6 Green Surround Changes

A few years back we removed the mound at the back left of 13 green, this was done to create a better environment for the green.  Airflow and sunlight are very important with having successful greens, especially at the heights of cut that we maintain our greens.  This fall we addressed the mounds at the back of 6 green.  Again, this has been done to create a better environment for that green, especially the back 1/3^rd of the 6^th green. 

View of new run off area looking from 7 tee to 6 green

View of new run off area looking from 6 green to 7 tee

The mounds to the back of the 6^th green created a few unfavorable conditions.  First off, the mounds blocked any bit of wind that made its way through the brush to the south/southwest of the green.  These mounds also pushed water from rainfall down onto the back of the green, when our goal is to get water off greens.  To create a better micro-environment these mounds were removed to remedy the above mentioned issues.  Along with the removal of the mounds some select removal of brush and trees were done.  Sunlight is necessary for turf to carry out its necessary life functions like respiration and photosynthesis.  The back portion of the 6^th green receives very limited amounts of light throughout the day.

 

To add a little flare to the project we made some green surround adjustments.  After removing the mounds we were creative with adding a back left roll off area which now ties into the 7^th tee.  The roll off area is the area of bare soil here in the pictures.  This spring we will be squaring off and squaring and realigning tees throughout the course, this sod will be used for the roll off area.  Once established it will be maintained to a the height of cut as our approaches.  We don’t have many areas like this on the course but through consultation with Mark Mungeam, course Architect; we thought this would be a neat addition.  The addition of this area makes for some precise shots approaching this green, especially middle left and back left pin locations.

This has been the third installment regarding fall and winter projects.  Coming in the near future will be the progress on the berm along the 5^th hole and the berm added to the left of the 6^th fairway by the 3^rd tee.  Then lastly we’ll round off with annual tree health and maintenance.  We greatly appreciate your attention as I know everyone cares for the course and would like to be informed with what’s taking place.

Pond Bank Rehabilitation

Last spring we started with our first lake bank rehabilitation projects.  These were projects taken on to prevent erosion and increase aesthetic value to the golf hole.  We’ve continued the lake bank rehab projects this fall.  I’m thankful for these last two projects were passed early, allowing us to get the projects finished before winter.  Spring is always a challenging time to do projects as weather can be questionable.  Again, these projects addressed issues like erosion and aesthetic value to the 3^rd and 14^th holes.

Pond rehab projects at 3 and 10 this spring really helped educate our crew on the process.  It’s a time consuming project but when finished really enhances the feature.  The pond on the 14^th hole was in need of the most attention, as the north side had experienced significant erosion.  Using Koir Logs, we were able to reestablish a new pond edge and help reinforce the bank.  Although not an eternal fix, it should serve its purpose for numerous years to come. 

Along with the 14^th hole we wanted to address another area along 3.  Last spring we fixed the area directly in front of the green.  Finishing that area we knew we wanted to do more on the left side of pond over along brush.  This was a quick project to tackle as the bank wasn’t all too steep requiring minimal fill material. 

These projects are always nice to tackle and complete.  They give the golf course an instant positive impact from play-ability and aesthetics.  Future pond rehab projects are to come but for the most part we have addressed our worst areas.  This is the 2^nd installment in a number of them to communicate to you what fall and winter projects have taken place and how we’re doing.

Drainage Day 2

Another day of drainage work.  The guys are pushing along as we are running out of time, forecast shows a good chance of substantial measureable snow for Saturday.  We will be moving over to 1 here in the late morning to tie in the XGD line and get that all wrapped up tomorrow.  Once that is finished we will be calling it a year!  Here are some more pics of the guys working away in the cold along number 5:

Drainage

The guys working together on adding drainage along 5 fairway.  Adding drainage here cause a great deal of water comes down off the hillside to the right of the hole and makes the beginning of the fairway pretty wet.  This will help catch that water and channel it to the lake between 5 and 3.

Never Happy

Well it was nice to receive the rain we did last night but where was this back in the end of October when we could have really used it.  I guess we'll never be happy, always finding something to be frustrated about.  Anyway, yesterday we got all the covers in place on the greens and today we are covering some of the heavily used par 3 tees.  A few drainage projects are on the books for the remainder of the day as well as the remainder of the week.  An exit line for the XGD on 1 green still needs installed which will be the first one that we tackle.  Following that we have a few localized areas where we'll place some lateral lines and catch basins to pick up some extra surface water such as the beginning left side of the approach on 4, the right side of the fairway on 6 up by the greens side bunker, and the middle of the fairway by the pond on 13.  These are areas that always hold water for awhile and a few extra lateral lines and some risers will help move that water away.  Pictures to follow.

Covers

Just a photo of one of the days tasks.  Here the guys are placing the cover on Number 5 green.  So far they've finished number 1-5.  I anticipate that we will be able to finish the front 9 today and then have to wrap up with 6 greens to do tomorrow.  

Closer and Closer to the End!

Cuco applying a dormant fertilizer application to the tees.  We're applying a product called Milorganite, it is an organic biowaste product which is a great source of organic phosphorus for the soil, something our soil is deficient in

Snow Mold Fungicide application to the fairways.  Fairways are the last areas needing sprayed.  Junior looks a little bit cold

Antonio Vargas and Ramon Loading topdresser for topdressing tees

Antonio V topdressing tees.  Just another layer of sand added to the tee surface

Some Winter Preparation

Jorge putting down a dormant application of Ammonium Sulfate, 21-0-0.  By putting the application down now the fertilizer will be available in the spring.

Continued leaf blowing and mulching.  Pretty much all trees are bare except for some select Oaks, Maples, and then all the Willows.  We'll keep mulching till the snow comes down.

13 Ladies Tee

The XGD process gave us a great deal of topsoil that can be used for different projects.  Looking at the plan from the renovation 9 years ago there were some proposed tees and complex changes that were never done.  We'd like to start working on these areas so the soil from XGD is going to be used to complete these projects.  Ladies tees are our first attack point with more forward tees on 1, 4, 5, 8, 13, and 18.

Beginning to sod the surface of the new ladies tee

Still sodding the surface and forming the surround

Surface sodded

Finished ladies tee

15 Approach Expansion

This fall we have expanded the approach area between the green and the right hand bunker.  We expanded closer to the bunker so there was less rough grass hoping to eliminate balls from getting caught up in the rough when just clearing the bunker.  This should give more a spring/bounce effect and carry balls onto the green.

15 Approach Expansion Mid Project

15 Approach Expansion Complete

11 Tee Expansion

This fall we did an in house expansion of the Blue tee on number 11.  A few reason as to why the expansion was done:
1.) The tee was very narrow in size which limited hitting area.  With the number of rounds that are played the tee had limited time to rejuvenate so this will give us more tee area to use.
2.) Better angles at locations on the green.  Now if the pin is back left it gives us the ability to place the tee markers on the right side.  This gives an open angle to that back left location.

11 Tee Expansion Mid Point



11 Tee Expansion wrapping up

XGD Process


XGD drainage step by step process:

Sod removal before trenching



Trenching Process, only process not done by hand

Open trench

Pipe laying in the trench ready for backfill

Backfilling the trench with 6:3:1 Mix

Replacing the Sod

5 Green wrapping up

12 Green Finished



10 Green Finished