Winter is Back

Weather took a dip last night and today.  It has been nice having the somewhat spring temps but now we sit in the low thirties with some brisk northern winds.  Not much outside work took place today, a chilly day allowed us to work on ballwashers some more and almost get them wrapped up for the season.  Luis and Abel have been working on the clubhouse area doing mulching as well as pruning deadwood and Buckthorn from some shrubs.  It is unfortunate that Buckthorn has taken over the Hawthorns around the pool area and has slowly been killing them.  Last fall we worked alot on removing the Buckthorn from the shrubs and in some spots things look great.  Areas where the removal looks good and the Hawthorns look good are where the Hawthorns haven't been established as long as around the pool.  Hawthorns around the pool have been there the longest so the Buckthorn has had a longer period of time to get established and take over.  Over time the Hawthorns will begin to fill in although the Buckthorn may have already done their damage and dessimated the structure and growth ability of the Hawthorns. 
Tomorrow we are hoping to get back outside to continue working on bunker maintenance.  Nathan and his crew have gotten through 10 holes as well as the Golf Center and the bunker at the Practice Tee.  We anticipate being able to wrap up the edging bunkers by early next week.  Some drainage repairs will need to be made and some addition of sand in shallow spots. 
Cleanup throughout the club has been moving along great and we anticipate being pretty close to the initial cleanup by the end of next week, weather permitting.