like we were able to divert the water away from the bunker.

Minor Tweak to Solve a Major Problem

 

When the fairway bunker on 18 was built a lot of surface runoff entered the bunker, creating drainage and maintenance issues.  The staff raised up the area on the far side of the bunker to divert water away from the bunker.  We are hoping this minor tweak was enough to prevent issues in the future.  We will be moving on to 17 next.

Much Needed Drainage

 

The walk on area to the left of 11 green is finally being addressed.  With constant shade and heavy soils this area becomes problematic to walk through even if it hasnt rained recently.  This should take care of the problem once and for all.