First, we had scheduled to begin aerifying tees on Tuesday, but with the expect weather during the middle of the week, we called an audible and put the full court press on mowing the golf course and beginning the project on #3 back tee. However, we were able to get a verticut and groom on all tees on Tuesday prior to the rain setting in. Next week, we will begin aerifying tees and approaches hole by hole throughout the week.
#3 Back Tee
The renovation of the back tee on #3 began Monday morning with the process of cutting and stripping the sod for the entire area that work was taking place. The objective of the project was to create much needed tee space to one of the smallest tees on the course that is beaten throughout the year due to being a par 3. The overall project will call for the teeing surface to be dropped about 2 feet gaining length both to the front and back of the existing tee while almost doubling the overall width. Below are some pictures and description outlining the completed work:
Here is the old tee
Once stripped, take notice to the grayish color in dirt (that was the existing tee outline) as I slowly take it back and begin to drop
Good picture from behind to really showing how much space we are gaining as a reference
The process of dropping the tee height
Looking from front to back in how much space has been gained (the dark clump in middle of pic is the back of old tee)
This pic is taken from the exact location of the first picture, if you scroll back up...notice that the new tee surface is the entire width of the pic.
Picture showing the amount of dirt that has been moved
The rain (over an inch) on Wednesday hindered progress up to this point, with being this close to subgrade, we will begin shooting the grade of the actual tee surface over the weekend and begin manipulating the contours around the tee for drainage purposes towards the middle of next week. Stay tuned for updates....
XGD Installation
XGD made it on property and got started around 9:00 am on Wednesday morning. They started on #15. The projected order will be 15,17,18,10,11,8,7,6,5. Please keep in mind that the hole that they are working on will be closed for that day, I have made an alternate hole from the top tee on the driving range to the chipping green for those that need to finish a round or maybe just settle a bet because 17 holes wasn't enough. Please check with the Pro Shop before the start of your round for the hole closure that day.
Below are some pictures from their first day on the course:
Measuring the diameter of the green
Shooting the grade in 5 ft increments off the center line
Stripping the sod by hand
Removing sod
Stripped line
Trenching
Removing existing mix
Drain pipe in mainline with inlets for lateral lines every 5ft
Backfilling and Tamping
Returning the sod
Overlook for the layout on #15
I would anticipate #15 being buttoned up either this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning. The crew will the move to #17 to begin the process.
Ryegrass Eradication Program:
In closing, I wanted to take a quick second to update everyone on the continued process in the ryegrass eradication program that has been implemented over the past two Falls. I you remember from previous blog post, I conducted test plots in our 8th fairway last fall using different selective herbicides at different rates to take out in infestation of ryegrass in our playing surfaces without effecting the bentgrass. Three weeks ago we pulled the trigger on our first application to the entire property and the results are really starting to show (take notice to the yellow blotches in below pictures).
#18 Fairway
#6 Fairway
Our second application will be in a couple of weeks. This program will continue over the next couple of years each fall as we hope to slowly reduce the population over time to provide a consistent playing surface.
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation with all task conducted by the Greens Department, as we continue to build towards the future while improving on the day before!
No comments:
Post a Comment