2012 Planned Projects and Winter Cart Path Restrictions

Thursday, December 01, 2011 Projects

Last night was the final Green Committee meeting of the year.  The committee voted on projects for 2012 based on the best utilization of the operating budget.  The four projects were selected from a master list of top 20 projects that has been developed over the course of 2011.  The projects that were selected include hardscaping the areas around the water coolers, renovating the area to the left of number nine fairway, renovating the area between the tenth hole and the twelfth hole and renovating the rough around the twelfth tee.  The rest of the master list includes but is not limited to bunker renovations (asphalt liner installations), tree line renovations, drainage installations, and turf conversions.  When the committee chooses a project, the project is meticulously planned and priced by our management team prior to the committee placing the project on the master list.  These projects are then prioritized based on price, condition of area to be renovated, and playability.  Acts of nature such as flooding will impact the completion dates of these projects.  The 2012 planned projects are described and pictured below.

1. Renovate the area between the tenth and twelfth fairways.
Goals:  a. Remove dead or decaying trees
b.  Remove trees to increase sunlight and allow for turf installation
c.  Create mulch beds around remaining trees to promote tree health
d.  Create an aesthetically pleasing, playable area through the installation of turf

Work will begin to the left of #10 tees.  This leaning Pine was struck by lightning and will have to be removed this winter.

The area between 10 and 12 is poor and needs to be renovated to improve playability.

This project will begin almost immediately.  Tree work is always a winter focus but the dead, decaying, and weak specimen trees will be remove this winter to allow for better growing conditions.  The remaining trees will be grouped into mulch beds with the remaining areas being sodded and sprigged to T-10 bermudagrass.  This area has always been poor and barren and this project will provide a much needed improvement.  

2.  Renovate the area to the left of the ninth fairway.
Goals: a.Allow more sunlight onto #9 fairway
b. Remove dead or decaying trees
c.  Remove trees to increase sunlight and allow for turf installation

d.  Create mulch beds around remaining trees to promote tree health

e.  Create an aesthetically pleasing, playable area through the installation of turf
f.  Remove ditch/hazard to the left of the cart path on #9

This project was started by adding topsoil and cleaning up the area of underbrush.  Seed was planted to control erosion of the new topsoil.  This established turf was a cheap, easy erosion control method that leaves the area aesthetically pleasing until the project is completed.  The turf will be sprayed out in order for the area to be sprigged and sodded.

This picture was taken at 10 a.m.  The ninth fairway stays shaded most of the day.  This leads to poor, wet conditions and a potential for winterkill.

Dead and decaying trees will be removed as well as poor specimen trees to allow for good bermudagrass growing conditions.  Mulch beds will be installed around the remaining trees.  The ditch in this tree line will be removed and pipe will be installed to maintain proper drainage.

This project is already well under way.  Underbrush has been cleared and drainage has been installed.  Topsoil was added to level this area while we had some extra time this fall.  The seed was established as an erosion control method to prevent the new topsoil from wind and water erosion.  This grass will be sprayed out so that T-10 bermudagrass can be installed.  The new T-10 will be installed from the bridge at #17 green to the tees at #13.  The area behind #14 green that was intended to be fine fescue will be converted to T-10 as well.  This entire area needs improvement and the increased sunlight in #9 fairway will promote turf quality and limit cart path restrictions.

3. Renovate the entire area surrounding #12 Tee Complex
Goals a.  Replace Fine Fescue with T-10 bermudagrass
b.  Replace Tall Fescue with T-10 bermudagrass
c.  Remove unnecessary mulch beds and replace with turf
d.  Improve aesthetics and playability of this area

The area between #12 tees and #14 tees will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.

The tall fescue in front of the twelfth tee will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.  The TifSport walking trail will remain intact.  This area will connect this project to the project planned between #10 and #12.

The area between #10 Green and #11 Green and #12 Tees will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.  The intended turf in this area was fine fescue.  This was not an acceptable playing surface for this area.

This is a much needed project and will really change the landscape around the eleventh green, twelfth tee complex, and thirteenth green.  All of the old fine fescues will be removed and T-10 bermudagrass will be installed with sod and sprigs.  The T-10 bermudagrass will add some contrast to the landscape vs. the TifSport bermudagrass and will provide a much better playing surface than the mowed down fine fescue. 

4. Hardscape Installation around Water Cooler Stations
Goal:  Create a consistent, clean look for all of the golf course amenities.

Our team will install a cobblestone hardscape around each of these water cooler stations to develop a crisp, consistent look.  The mulch beds will be removed or adapted for landscaping.  The locations of these amenities will remain the same.  You might have noticed unnecessary mulch beds being removed around the golf course this year.  

Two last notes

Chipping and pitching are prohibited on the practice putting green at the driving range.  Chipping and putting are allowed on the practice putting green behind the clubhouse.

Carts will be restricted to the path starting Tuesday December 13.  This protects the dormant turf from traffic while it is not actively growing.  Handicapped flags will be allowed when weather permits.  The Policy on Exceptions to Carts on Path Only During Winter Dormant Season can be found here.

Have a great weekend.