Phase II Continued

Today the outside contractors began a great deal of their work.  The last few days with having some wet ground delayed them, today is perfect though!  Our prep work has basically finished on the front 9 and right now we're working our way through the back.  As for our responsibility, get things prepped and keep ahead of the guys laying the lines and cover for the gassing process.  I have no concern about them catching us and I anticipate us being finished tonight or possibly a few things to wrap up first thing in the morning. 
Ryan has begun their green alterations on 8 green.  Again, this is just a slight grade change on the front right to help with surface runoff.  8 green had a bit of a pocket right in the front/middle of the green where we had significant ice damage 2 springs ago.  With this grade change the water will now be able to run off the green instead of getting trapped.  Surface drainage is just as important as subsurface drainage.  Here are some photo's of the process:

Fumigation is beginning as well.  First step is getting lines and covers laid out over areas to be fumigated.  The crew anticipates it taking about 1 to 1.25 hours per area to get all lines and cover laid out.  We're shooting getting 6 greens completely ready for fumigation first thing in the morning, where the fumigation process only takes 20-30 minutes per site. 

First step is stripping sod around the green.  The area of sod stripped is the intermediate rough and then that is used to tie down the covers.

Here you can see the thin black strips across the green and approach.  These are the lines that the methyl bromide is pumped through.

Here plastic cover is being laid across the whole area to be fumigated.  The cover keeps the material in the designated area increasing its functionality and effectiveness.

Things are moving along well.  I strongly believe we're right on track.  All grading and fumigation is scheduled to be done Friday.  Covers will remain on areas till early the following week and then seeding to begin Wednesday and finished by Friday!