Tree Update

We are on the 8th day in removing the Imprelis damaged trees on the golf course.  So far 67 trees have been removed out of the 74 scheduled to be taken out.  We will have all the trees removed by next Monday.  The maintenance crew will be restoring the effected areas on the golf course next week.  The majority of the areas will be seeded, and the thin turf areas that now can see light will be over seeded as well. If anyone has not witnessed the tree work at the course below is a quick picture series showing the 90 foot tall Spruce on hole 15 coming down.
 

Cutting the notch at the base of the tree

A little push in the right direction

Safe landing
 

Photo moment

Course Update

Aerification Update

The greens crew has been working at aerifying the golf course through September.   The tees were aerified at the start of September and we were successful in aerifying the greens on Tuesday September 18th.  The fairways we have 2 left to finish, with the goal of being finished during the week of October 1.  The most impacted area of play is the greens.  The process this year removed about 40 yards of material form the greens, and replaced this with sand.  The smoothness of the greens surface are altered from this process as well it took a few days for the excess sand to settle into the grass canopy.  2 weeks have passed since the cores were removed and playability is good as the holes have started to recover and are less of an impact on ball roll. 



Fairway Aerification

Greens holes filled with sand

Tree Update

We would like to thank the membership for their support and understanding this season, as we worked through the process of resolving the tree issues surrounding Imprelis.  On September 24th we started our action plan of removing 74 trees that were dead, or an advanced declining state from herbicide injury.  So far 41of the trees have been removed.  Schilbe Tree Care has done a great job in removing the trees as well as leaving the ground around the areas effected in good condition.

Although these trees have been fixtures on the property for many years, the new look without them is open and pleasing.  This winter along side an architect, arborist and the greens committee we will be choosing tree species and strategic locations on the golf course to replant.  In many cases the trees may not be placed in the same locations but we will plant in areas which will best define the golf course for the future.

There are also other trees that were damaged from Imprelis that will not be removed at this time.  This is because the injury that they incurred was not as significant enough, and they have a chance to survive.  We will be evaluating their conditions this fall and taking appropriate measures to improve their health.  Also not to be mistaken for herbicide injury we do have trees at Forest Lake that are dying because of old age and others that need some attention.  To recapture a quality forest on the property we will also be focused on all tree needs during the upcoming years.

Here are a few pictures of the tree work.

The first tree to come down (behind 3 Green)

#3 Green after

#14 Tee

14 Tee after

Using a crane to remove Spruce behind putting green

Working on the Pine grove between 7 and 13 greens

#17 after the 3 dead Spruce were removed

#8 Bunker

The left greens bunker was in need of repair.  There were numerous factors effecting the quality of this grass face.  Sand splashing from bunker shots, invasive grasses, and finally grub activity. Below are a few pictures of the restoration process.

8 Bunker before

Removing the grass face

Boarding the edge to prevent contamination

Leveling the face with new soil

Installing Sod

Finished!