17

The rough on the left side of 17 has been a chronic wet area.  This hole is slated to have drainage done throughout this fall.  We decided to dig a drain line in the rough on the left side of the hole.  Upon digging up the area, we found an old drain that was cut during the irrigation installation back in 2005 and never repaired properly.  Water was literally sitting under the soil.  We installed a new drain line in this area to alleviate this problem until we can address the entire hole this fall.  Sometimes it is the little simple things that make the biggest difference.

Just In Time

It was a busy Tuesday for the staff.  We were able to get all 22 loads of mix into the new practice green and lay 2 loads of sod to stabilize all the slopes before the rain today.  Greens mix is floated, compacted and pretty close to being ready for sod.  Irrigation will go in tomorrow and Friday and next week we can sod the green and move on to finishing around 18 green. 

Finally!

My anxiety is getting the best of me with this never ending project.  We had one sunny day this week to get the drainage in the green and now today we will be installing the gravel blanket.  Mother Nature has surely not made this project easy with several snow events along with a 3" rain this past week and another rain event yesterday.  We have a little help today from Donahue Contracting to get the cart path base in so at least we can get carts to and from the range.  Weather looks good next week and we are going to hit it hard.  Have to install all new irrigation on 18, new practice green and the clubhouse area and get sod prepping done.  Not to mention all the new bunkers have to be reshaped and a lot of drainage and sod.  Once this is done, we head up and remove our current practice green.

Must Be Spring

Controlled chaos in April like most years.  Construction, dryject and verticutting fairways keeping the crew busy.  Most of the major agronomic programs are done, leaving just aerifying tees left to do.  The fairway verticutting will be done by tomorrow and then we will topdress them for the weekend.  The construction of the new practice green and 18th green complex we are hoping to have completed by the first week of May.  Once we get the okay from the architect we can start finishing things up.  We are looking at probably 6 loads of sod to get everything buttoned up.  The practice green will be sodded as well and will open by our Invitational the first week of June.  Once this project is completed we will move up to the clubhouse and remove the old practice green, level the area and create a nice lawn area for events.

Keeping the Tree

The white pine between the 9th hole and the barn hole was damaged by the snow storms in March and we were going to cut it down until we noticed an active hawks nest at the top.  So for now we pruned off all the damaged branches and while it looks like a broccoli stalk we will keep it around for a while.

Irrigation Is Up and Running

The irrigation system is up and running for Monday.  Besides these 2 breaks start up went easy.  Looks like both swing joints were cracked and unfortunately we didnt see it until 2 craters were created.  Just another headache of many this spring.

Practice Green Project

The practice green project is underway.  While we stockpiled the necessary fill the past few weeks to complete the project, today was step 1 before we start shaping.  The cart path located behind 18 green was removed, all irrigation around 18 green was removed and the bunker sand is being pulled out along with liners.  The next step is to strip all sod around the green and we can start to shape in the new bunkers, green expansion and new practice green.  We decided to tie the new practice green into the surrounds of 18 green so it makes sense to finish all the work in this area now to avoid doing work twice and to keep costs down.  While this will keep us really busy the next 4-6 weeks, the finished product will be very good. 

Update

Depending on weather, we will try to start to aerify greens this Thursday.  Green surfaces should be clean by then as long as the greens are not too soft.  We will keep you posted on our progress.  Most likely the golf course will reopen on Friday afternoon or Saturday.

Come On Spring!

Aerifiers are ready to go!

Mother Nature....ISNT!