# 3 Red/Gold tee

     We have taken out the steps that went up to # 3 Red and Gold tee box.  The old tie steps rotted away.  We removed the steps and the landscaping.  Kaley moved most of the plants and used them at the Clubhouse.  We had 4 plants that were too big to move.  I believe the slope walking up to the tee in the rear is gentle enough we do not need anything.  If we have a problem with people slipping we can lay stepping stones in the ground to give golfers a path to walk up.  Until the sod heals we ask that you enter the tee from the rear.  The slope is not as steep and you are a lot less prone to fall or slip.

 Removing plants

 laying sod

Finished

Course

     The rain has finally ended.  We ended up with a total of 9.7'' of rain.  6.2'' from Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  3.5'' Wednesday and Thursday.  Golf Course will open today.  The Driving Range will remain closed today and open tomorrow.  The Golf Course is extremely wet.  Please be careful out there.  Please make sure you keep your carts on the paths at all times.  

Big White Oak

     We lost a big White Oak on # 12 rough yesterday.  After the 6 plus inches of rain the ole girl could not stay upright any longer.  This big White Oak was well over 100 years old.This will take some time to clean up.  We have the area roped off.  Please do not enter the ropes for any reason.  The tree has not fallen completely on the ground yet.  We do not want anyone seriously injured trying to retrieve a golf ball.  When it dries out we will begin to cut the tree up.

Tree was near Fence by second retention pond

It fell over fence in corner of Reigels corn field.

Bunkers

     Our new Bunkers had their first real test this past weekend.  We had a total of 6.2 inches of rain.  It took 4 people 2 hours to fix and rake the bunkers.  Holy cow what a huge difference.  Last year it would have taken 5 days for the bunkers to drain and after 5 days some of them would still have water in them.  Then it would have taken  6 to 7 people 8-10 hours to fix the bunkers. After 6 inches of rain you could have played out of every bunker before we raked them.  Here are a few pictures.

 This was the worst washout.  Took 5 minutes to fix.

 

 Little washing of #13 bunker.

 

 Green side bunker # 16 raked.

 

Remember this,  # 2 bunker last year.



Rain

     What a weekend we are having here.  I have recorded 6 inches of rain so far and counting.  The course is water logged.  If it keeps going we will surpass 7 inches.  The new bunkers are amazing  minimal washing and no standing water.  This is the first real test for them and they have passed.  New drainage in cart paths is also working great.  We have a lot less water draining into 9 fairway.  Course will remain closed all day today.  The 19th hole will be open for Lunch today.  Come on out and have some good food and drinks on this water logged day.

 # 1 Bunker amazing

 # 13 bunker

 # 16 green side bunker

 Spillway # 10

 Lake # 10

Fore The Golfer: Bunker Etiquette

Here is a video from the USGA on proper bunker etiquette.  We have a lot of people that do not rake the bunkers after playing a shot out of them.  It is every players responsibility to rake the bunker after they play out of it. You are doing this for the players that play behind you. We would prefer that you leave the rake in the bunker after you play your shot and rake out your foot prints.  Below is a picture of the bunker on # 10.  Notice the deep depressions in the sand.  If you were playing behind this person you could have the potential of having a really bad lie if your ball fell or rolled into this mess.  Proper bunker etiquette is just as important as fixing ball marks and replacing or filling divots.

Course Update

     It has been a while since my last post.  We have been very busy mowing the golf course.  Everything is a head of schedule by at least 2 to 3 weeks.  We have already mowed our Fairways and Tee's twice. That is unheard of this time of year.  Dan has been busy spraying for Broadleaf weeds.  We have been sodding some Turf Type Tall Fescue around our greens surrounds.  Last summer we lost quite a bit of turf around some of our greens.  We did some sodding last fall but only sodded the areas that had died.  We finished the rest of the greens so we have a more uniform look.  Holes 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were all done.  We also had to fix a clogged drain on # 2.  Trees are nice but they can cause problems with drainage and turfgrass health.  This time  the Hackberry tree to the west of # 2 bunker clogged up the drain line. We replace the drain line and sodded the area.  The new construction is coming along.  The Zoysia grass is a little behind but it is rooting and starting to green up.  The Fescue is doing really well.  It looks like we will have all new construction open for play by May 1st.  Course is in great shape.  I hope you all can take advantage of the good weather and come out to the Club for some Golf or relax at the clubhouse for some drinks and great food.

 New sod installed around 13 green

 

Tree roots in drain tile from #2 green.