Project Update

#12 Tree Removal Project:

 

Lots of progress has been made on the tree removal project on #12 over the past week despite the ever changing conditions that Mother Nature has given us.  I wanted to share a few pics:

Emphasis has been placed on removing the smaller diameter material before addressing the larger trees.

This material is being staged prior to being mulched through a chipper

As you can see from last week's post, the view and open corridor is starting to take shape.

Stay tuned for updates and pictures to monitor the progress!

Tree Removal Project

It has been a snowy, cold winter....that's for sure in Western PA.  I saw on the news last night that the average snowfall amount as of Feb. 17 is 28 inches.  This year as of yesterday (2-17) we have exceeded 54 inches of recorded snowfall with 6 weeks of winter to go.

But let's look at the positive...

Each weekend we get to watch golf on TV to get us pumped and motivated for the season, this weekend marks the start of the east coast swings which only means we are getting closer to the season starting.

For us Southerners, the prelude to Spring is traditionally marked by this weekend with the dropping of the green flag at the Daytona 500 (which by the way marks the return of the famed #3 car, who is on the pole and the return of Josh controlling the remote from Brooke on Sunday afternoons).  Notice I said prelude and not start, we all know The Master's is when spring is truly here!

For you Pitt fans, you definitely dodged a bullet by erasing an 4 point deficit at home with less than 10 seconds to go to force overtime and eventually winning in double overtime against my beloved Hokies (who by the way are the second worse team in the ACC).  Let's face it, that would have made for a long stretch till Oct 16, when the Hokies visit Heinz field.

The Bucs report to spring training this week....I mean the word "spring" is in that statement, which has to be a sign, right?

Agronomically, the snow cover could be considered a blessing.  Although, I've only been able to see turf 3 times since Christmas.  Snow cover is mother natures protection to the colder temps, wind desiccation and helping soil temperatures.  All positives towards the Spring and the course recovering from the "Polar Vortex".

See all positives, no matter how you look at it!

 

This week, work started on the first of two contracted tree removal projects on the golf course with the removal of all material in the gully between the cart paths on #9 and #12.  The scope of this project will greatly influence airflow and light to three greens (8,11 & 12) while aesthetically creating an open corridor for visual stimulation and camaraderie surrounding the 12 tee house and players making the turn on a daily basis. 



 

 

 

Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks for updates on the progress and the start of project number #2.

Winter Update

One common question I receive during this time of year is, "What do you do when it's cold and snowy?"

Well.....

The frigid cold mornings are spent painting, staining and restoring our accessories......

Once temperatures rise, we venture on the course to conduct multiple tasks including tree removal as pictured above.  The recent snow cover and freezing temperatures provided extra cushion when dropping trees in playable areas (left side of #9 pictured above) to reduce damage to the turf.

If snow cover doesn't exist, tasks include:  Topdressing greens every chance we get, back-filling stump holes from tree removal, Re-grading/ adding gravel to service roads and cart path sections, Cleaning/Clearing brush and gullies, etc.

Selective tree removal on #13 has drastically improved the sight line for your tee shot while still providing a screen for those wayward tee shots from #12.  From an agronomic standpoint, the removal of the encroaching tee line will allow additional sun light and airflow to the tee surface to provide an healthier growing environment.

And that doesn't even scratch the surface of task and improvements that have been completed on the course over the past couple of months that await the return of the season and your next trip to the course.  Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks for updates on a major tree removal project that gets started next week!

Till then, stay warm!

Thank You

Dear Membership,

                Happy New Year!  Earlier in the week, on my anniversary start date, I received notification that I was named a finalist for Turfnet’s  Superintendent of the Year based on the nominations submitted by the members of Longue Vue that were reviewed by a national panel comprised of individuals within the turf industry.

                I am honored to be considered for such a monumental achievement ; however, I can’t take full credit because this is a direct reflection of the support cast that has surrounded me in my first year as your sixth Golf Course Superintendent.  The foundation of that support cast has been each member of the Greens Department, who bought into my beliefs and practices from the start and accepted change.  Their hard work and dedication was paramount to our success both on the course and off.  Behind every leader is an even better team!  Outside of the Greens Department, every member of the entire LVC staff and greens committee deserves credit because this is not based on personal achievements but a reflection of the entire experience that was provided to our membership over the past season. 

                I am grateful that our achievements on the course over the past season have been deemed by the membership worthy of national recognition.  It solidifies that we have one of the best memberships around to work and provide for and I'm honored to be a part of.  However, the pure beauty in my opinion, is that we have not even scratched the surface!

Thank you!

Fairways and Dreams,

Josh A. Saunders

Golf Course Update

It has been a few busy weeks centered around the Thanksgiving here at LVC, we have received two measurable snow events with a couple of inches of rain thrown in the mix. The week prior to Thanksgiving, we put a lot of emphasis on cleaning the golf course in preparation for the winter months with leaf removal throughout the property, along with applying our yearly snow mold applications to all playing surfaces for protection from prolonged snow cover during the upcoming months.  Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week were dedicated to draining and blowing out the irrigation system and water fountains.

Here is a update on some other tasks:

Woodlines:

Frosty mornings and snow cover have allowed us to put focus on cleaning woodlines to remove underbrush, dead trees and down debris that has accumulated over the years to improve aesthetics and airflow to certain areas of the golf course.  The pictures above and below give before and after shots of the woods between #2 tee and #3 green.  This is just the start of the little projects that will make a huge impact but will take years to complete and serve as perfect projects when the conditions are not favorable for us to be on the golf course. 

 

 

Ryegrass in Fairways:

 

A couple of post ago, I gave the above picture and mentioned how we have started to experiment with selective herbicides for the removal of the ryegrass that has infested many of our fairways.  The week prior to Thanksgiving we applied our second treatment to the 8th fairway which is serving as our test plot.    As you can see from the two pictures below, yellowing is occurring on the existing bentgrass in these spots and the ryegrass is no where to be found indicating that the treatments are working.  The yellowing should not be alarming as multiple factors are contributing to this discoloration and serves as the main reason we chose #8 as a test plot to monitor this upcoming season for recovery, root development and the status of complete ryegrass eradication prior to treating additional fairways.

 

Tee Identity Restoration Project:



 

Before on #8 (Back White Tee)

The warm-up this week has allowed us to continue chipping away at the project of restoring all the tee boxes to their original square design.  As of today, all of #8 is complete, with the hopes of knocking out #9 before the rain sets in on Friday.  Visually it is making a world of difference to the layout and will go a long way towards the classic design.



 

After on #8 (Back White Tee)

 

Stay tuned for our next update in the next couple of weeks....till then, Happy Shopping!