Tree Work: Fall 2015

We have begun tree work on hole #9. We has been clearing out large pines and oaks to the left the tees. We are felling these trees in order to allow more sunlight and airflow to reach the tee. This will ensure that the tee will be more dense and healthy for the 2016 season.

Tree Work: Limbing

 Recently we have begun to limb certain trees at the clubhouse and at various points of the golf course. The trees that are being limbed are beginning to grow limbs that are either encroaching into the path of golf shots or becoming unsightly. We are limbing these trees by utilizing a rope climbing technique.

DJ climbing and pruning

Winter Wonderland

The first snowflakes have touched down onto the fairways. The snow storm we had last Tuesday left the golf course covered in a shell of snow and ice. The shell makes for some pretty lousy golf conditions but leaves the golf course in a uniquely beautiful state. 

This picture was taken from #8 fairway. I was looking towards #18 red tee.

Demolition at Swim and Tennis

We began the new year by doing some demolition at the Swim and Tennis facility. We started by tearing up the carpet in the Men's and Women's locker rooms. We then removed the toilet and stalls. Once the area was clear of those obstacles we began to tear up the tile floor in the shower. We rented an impact hammer and used it to force the tiles up from the sub floor. The renovation turned out great!

Kevin tearing up the carpet in the lobby.

Kevin using the impact hammer.

Snow Mold

We have finally thawed out enough to see a few of our fairways. After such an intense winter, we were very nervous about the condition of the turf. While a majority of the fairways survived the winter unscathed, a few did not fair as well.

View of the hill on #3 from the green.

View of the approach and fairway of #12 from the green.

These fairways contracted a nasty case of Pink Snow Mold. This disease is a very common occurrence when any grass is under snow cover for a prolonged amount of time. We are fortunate that the damage that the disease causes is both cosmetic and temporary. We are happy to report that the affected fairways have already nearly recovered.

#3 fairway from the green, two weeks later.

#12 fairway from the green, two weeks later.

Bunker Face Compaction

Recently we finished compacting the faces of our bunkers. We attached a rope to a steel plate compactor and pulled it up the faces. This substantially firmed up the bunker faces. We will compact the faces of the bunkers once more this season.

Monte and TJ compacting a bunker face on #1.

Tree Removal at the Clubhouse Parking Lot

Recently we removed two pine trees from the parking lot of the clubhouse. One of these trees was located near the practice facility and earlier in the year had been struck by lightning. The tree did not survive the strike and began to drop limbs and bark at an alarming rate. The other tree was located near the parking lots. This tree's health had been declining over the past few years and it was starting to pose a risk of falling in a storm. The two trees were removed using a massive crane. The procedure went swiftly and safely.

Pine tree in the parking lot being prepped for removal

The top of the tree being lifted clear of the trunk after it was cut