Update on Repair of Green Edges

Over the past three years we have reduced the amount of poor turf on our green edges from 40% to less then 15%. This is still unacceptable and we are working to improve on this measurement. Efforts to increase sunlight and air flow on #3 green will certainly help this area which is particularly bad.

Currently we are cutting out the poor areas on greens #3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #12, #14 and #17 to a depth of 4 inches.

Previously when this was done we used straight sand then added our own amendments. This time we are purchasing the greens mix with the amendments already pre-blended. By doing this we will have a firmer base with the proper amount of infiltration rate to match the rest of the green.

The harsh winter has delayed the availability of greens height Bentgrass sod. Yesterday's rain storm has further delayed the cutting of the sod at the sod farms. The earliest we expect to have sod is Tuesday. In the meantime we hope to have everything prepped and ready to go by then.

Storm Update-May 1, 2014

We received 5.75 inches of rain over the past 36 hours. Besides bunkers the course has held up well. There was standing water on #8 green so this morning we are taking a hose to wash the silt off. Our goal is to get greenside bunkers repaired first before moving on to fairway bunkers.

Weekly Schedule for April 28-May 4, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-Pour concrete on cart path between holes #2 and #3. Also pour concrete where cart path was cut for electrical line installation next to #3 green
-Bamboo removal next to #2 fairway
-Clean-up of area to left of #7 left side fairway bunker
-Remove weak turf areas in greens for sodding. Currently due to the harsh winter the sod farms will have greens height bentgrass sod after May 1st.

Weekly Schedule for April 21-27, 2014

Weather and unforeseen conditions can/will change the schedule.

-On Monday we will cross tine greens (not taking plugs) then topdress, apply soil amendments and water in
-On Friday we will remove the broken concrete located on the cart path from #2 to #3 (next to #11 Blue tee). Plywood will be placed for the weekend and concrete poured on Monday, April 28th there and where the cart path was cut on #3
-Continue removing bamboo to the left of hole #2 to our property line
-Mark and prep areas to be sodded

Installation of Fan at #3 Green and Blue Pipe in Fescue Areas

We are working on running electrical conduit from the control panel for the well on #4 to behind #3 green. So far the digging has gone well.

Unlike the fans on #8, this fan will be 14 inches larger (thus reducing the need for two fans) and will not have a pole sticking out of the ground during non-use times in the Spring, Fall and Winter. Once the fan is removed only a plastic box flush with the ground will be seen.

For additional information on the benefits of fans for greens please click on the link for this short article in a recent Golfdom Magazine issue.

Golfdom-Fan Article

We have been installing PVC pipe painted blue in Fescue areas.

We are marking the location of irrigation valves so they may be quickly found and turned on or off when a repair is needed. Depending upon the height of the Fescue in the summer we may shortened the pipe as needed.

Fairway Aerification Holes

This week we will begin mowing fairways. Along with cleaning them up this will promote more lateral growth which will fill in the old aerification holes from last Fall. With the harsh winter we had not all the aerification holes closed. This is actually not bad as the freezing and thawing of the soil has had a fracturing effect giving us some additional benefits. With sunshine and warmer weather the fairways should be filled in shortly.

Bamboo, Cart Paths and Bunkers

We are removing as much of the bamboo to the left of #2 fairway as possible. This is a time consuming process to cut then chip but it will make a big difference on this hole when completed.

A couple of cart path repairs are occurring now. Prep on #8 and #18 is almost complete and we will pour concrete when we are confident there is a day with acceptable weather. Once those are finished we will move to replace a piece between #2 and #3 next to #11 tees.

The cart path on #8 which was buckled up had a large root underneath.

This is what we pulled out.

With the root removed and new concrete being poured there will no longer be a bump when riding along this path.

Currently our staff is edging all bunkers and making sure the sand depth is consistent throughout the bunkers. This is a time consuming process and our hope is to have it done by Tuesday of next week,

If the weather cooperates our first greens mowing will be tomorrow (Thursday).