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.