Spring Thaw

Monday top, Wednesday middle, Thursday bottom

As we close down this second week in March, we are happy with the progress made. Temperatures have been fairly moderate, reaching into the 50's the last few days.  These temperatures have been a huge help in getting the large amount of snow pack thawed.  As of today I'd say we are about 65-70% cleared of snow.  Areas of shade are where we are seeing majority of our snow remain.  9 greens still have snow present, again due to shade not allowing the sun to get temperatures to climb.
Temperatures look to stay moderate so my hope is that we'll be at the 90% clear mark come middle of next week.

Snow melt is one spring event, the other is the frost layer.  This year frost crept pretty deep.  A cold November got it started and with minimal snow cover till February, the bare ground allowed the frost to really develop.  Right now the upper 2" is thawed.  I'm estimating we have frost down 12"+.  As the frost thaws, the ground will heave making conditions on the course soft.  Traffic throughout the course needs to be very cautious at this time as rut's and damage can easily be created and will last for some time.
With all this being said, we're still a ways off from opening.  I'm yet to make any predictions as to an opening date but conditions and weather will determine that.  Until we are comfortable with rolling and mowing greens the course will remain closed.  If we can keep these moderate temperatures going, it only benefits the course and gets us closer to opening.  All surfaces look excellent coming out of winter.  The greens that we can see look the best coming out of winter in the 7 springs I've been here at Briarwood.  The programs and the care that we put to our surfaces are showing success by producing the results we want.  We will continue to keep you updated as the spring progresses and we can get closer to opening.

9 Green about 85% clear of snow. This green receives a
large amount of sun throughout the day

3 Green about 5% clear of snow.  This green receives minimal
sun this time of year due to suns angle.  Morning sun is blocked
by Willows and trees along short game area and afternoon
blocked by trees and buckthorn to the south and southwest.