18 Approach...Update 5/18/12

The contractor was able to complete the site prep (aka Tree Removal) of #18 today so the hole will resume normal play for both days this weekend.  There is a small amount of cleanup work remaining, but the contractor will be here early tomorrow morning and should be off property by the time the first groups are finishing.  For anyone who witnessed the removal process today, you have to be impressed with how quickly and efficiently the project was completed.

18 Approach...Update 5/17/12

Site preparation for 18 approach begins Friday morning (5/18), and for the safety of you and your guests a temporary green will be used at the end of the fairway.  The cart path will still be in service for exiting the hole, but please use caution and be aware of the work being done in that area.  Should the contractor not be able to complete the work on Friday, the temporary green will remain on Saturday.  I will post an update tomorrow regarding the status of the hole for the weekend.

Practice Bunker

The newly renovated bunker at the chipping green will be open for play on Saturday 5/19.  It's been closed to allow the new sod time to establish a root system that can support foot traffic and maintenance.  The grass face along the chipping green is most likely to be damaged from foot traffic, so please refrain from using the face to exit the bunker.

Take a look at the before and after pictures of the bunker below.  The difference is amazing!



Before



After

18 Approach

The rough around #18 green has been sprayed with a herbicide to kill the grass in preparation for the renovation project.  The work is being done by Fore Front Construction, the same contractor who is currently on site installing drainage and leveling tees.  Tree removal is scheduled to start next week, and  earthmoving will start the following week.  Several trees need to be removed to allow the cart path to shift left to improve playability left of the green and bunkers.  New irrigation and drainage will be installed immediately following shaping, and the entire area will be sodded.  The contractor anticipates the entire process taking 2-3 weeks depending on the weather, but once construction begins a temporary green will be used at the end of the fairway before the pond to allow the contractor to work uninterrupted.  For certain outings and member events the hole will play as normal, and the construction area will be treated as Ground Under Repair.  A drop area will be provided and clearly marked along the back of the green.

13 Green

The front of #13 green has been holding an excessive amount of water lately and we believe the internal drainage is not working, or the water is somehow not able to reach the drain lines.  The excess moisture has created an anaerobic black layer (lack of oxygen) that inhibits root growth and if left untreated will eventually cause turf loss.  As a short-term solution, we brought a contractor in on Monday with a machine called a Water Wick that cuts very coarse sand into 10 inch deep slits in the rootzone.  As the name implies, the narrow veins of sand will wick (pull) the excess moisture from the rootzone and allow it to exit the greens cavity by following a path of least resistance.  After the Water Wick process was completed, the same contractor aerified the area with 1 inch diameter by 10 inch deep coring tines and the holes were filled with dry sand.  We then aerified with our machine to a 4 inch depth to remove additional material, and again backfilled with dry sand.  As with any invasive process the disruption to the putting surface cannot be avoided, but the turf should be healed in 7 to 10 days.  As the saying goes "You have to break a few eggs to make an omelette!"


Installing sand veins

Prior to aerification

Filling 10" deep aerification holes

Ready for play!

Course Update 5/9/2012

As of this morning, the course has taken on 2.4 inches of rain since Monday afternoon.  The greens are dry enough to be mowed and rolled, and washouts are being repaired in the bunkers.  Fairways and roughs are still very wet and will remain cart path only.  The good news is the weather forecast looks promising going into the weekend and all the ponds are full!