As I write this, the golf course is receiving a heavy downpour of rain. While this may create some work, it is perfect timing following the aeration programs that have been performed on greens. The rain will help work in the sand and soil amendments that have been applied over the last two weeks. The warm weather in the forecast is also a welcome sight. I have started to see a lot of green leaves breaking out of the bermudagrass but the prolonged winter has left us a few weeks behind a normal spring green up schedule.
The prolonged winter and above average snow cover has our team playing catch up. We made great strides over the past two weeks while completing aeration. Our team installed the wire and concrete bases for fans on holes 7 and 17. We renovated the dump/compost site right of #14, renovated our parking lot, and moved a 14 year old willow oak tree into the circle in front of the clubhouse. Our team will still be busy with a few tree removals and at least one drainage project as we ready the course for the prime golf season. Golf course conditioning and in particular putting green recovery will be our main focus for the next month. Our goal is to heal over from aeration quickly and begin providing great putting conditions.
Our team, along with the professionals from Arborscapes transplanted this willow oak on Monday. This willow oak was selected from this property for this project because of its size and location. This tree was going to quickly out grow its previous location so the best solution was to move it into the new bed inside of the traffic circle. This saved money over purchasing a tree and preserved this tree from having to be removed. This tree will now become the focal point of this bed and provide a great "namesake tree" for future generations. Arborscapes carefully removed the soil around the roots with an air spade. This tool blasts pressurized air into the ground to allow for the entire root system to be exposed and moved with the tree. The tree was then placed in its new location and temporarily roped off to support the tree until it can take root. This is one of the final steps in the renovation to the traffic circle. The flag pole was removed and a new flag pole was installed between the pool and the patio. This location allows the flag to be a focal point from the golf course as well as the club. The traffic circle bed was expanded with new masonry, irrigation and lighting installed. The final portion of this project will be sod and plant material installations next week. This project was constantly delayed due to weather but will be a great improvement. Two more projects are planned and budgeted in grounds this year including the renovation of the landscape beds in front of the old house as well as new hardscaping and landscaping leading into tennis. These projects will keep our team hopping in grounds but will be great additions to the club.
Have a great weekend,
Jordan Booth, CGCS
jbooth@willowoakscc.org
