Weekend Update

Last weekend we had an electrical issue with our wells that prevented us from irrigating the golf course. The issues were the result of a varmint partially chewing through some wires in the pump house. Thankfully the turf held strong with greens being supplemented with water from our spray rig the cool temperatures kept everything in check with minimal damage. We are working to upgrade our infrastructure this off season to prevent these types of issues in the future and safeguard our ability to run each well independently. The sod on the 9th hole is continuing to mature with all the new turf being mowed this week and the fairway expansions being topdressed with sand. Our goal of opening the new bunkers for the labor day weekend seems to be within reach and I look forward to seeing how they impact the 9th hole. If your ball has landed in the sod please check the basket in the clubhouse to retrieve your ball and I thank you for staying off the sod. The greens are healing in nicely from the dry-ject and were verticut again this week. The cooler temperatures have allowed us to mow the greens a second time in the afternoons increasing their density and speed. There are many exciting events at the club during the next few weeks and I hope to see you all over the holiday weekend.

Greens being verticut before we blow and mow them

Dry-Ject Aeration

Monday we completed the dry-ject aeration practice on all of the greens, injecting 21,000 pounds of sand into the soil profile. High-pressure water blasts an aeration hole in the root zone using a shattering action to relieve compaction. Dry sand is drawn into the hole by a patented vacum effect created by the water blast. In a fraction of a second, the root zone is aerated, sand fills the hole completely and the surface is ready for play.

I ask that all players keep out of the roped off areas of sod along the 9th hole. I spent over an hour each day repairing foot prints in the sod over the weekend. Please show some respect to the grounds staff and fellow members by following the posted signs.

Dry-Jecting 9 Green

5 inches into the soil profile breaking through all the layers

Finished Product

The construction project was finished on Friday afternoon after only 5 days of work. Pavelec Brothers were able to move 300 yards of fill, 200 yards of topsoil, 70 tons of sand, 10,000 square feet of rough sod, 5,000 square of new fairway sod, 400 feet of drainage pipe, 350 feet of irrigation pipe, 3,500 feet of irrigation wire, and move an irrigation controller all in 5 days. The bunkers look fantastic but in order for them to stay that way please STAY OUT OF ANY AREAS THAT ARE ROPED OFF. If you ball lands in the sod, sand, or any areas leave it there and play another ball, there is no penalty stroke. The weather was great for construction and for golf but the sod requires a tremendous amount of water during this low humidity high sky weather so please be aware sprinklers will be running and hoses will be around the construction area. Come out and enjoy this weather over the weekend and check out the new bunkers but STAY OFF THE SOD. See you on the course. 

Construction Update

The 9th hole project will really get going on Monday following the two-day Senior Club Championship over the weekend but we have been busy this week preparing. The trees were removed on Monday while we were closed and our architect, Robert McNeil, was on property Thursday alongside our contractor to paint the features and establish limitations of disturbance. The parking lot will be the staging area for equipment, materials, and sod so please use caution entering and exiting the lot over the next two weeks. A reminder that the 9th hole will be played as a par-3 during the week while we are under construction. The greens will be dry-ject aerated on Monday August 11 marking the third season in a row the club has approved this very important agronomic process. If you have any questions about the construction please feel free to ask me, see you on the course.

Looking up 9 fairway, trees removed