Winter Fleet Servicing

The golf course is covered with snow but work continues for the golf course maintenance crew.  Glenn and Kevin are hard at work servicing our entire fleet of equipment.  Regular oil changes, lubing, cleaning, motor rebuilds, and reel grinding are just a few of the things that help keep our equipment running well through the season.

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Snow!

Snow has come early to the Ipswich Country Club! Two storms have turned our golf course into a winter wonderland yet again.

#18 covered in snow. This is before the heavier snow fell.

The Bunker renovation carried on as long as it could but due to the early snow the work has halted until the spring. Forty out of forty-one bunkers have been stripped of the old liner and are ready to be lined with gravel and sprayed. The work so far has been proceeding ahead of schedule. The craftsmanship that Fleetwood has demonstrated is exemplary and we are beyond excited to see the final product in the early spring.   FLEETWOOD IS ON SCHEDULE AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THEIR PROGRESS.

Fleetwood employees stripping the liner of #5 greenside bunkers after a light snow.



#5 greenside bunker nearly completely stripped of the old liner.





Tarps: Tees

Winter is coming and that means lots of preparation for the golf maintenance staff. Laying tarps down on certain areas of the golf course is one of the preparations. We began with some of our smaller tees like #5 white tee and #16 white and blue tees. The size of these tees coupled with how much play they get through out the year can take it's toll on them. We also put down tarps on the driving range tee and #14 gold. When we put tarps down on tees like this, it helps to keep them healthier during the winter. On average, the temperature of the ground with a tarp on it is around 20°F warmer than the ground without one. The warmer temperature will reduce the amount ice accumulation on the grass, it will allow the tee to begin growing earlier next spring and aid in divot recovery thereafter.

 

#14 Gold tee. Shown after fertilization and heavy topdressing.

 

#14 Gold tee with tarp.

 

Driving range tee with tarp

 

Bunker Rennovation Update: Polymer

Fleetwood has begun to spray the Better Billy Bunker polymer.

 

 

The polymer will need 24 hours in order to bind with the gravel properly and any disruption of the gravel could compromise its integrity. We have temporarily closed off some greens that have bunkers that have been recently sprayed in order to prevent any accidental damage to the new liner. We have cut temporary cups on these holes that will only be there as long as it takes for the polymer to bind properly.



Bunker Renovation Update: Gravel

Fleetwood has begun to line our bunkers with gravel.



#12 right side bunker

Each bunker will be lined with two inches of gravel. The gravel will be sprayed with the Better Billy Bunker polymer which will bind it together. This will form the new liner for our bunkers. Fleetwood currently has seven bunkers lined with gravel. The gravel needs to be completely dry before the polymer can be sprayed and because of this the completion date for the project is somewhat weather pending. Any inclement weather will slightly delay the completion of the project.



Ground Broken on the Bunker Rennovation Project

Fleetwood Services has broken ground on our bunker rennovation!

 

#12 left greenside bunker

They will begin by removing the old sand, drainage, and liner from the bunkers.

 



#12 right greenside bunker

 

They will then add and compact new fill to grade the bunker.

#12 left greenside bunker

After the bunker is graded they will dig new drainage lines.

 

#12 left greenside bunker

The new liner will consist of two inches of gravel bonded by the Better Billy Bunker Liner. We will be maintaining 4 inches of sand on the bases and two inches on the faces creating a continuous lip around the bunker edge.