"Winter Work"

With Leave cleanup at a minimum now, and cold winter temperatures arriving early in December, our focus has turned to improving conditions for the 2011 season. Underbrushing of tree lines, limbing the lower branches on larger trees, and the removal of dead trees are on going. We have started with hole #11, because of where this operation concluded on #10 the previous winter. We will continue this for holes #12 thru #18 as mother nature and time permits. The pictures below show this work, as well as some detail cleanup we have completed with ornamental beds throughout the property.

The ornamental beds around the clubhouse area have been cleaned of leaves and debris, producing a clean appearance when arriving. The ornamental beds on the golf course are in the process of being completed as well.

All trees along the right side and behind #11 green have been limbed, producing a higher canopy so that air can move freely across the surface of the green.

We have started the underbrushing and limbing operations beginning with the right side of #11. Our goal is to improve the air movement for the turf in the fairway, as well as improve the overall aesthetics of the hole.

New Cart Path Exit Regulations

Our goal is to provide an easy reference point for golfers to know to exit the fairway and improve safety by eliminating many ropes on the course. This system is more visual; however, we must rely on all golfers to follow these regulations to insure peak playability.

Ropes on the ground have been added to mark the exit point for golf carts on the fairway. Exit signs can be found on either side of the fairway too.

Please do not drive beyond, through, or around white stakes. Carts approaching the stakes should exit the fairway at that point.

Follow the rope and signs to the fairway exit point. Then drive around stake nearest the path.

Spring Improvements and Enhancements

The finished look here on hole #12 shows what the new sand does for the contrast of color between turf and sand. It definitely has changed the overall appearance of the green complex.

New bunker sand has been added to greenside bunkers on the back nine. Playability will be an issue at first, but the sand will compact with time and weather.

Three newly planted trees to the left of the blue/white tee on #16 will give the tee shot from the back tee more character and separation from surrounding holes.

Trees were planted to the left of 13 tee to develop a tree line that will separate holes #13 and #16 in the years to come. The trees that separate the holes now are continuing to age, become diseased, and die. When those trees are removed in the coming years, the newly planted trees will become the new tree line.

Aerification, Top Dressing, and Fertilization

Due to Mother Nature's unwillingness to cooperate, the greens aerification scheduled for Monday March 29 has been pushed back to either Wednesday or Thursday the 31st of March and 1st of April. When the conditions of the greens dry down enough this is the process of what we will be doing.







We will be using a .4 inch diameter tine to punch the holes in the greens this time around. We are relieving the thatch layer of organic matter that has built up during the fall and winter months. These holes also allow the release of harmful CO2 gases that are trapped beneath the thatch layer, and allows oxygen into the soil to promote new root growth for the spring.

Using this diameter size of hole will allow for less interruption in the putting surface. With a good combination of sun, rain, and warmer temps the surface should be back to satisfactory conditions within 10 to 14 days.

After the cleanup of cores on the green from the aerifier, we will apply a topdressing of sand to fill the holes with new growing media for the plant and roots. This application of sand also helps smooth out any discrepancies in the surface for better putting conditions after the green has healed.

We also apply calcium, phosphorous, and potassium amendments while the surface of the green is open, so that these nutrients can enter into the root zone and be used by the plant to help produce a new and healthy root system. The sand and amendments are brushed into the holes. (A picture of the brushing procedure will follow up with this post in the coming days)

Goodbye "Old Man" Winter!

Spring time is upon us, it wont be long til trees and flowers on the course will be in full bloom. The slow melt of 40 plus inches during the months of February and March will play a huge role in the color of the turf u will see this spring. Natural Nitrogen levels in the soil are higer than normal due to large amounts of snow.

New Bridge Constructed On Hole #17

Construction of the bridge was completed on Wednesday March 10th, with the exception of a small amount of paving to the cart path on both sides. The paving will be completed next week. The bridge is passable at this time and was opened for play on Thursday March 11th. Below are pictures of the structure:

# 17 Bridge Damaged

On Friday, January 14th, the Greens Department continued the winter tree pruning to remove dead and overhaning branches from around the golf course.



While in transport from #18 to #12 tee complex, the lift broke through the deck on the bridge over the creek on #17. Fortunately, no one was hurt and there is only minimal damage to the lift itself. However, the bridge was badly damaged.



Two crane, tow trucks had to be used to free the lift from the creek.



After the lift was removed and the bridge was inspected, it was deemed too dangerous to repair the current bridge even for temporary use. Since the accident three bridge contracting companies have come out to design a new bridge to cross #17 creek. Bids were due by February 1st and we hope to start construction early in February, as long as Mother Nature doesn't have other plans.



All 18 holes have remained open except for snow cover since the accident. The Greens Department is committeed to providing our membership with a safe, new bridge well before the season starts. We ask that after playing #17 golfers carefully turn around and drive backward through #11 and #10 to access #18. We appreciate your patience.