Fall & Winter Seasonal Projects

As we transition from fall to the off season winter months, we have taken full advantage of the remarkable warmer temps during December. It’s pretty amazing we had 7” of snow cover at Thanksgiving. Since then the snow has melted away and our staff has been hard at work with a variety of projects.

Morning sunrise after Thanksgiving snow storm

 

 

 

Natural Stone Curbing

We have continued to expand the installation of the natural Lannon stone curbing around tees and greens. In the spring, we will add soil and raise the sod to meet the existing grade where the new stone curbing was installed

Stone Curbing around #5 tee and cart path

Stone Curbing around #11 tee along with drainage along cart path

 

 

Approach Drainage

As we strive for championship playing conditions, it has become imperative to address the installation of drainage in our Approaches that will allow for firmer and better playing conditions. We have trenched and installed 2” drain tile and back filled trenches with a sand organic mix.

Trenching for drainage installation on #2 Approach

Drain lines installed every 6’ to allow for consistent drainage throughout entire approach

2” drain tile installed and backfilled with sand organic mix

 

Sodding Greens

With the unexpected warmer temps it has allowed for us to address a few select areas on our putting surfaces that struggled through their first initial playing season. We have removed the struggling turf and replaced these areas with thick established sod that with allow for these areas to get a jump on the recovery process in the spring.

Benito installing sod to #3 green

 

 

Fairway Topdressing Fairways

One important winter preparation task is the sand topdressing to our fairways before the winter freeze sets in. This application of sand helps in the protection of the crowns of the plants through the long cold winter months.

Heavy sand topdressing applied to the fairways

Rain Rain Go Away

The 6.5" of rain in just over 48 hours proved to be more than the golf course could handle and unfortunately we were forced to close the course.  The pictures below will give you an idea of the conditions early Tuesday morning.  The good news is the course is draining well and with a little good weather and some hard work we hope to have you back on the golf course very soon.

Sunrise looking east towards the 10th fairway (above)

Taken from the Driving Range Tee looking west (above)

Hole #2 (above & below)

From the 10th green looking north (above)

Fairway bunker on the 6th hole (above & below)

5th hole "island tees" (above)

Spring Weather & 1st Mow

As expected the winter weather had little effect on the new bentgrass planted on greens, tees and fairways as part of the Renovation Plan.  As the snow melted Grounds went back to work preparing to open the golf course in early June.  TDI is set to return in mid-April to finish up cart path work and some minor sodding.  Follow along on Twitter and the Blog as we prepare to open! 

Snow melt in late March revealed no winter damage here on the 17th green or anywhere else on the golf course.

The 6th fairway after the spring thaw is in great condition.  The BBB and ProAngle sand stayed in place just as we left off in the fall.

The 1st mow on greens took place on March 20th (above).  The third mow on April 8th (below) shows some very nice green up despite the cold temperatures.

The short game area and 18th fairway were both seeded late in the fall and covered over the winter.  We removed covers on April 7th and are very pleased with the results.

A few of the shaded tees required sodding in order to be ready in time for opening.  Our crew (above) works from plywood to sod the 13th tee.

Bail areas behind 4 of the greens were also sodded early this month to 007 bentgrass.  The finished product looks fantastic! 

Winter Tree Work

The cold weather and frozen ground has allowed us to drive our  heavy equipment on the golf course and continue our Ash Tree removal and replacement program.  Several Ash trees we have removed show extensive damage from the Emerald Ash Borer.  Our goal is to remove all Ash Trees over the next several winters and phase in a diversity of new trees planted in strategic locations.  The first of these plantings will take place this spring in conjunction with the Renovation Plan.

This is the first evidence I've seen of cold weather damage.  The recent cold snap caused this tree to split.  Unfortunately we'll have to remove this tree for safety reasons.

Tunneling of the Emerald Ash Borer is evident in the photos below.