Major Rain Event

Drainage ditches overflowing left of #1 green

Preparations for reopening were interrupted by three consecutive days of rains. Total rainfall of 4.5" was recorded this past weekend and over 8" since August 22nd. The heavy rain caused washouts in bunkers as well as washed newly laid mulch and created lots of leaves and debris throughout the course.

More importantly it caused a flush of growth and coupled with delaying our mowing cycles, there is now a lot of scalping of turf on greens, tees, fairways and in the rough. All of this will grow out of course but will certainly impact the aesthetics of the course in the near term.

Drainage #13

Upon investigating a wet spot on the front of #13 we found that the entire green complex drainage ended in a crude drywell behind the retaining wall. The water was expected to drain down through the wall. With age and contamination of the gravel, the system failed.

 

In order to correct the problem, we have run the pipe through the wall so that it empties directly into the pond. This simple fix will function well for many years to come.

Week Seven

Over the past week, the TifGrand collars have rooted well and the hand watering requirements have lessened. Aerification and topdressing of greens is done and the recovery is going great. Mowing heights have continued to be lowered on greens and collars. A heavy topdressing was applied to collars are well.

Lime Application

A lime application has been completed. In 2009 when IGM took over maintenance responsibility, the pH throughout the course was not in the optimum range. Through diligent testing and management the soil health including pH has been improved. The overall improvement in turf health shows this as well.

Greens Aerification

Aerification of greens has been completed. Thatch management of TifEagle is necessary to maintaining a high quality playing surface. Turf professionals don't enjoy this process any more than golfers do but it is a critical part of turf health and sustainability.

Week Six

Progress continues and its starting to look like a golf course again...

Mowing TifGrand Collars

The dense, TifGrand sod creating the encroachment collar is proving to be a challenge to mow down to height. In addition to successively lower heights, regular topdressing will take place.

Bunker Work Underway

With the sod work at number seven green and encroachment collars complete, focus can be turned to completing this year's bunker re-nourishment program. A focus this year is to better control water flow into and around the bunkers at number fifteen green which has caused erosion and contamination. The erosion problem on number sixteen will also be addressed as well as improving the edges and contour of number seventeen.

Number Seven Green Surround & Encroachment Collars

The rough at both the right side and back left corner of number seven green has been graded and sodded.

All of the TifGrand encroachment collars have been sodded as well. Number seven collar has rooted well enough to get its first mowing. It will take some time to get mowing heights down to our target height. Regular topdressing will also be needed to create a smooth, consistent transition onto the putting green.

Week Four

Mowing height has been further reduced with vertical mowing, spiking, topdressing and rolling continuing as scheduled. Though pretty slow, the greens are rolling pretty smooth.