Course Conditions

All the greens were rolled on Wednesday.  The greens were mowed on Thursday with the exception of #17 and the putting green.  The greens will be put in to play for this weekend.  Notification will be made to the pro shop, who will up date the membership on the course and golf cart status.

Club House Grounds Maintenance



Sand Washing out from
under cement slabs

       There is an ongoing problem with the Gator Grill / Staff entrance.  Water is finding a way to get under the cement slabs out side the Gator Grill.  This water is then under-mining the sand and gravel sub-base.  This is creating a void under the slab area.  The material (shown in photo) finds the path of least resistance and ends up at the bottom of the stairs.  As the problem progresses we find more and more sediment at the bottom of these stairs.  The slabs should be lifted to explore the problem.  At this time the sub-base would be restored and cracks re-sealed.

 

Sand Stone Wall Collapse



Sand Stone Wall Restoration

     The sandstone walls are also effected by the weight of the landscape and water above.  The bottom wall collapsed (shown in photo), during the last spring rain.  This is a typical problem with this type of wall, as the stones are layered on top of one another with no anchoring supports.  There is maintenance involved every few years to realign walls that have shifted.



Club House Grounds Maintenance

Brick Repair

The brick work in front of the valet area was disturbed last year when we were repairing the ease trough drain system.  The roof drain system would back up during significant rainfalls.  The drainage system at the front of the club travels underneath the brick work down to the loading dock area.  After having the drainage system routed we found that there was a blockage in the drain line under the bricks.  We repaired the drain line in the fall and this spring restored the brick work.



Greens Drainage Trenches

The sod has been placed back in the trenches of the greens that itwas removed from, improving drainage during the winter.   The sod over wintered well in the sand traps, and successfully transferred back into the greens.  The sod was tamped down and top dressed.  As the temperatures warm up through the spring the sod will knit in and it's appearance will blend back into into the green.  These trenches will have minimal effect on play, when the greens are opened for golf.

Tarps #6 and #18 Greens

                                   (photo's of #18 Green March 17th, 2011)

We put tarps down on #6 and #18 greens in the fall.  These tarps are semi-permeable, allowing water to pass through the tarp onto the greens surface.  The reason why these 2 greens were tarped, was to prevent wind desiccation through the winter.  Set on top of a hill, the winter winds dry out these greens sites, damaging the turf.  The tarps were removed March 17th to prevent a significant heat build up and a flush of growth during spring warm-up.  The turf underneath the tarps, was in good health.

Equipment Maintenance

The maintenance crew are working on sharpening the reels and getting them in adjustment for spring.  Reel type cutting heads consist of 2 parts to sharpen, the reel (Photo on left) and the bed knife.  These 2 pieces work together in cutting the grass blades as they pass in between.  They are sharpened twice a year, and adjustment checked daily to achieve a quality cut.  During winter maintenance all bearings and bushings are checked and replaced if worn.

#1 Tee - Shrub Pruning

                                                            We pruned 2-3' off the top of the Burning Bush    

along side of #1 Men's  Tee Box.  This plant material had over grown it's desired height and size.  By hand pruning the shrubs at 5-6' it will force the plant to produce more buds this season.  The results will show a fuller and healthier plant.   

    We will also be planting 5' Burning Bush along the fence between the 1rst Tee and walkway to the range.  This planting will blend in well with the existing plant material and provide a visual screen between the tee and range traffic.

Course Conditions

 

#9 Green



#11 Green

 

      Photos taken on March 10th, 2011.  These pictures show how 2 greens react differently as snow melts and water moves off the green into the golf course drainage system. Factors to consider during snow/ice melt include:

Quantity of snow and ice on each individual green

Temperatures and time to melt

Slope of the green (speed at which water can move before re-freezing, accumulation of moisture in valleys)

Surrounding area (how water moves onto and off the green)

Trees surrounding the green (shade and how much quality sun exposure)

     We put Milorganite (a black organic fertilizer) on top of the thick solid ice on #11 Green, #13 Green and #8 Green with a hand spreader.  These 3 greens had significant "solid" ice build up compared to the rest.  The dark color of the fertilizer attracts the sun and heat, speeding up the melting process.



Winter Maintenance

        The maintenance crew is in the process of winter maintenance of the triplex machines.  A Triplex is a 3 reel mower, that has a variety of reel options to preform different golf course tasks.  These machines are responsible for cutting greens and tees, as well as rolling and verti-cutting.  The machines are broken down and inspected for wearing parts (Shown above in the maintenance building).  At that time the machines have fluid changed, painted and waxed ready to go for the spring.  

Course Conditions




Drainage #13 Green



Drainage #11 Green





There was significant melting of snow on the course last week with a couple of rain events and weather that stayed in the low 30's.  Photo of #13 Green was Taken on March 5th, 2011 and shows the significant water movement through the drainage trenches cut into the greens.  The Photo of #11 Green was taken on March 7th after a 2-3" wet snow fall, along with the rain created porous ice on the greens as well as in the greens drainage trenches.  The ice is approximately 0-1.5" thick which varies from green to green, along with a couple of inches of snow cover on top.