Driving Range

Today we installed New Yardage Markers and Signs on the Driving Range.

Fixing Bunkers

It takes ~7 days to edge, fix drainage, and grade to a consistent sand depth on all of the Bunkers.

New Carts being delivered.

The new carts arrived today.

Aerification

The Greens have been deep-verticut, aerified, and the holes backfilled with sand. 

Billy McQuaid blowing the sand into the holes.

Why aerify?

It's a perfect, sunny morning and you've just reached the first green in regulation. You feel great and you know you're within birdie range. Then, you see them, those little holes in the green. Arrrgh! They've just aerified the course, and it's going to ruin your round, right?
Well, maybe not. Consider the fact that PGA Tour legend Tom Watson shot a sizzling record 58 at his then-home course, Kansas City Country Club, just days after the greens had been aerified.
Consider also that aerification is merely a short-term disruption that has long-term benefits for the course. When you see them, remember that without those little holes, the greens would eventually die.
Like so many things, the quality of a good putting green is more than skin deep. In fact, the condition of a green has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. In order to keep grass growing at 1/8-inch you have to have deep, healthy roots. Good roots demand oxygen. In good soil, they get the oxygen from tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles.
Over time, the traffic from golfers' feet (as well as heavy mowing equipment) tends to compact the soil under the putting green - particularly when the soil contains a lot of clay. When soil becomes compacted, the air pockets on which the roots depend are crushed, and the roots are essentially left gasping for air. Without oxygen, the grass plants will wither and die.
Aerification is a mechanical process that creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping the grass plants stay healthy. In most cases, it's done by removing 1/2-inch cores (those plugs you sometimes see near a green or in fairways). The spaces are then filled with sand "topdressing" that helps the soil retain air space and makes it easier for roots to grow downward.
Other aerification techniques use machines with "tines" or knives that simply poke holes through the soil profile. A newer technique even uses ultra high-pressure water that's injected through the soil profile to create small holes that relieve some compaction but heal quickly.
The bottom line is that aerification is a necessary practice. But before you curse the superintendent for ruining your day, just think of Tom Watson.

Irrigation Repair

The careful art of repairing an irrigation connection between a 70 year old steel pipe and a 30 year old PVC pipe.

The Pins are in!

Getting Greens Ready!!!

Over the next couple of days the Staff will be cleaning, rolling and setting pins on the Greens.
The Greens will be open for play on Friday.
What a difference a year makes!!!

March 7, 2011

March 7, 2012

New Stone Steps

We have been slowly replacing all RailRoad Tie steps with Stone. 
This season we are replacing the Stairs on #3, #9 and #10.

Steps #10

Steps #4

Path on the 11th Tee

Today we started chipping some of the ledge on the 11th Tee. The path Will now be wider and safer.

Drainage work continues

The weather has enabled us to keep plugging along with drainage work.
#14 is complete, and we are now working on #2.

New Drain #14

Replacing the old clogged drain line going across Fourteen Fairway.

Time for Temps

The pins have been moved to temporary greens. Winter finally arrived this week.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

No Carts Today

October 24th "Drill and Fill"

The Greens are having a process called "Drill and Fill" starting October 24th.
This process is basically a machine that drills holes using a .75 inch bit on 5 inch centers to a depth of 10 – 12 inches and fills the holes with sand.  The newer drill bits that are used today are much less disruptive than in the past and leave a better finished product. Actually most Clubs in the Metropolitan area do this annually to their Greens.  In combination with our routine cultural practices this process would help the Greens drain better, enhance root growth, and create a firmer playing surface.

 During the process the Green being worked on will have a temporary pin.

Cart Restrictions

Whenever we make the decision to pull carts on the golf course it disrupts not only club operations, but also the schedules of members and guests. The usage of the club decreases and that has a financial impact.

There is only reasons to prohibit carts: to protect the Golf Course, and Golfer Safety.

We have had the wettest August/September on record and  have restricted carts more often than in most years. There is no joy in restricting cart use and it is frustrating to members, BUT for Golfer safety and protecting the memberships greatest asset it is a nececary evil.

Thanks for your patience and understanding this week!

"Short Hole Restoration"

This week the Restoration began of the Bunkers on #4, "The Short Hole", which was a Stalwart with Most Banks, Raynor, and MacDonald Designs.

The picture below of #4 is from 1930 (before the nines were switched).

73 Degrees on Friday and this on Monday!

9.52" of Rain in 6 Days

The Crew has had a pump running for the past three days to remove the new lake on #3.

Black Sand is used to help melt Ice on the Greens

Mike Cirillo putting black sand on the fourth Green.

Is all the Snow good for the Greens?

Although snow cover can be good for protecting the Greens, Ice is not.  We try to monitor the ice along the surface.  This is Billy McQuaid digging a test hole on Green #5

A thick layer of ice for prolonged periods can cause the Poa to suffocate and die.  We will continue to monitor the situation as the snow continues to pile up.