Tee Markers Completed!

With the course being re-rated last summer, we eliminated the 'white' set of tees and will have two sets moving forward.  This layout was done all of last season and worked out great.  As you can see below, we took this time to overhaul the markers and make them perfect.   Every year, we would sand and paint them, but being out in the elements they would look 'tired' by the end of the season.  Last winter, we spent six weeks to complete the restoration....that's a lot of man hours!  This year, I got the logo lasered in a piece of brass that we adhered to the original tee marker and protected the face with an application of spar urethane.  They look amazing and will give us the consistent look all season long with minimal yearly maintenance.        

                   

A Few Winter Projects

Below are a few before & after pictures of some projects that we've been working on.  The first is our pull-behind sprayer (Bean Sprayer) that Austen completely stripped down and re-painted.  The sprayer is from the 1960's and was in desperate need of a make over.  It turned out great and is ready for use this spring.

Here you see the restoration of our yardage markers that sit along side the fairways.  We sanded them down to the bare wood, re-stained (3 coats) and re-painted the tops/numbers  to give them the final look that you see below.  A lot of time goes in to the amenities that you see around the course.  These are the finishing touches that can set a course apart from others and it's something that we take great pride in here at FCO.

Andy's Shelf:  This new shelf was an idea that Andy came up with in order to keep our chemical records organized in the newly restored chemical room.  It's mounted on the wall and has a swing down shelf that will be used to record chemical applications on.  Little touches like this make our operation more organized and are very practical in our department.  Good work Andy!

#7 Tree Work: Before/After

As the winter months move on, we continue to make progress on the tree plan for 2017.  Below are before and after pictures of the area directly right of #7 green.  We removed two Ash trees that were crunched between an Oak and a Maple.  Once the Ash trees were removed, we pruned up the remaining trees to finish off the area.  This will help the turf in that area as sunlight will be able to reach the surface.  In the coming month, I will compile the complete before/after images and post what was completed over the past several months.  It is amazing at the difference we've been able to make over the past five years as we continue to work down the list on our tree plan.  This will be a never ending battle at FCO due to the quantity of trees, but as we finish up the removals we will get aggressive with a pruning plan and continue moving forward.

#7 Tree Work In Progress

                 

              

Finished Product

Winter Work Update

Time to get back to the daily grind after the holiday season!  Things at FCO are in full force as we continue to get items crossed off the 'to do' list.  In the shop, we are working on the course amenities (benches, tee markers, yardage posts, bunker rakes, etc.) and Bill is busy working on the equipment and making sure everything is ready to rock for the season.

Andy putting the finishing touches on the benches

On the course, we're plucking away at our list for 2017 winter tree work.  We are off to a great start on our list, but got a long ways to go.  There have been some removals (mainly Ash trees), but you'll notice a lot of heavy pruning that's been done as well.  This is a never ending task, but we continue to prioritize a yearly list and knock out everything that we can.  We have made HUGE progress in my five years, and this year will be no different.  

Tree Work: Right of #7 Green

Winter Prep Work Complete- Covers Down

Last week, we wrapped up the steps we take to put the course to bed for the winter:

• Winterize Irrigation System
• Topdress Greens 
• Apply Preventive Snow Mold Applications to Greens, Tees & Fairways
• Pick Up Course Amenities (Bunker Rakes, Tee Markers, Benches, Etc.)
• Final Course Clean Up- Blow and Mow/Mulch Rough 
• Cover Greens for Winter
• Cut 8" Cups in Approaches (Goodman 9 Course)

After this last shot of rain, the course is really in great shape heading into the winter months.  We will stay busy with tree work, updating and restoring course amenities, snow removal and other projects we have put together for the winter.

Thanks for a great 2016 season and we look forward to an even better 2017!

Irrigation System- Blow Out

We're one step closer to putting the course to bed for the winter months.  We got the irrigation system blown out and back-flows removed for the winter.  It's looking like later this week is when covers will get put down and that'll wrap it up for a very successful 2016 season.  Be sure to check with the pro shop on the exact covering date!

Path Edge Repair

Aside from the daily leaf cleanup we took a few days so we could finish up some edge work around the cart paths.  Last month, we finished #2,#3, & #10 on the north side of the course and this week we knocked out #5 and #7/#9 on the south.  Due to the lack of available traffic area space on the course, these are continuous problems that we're going to be faced with every year.  We do our best rotating cart traffic with our rope & stakes, but they take a beating.  We have adjusted our fertility plan (increased) for the 2017 season in hopes to keep the areas as healthy as possible.  The finished product sure does improve the aesthetics of the hole!  

#5 Path Before & In Progress 

             

#5 Path Completed

#9 Path Prep Work and Completed