Winter Arrives

Well, not really what we all expect on April 15th.  Yesterday morning when I came into the club at 4:30am it was about 50 degrees, when I left at 4:30pm it was 33 degrees and snowing.  Overnight the snow continued to fall, accumulation of roughly 1.5" in total.  We don't anticipate it staying around long but it's enough to really mess up our plans.  Over the last few weeks we'd made great progress with the golf course, eventually opening on Thursday the 10th.  Seems so long ago.  Struggles continue to be faced with weather, preventing us from completing tasks and beginning our spring projects.  I really hope this is the last bout with the white stuff but rest assure we'll have more complications to come with spring rains.

Snow on April 15th.  Photo of the 14th hole as the sun comes up

The golf course is really been rounding into shape.  When we first broke from winter I had some concern of vast fairway areas showing damage.  As we've experienced some warmth and spring rains, those concerning areas have slowly recovered.  I'd say roughly 75% of the area I was concerned about 2 weeks ago have showed great improvement.  Some repair will be necessary but not as great as we'd thought.  Greens and approaches are astounding!  Unfortunate to hear of many peers facing challenges due to winter damage.  The cool spring is no help either.  3 seasons ago we voted to regrass our greens and approaches and it greatly paid off this year.  Had we not regrassed, we'd be looking at a hard uphill battle!

Warmth on Saturday the 12th.  Photo of the 1st green and approach showing great color

We continue to take each day in stride.  Planning out projects has been a challenge but soon we'll be knee deep in them.  Materials have arrived for the pond bank rehab project, and will soon begin on #3.  With being our first I'm sure it will take some time get in a rhythm and understanding.  Hopefully just a week long project at the most.  Drainage projects are to begin this week.  Touring the course through the spring we see areas that really need some help.  Checking old lines for breaks or blockage is the first step, adding extra drain lines to pick up low areas or connect piping is the second.  We are looking at spending the last few days this week and all next week addressing some of these issues.