Project and Course Update

#18 Fairway Before

#18 Fairway After

Three trees were removed along the right side of #18 fairway to help improve playability.  This will give you an open shot at the green when you are in the 150-175 yardage range.  Before, the trees hung over the edge which eliminated a shot to the green from this distance.  Next week, we will prune up the remaining trees along the right side which will be more appealing aesthetically and give us an opportunity to get some turf in the bare areas.  This fall, we will install new irrigation pipe and heads so we can establish the turf in the area (like we did on #14 rough two years ago).  

#14 Tree Removal in Action

#14 Green After

Over the last 12 months, no area on the course has had the amount of attention like this one.  Trees were removed behind the fence as well as on the golf course to increase airflow and sunlight to the green.  We removed a total of 18 trees which allowed us to achieve our goals.  This green used to be under shade by 3 pm, but now it's been under full sun at 7 pm.  The overall plant health is noticeably improved as well as the playability.

On Thursday (26th), we mowed #14 green with our primary greens mower for the first time.  To this point, we have been walk mowing the green and stepping down the height weekly to get it to this point.  We will still proceed with caution on this green and give it a 'day off' when necessary to avoid any set backs moving forward.  

On top of the golf course duties, the crew completed a great landscape renovation at the clubhouse over the past few weeks.  With the new siding and painting on the building, the landscape looked 'tired' and was in major need of attention.  Great job!

*Click on the pictures to enlarge*

Greens Aerification: 'DryJect'

This spring, we changed up the aerification practice and went with a process called DryJect.  We went with this so we could create sand channels below our normal 3" depth.  With DryJect, we got down 4.5"-6" in depth and used approx 25 tons of sand.  This will help increase our infiltration rates in the profiles and allow them to stay firm after rain events.  Below is a descriptive picture (click to enlarge) that summarizes the process.

#14 Tree Removal

Before

Final Look from Fairway

Friday, we removed a total of 14 trees along the fence line/walking trail.  They were removed to allow more sunlight and airflow to the green.  At 4 pm on Friday, the green was still in full sun for the first time it it's life!  In a few weeks, we will plant five new trees to help fill in that open void.  We will select a smaller tree that will not affect the airflow/sunlight issue.  To view each picture in larger format, you can click each one and that will blow it up so you can see it better.

New FCO Logo Bed

HUGE thank you to the Ladies Golf Association for their generous donation which allowed us to install a new landscape bed behind #7 green.  Over the next year, these bushes (boxwoods) will blend together and we will maintain them as the FCO logo.  These projects are fun to compete as it adds a new dynamic to the course. Thank you ladies!

April Weather

I know we haven't seen many nice warm and  calm days yet, but according to the weather channel it's going to be a warm start for spring.  From everything that I've seen, it's looking like it will remain 'well above average' in temperatures throughout the summer months as well.  Hopefully we can get some timely rains throughout the season to help aide in our water bill!

Irrigation Upgrade

Old Set Up

Trenching New Wires 

New Head and Coupler

Up and Running!

                                    

Irrigation work on a golf course is a never ending job.  Over the past few years, we've spent a ton of time working and repairing the irrigation system to ensure that system is running correctly and efficiently.  Here we removed the old quick coupler on the front right of #16 green and added a new sprinkler head and new quick coupler.  The approach on #16 is a south facing slope which causes it to dry out faster than others.  This extra bank head will help us get the area the water it needs and will save us a lot of time hand watering it.  Tip of the cap to my crew for their hard work and making this is quick project.  

Season is Underway!

 

Last week, we got covers pulled and greens mowed for the first time of the season.  Coming out of winter there is always the great unknown, but we came out just fine and the course is in great shape heading into spring.  There is a lot of work to get done, but we're way ahead of where we were last season and I think everyone would agree.

#14 green has made great strides over the winter and early this year.  Today, we used small tines (1/4") on tight spacing, 3" deep.  The practice is vital in the success of this green to prevent any 'layering' in the profile.  This will help the roots continue to work their way down and strengthen the plant.  As spring rolls through, we will continue to work the green height down slowly, but can cause more damage than good if you work it down too quickly.  Aerification will be done frequently throughout the season on this green to aide in establishment.