Reel to Reel

With the driving range tee seeded, we are shifting our attention to the landing area.  Over the next few weeks we will be doing extensive work to improve the drainage and aesthetics.  I'm confident we will be able to make significant improvements.  However, we are limited to what we can do because the driving range is built on peat, which is very unstable. A fairway that runs through the middle of the range will be created to serve as a more appealing target.  The existing fairway bunkers will be removed and five new ones will be created in more strategic areas.  We have started the process by killing off the area that will become the new fairway.  Once this grass is completely dead, it will be easier for us to start shaping and moving soil around. new fairway is starting to die  

Yesterday we laid over 8,400 ft² of sod on the driving range tee bank and seeded the tee.  All we need now is favorable weather for germination.  A big thanks to my staff for all of their efforts this week. They did an amazing job! laying sod early Thursday morning   tee bank sodded   west end of driving range tee Friday morning   ryegrass seed we used is coated to help protect seedlings   panoramic view  

Today we worked on the finish grade and leveled irrigation heads on the driving range tee.  Tomorrow we will put the finishing touches on the tee before the seed and sod work begins Thursday. getting closer to the finish grade   irrigation head being installed On the course, fairways 6 & 7 and the short range were aerified today, bringing fairway core aerification to a close.  this is what 2.4 million cores looks like on #7 fairway

We had an extremely productive day and made a lot of progress on the renovation of the driving range tee.  Today's activities included: removing the existing sod and rough grading the new tee.  Below are a few pictures from the project. removal of existing sod tee in progress leveling the soil soil moved from the east to west side of the tee

We had another three good days of fairway aerification this week.  Holes 5, 8, 11-16 were all completed.  We are more than 67% through the process with over 693,000 ft² aerified. The remaining fairways (1-4, 7) will be completed next week. aerification of  #13 fairway close up of cores on #5 fairway tines need to be replaced about half way thru the entire process due to wear Reminder: The driving range will close for the season and renovation on Tuesday, September 23.  The scope of the project will include the tee being leveled, as well as improving the drainage in the landing area.

We are seeing new bentgrass plants growing up in the aerification holes on the greens.  We have overseeded with bentgrass seed as a part of our aerification process for the last several years.  We have seen a large percentage of this seed germinate due to the early timing of our aerification.  When we aerify at the end of August, soil and air temperatures are still very warm and conducive for seed germination.  bentgrass seed new seedlings emerging on #2 green   Slowly but surely, we are gaining more and more bentgrass in our greens.

Fairway aerification started today.  We completed fairways 9, 10, 17 and 18.  After the first day the projected schedule has already changed due to severe weather forecasted tomorrow.  Aerification will most likely continue Friday on fairways 8, 11, 15, and 16. Hector and Jose aerifying  #18 fairway close-up of  3" cores Hector and Jose almost done with #18 Brendan chopping cores on #18 fairway #18 fairway all cleaned up  

It was a good week as we crossed tee aerification off the list.  We got a late start due to inclement weather Monday, but we were able to shift certain maintenance practices around and got it done by Thursday. David aerifying #18 tee Myles chopping plugs on #11 tee  #18 white tee finished product We will begin fairway aerification next week.  Due to scheduled golf outings and men's fall league, the aerification schedule will be spread throughout the month.  Below are the tentative dates for the first 6 fairways.  This operation is weather sensitive, therefore the schedule is subject to change. 9/9  -  fairways #10 and #18 9/10 - fairways #11 and #17 9/12 - fairways #12 and #15