#15 Creek Work

Work began on 11/5 reshaping the creek that had eroded dangerously close to the cart path. Our contractor spent 7 days excavating, installing a larger pipe, and adding 10 truck loads or 270 tons of rock. Once he was finished our staff prepped and sodded the work site. Below are before, during and after pics.

Before


 

Banks being sloped

Rock being added

Finishing touches

Bunker Sand Additions

Over the past couple of years the sand depths had become critically low. Without enough sand it is extremely difficult to maintain playable and maintenance friendly bunkers. Although we hand rake bunkers on a daily bases, following heavy rain events it is necessary to use the bunker machine to repair them. During this process a push blade and plow is used to redistribute sand. If sand levels are low the machine grabs and tears the fabric lining the bottom.

Last month 8 truck loads or 205 tons of sand were added. Our goal of filling them to proper levels has been accomplished. Remember that it will take several months for the sand to settle. During this time you will see an increase in plugged balls.

Cart Path Update

Broken sections of cart path on #"s 11,12,13,16 and 18 have been replaced. The total area is 2500 sq ft or 312 linear ft of path. Below are a couple of pictures before and after on #13. Thanks again for your patience.

Before

After

Cart Path Repairs

Beginning the week of 8/13 sections of broken paths will be repaired on #'s 11,12,13,16 and 18. If all goes well it should take 6 or 7 working days to complete. During the process dump trucks and machines hauling concrete will be back and forth many times in the work areas. We apoligize up front for any incoveniences this may cause. I'll provide you with an update next week.

Flooding Rains, High Winds and Lightning Damage!

Since midnight we have received 7.20" of rain. Debris has been scattered along creek banks and pinestraw areas have been washed. Bunkers are washed severely and will take several days to restore. Lightning struck the tree next to #3 green and a couple of large trees on #8 were blown over in the high winds. Less than 2 weeks removed from the crippling lightning strike to our irrigation system, it has suffed more damage. Constant lightning has blow many fuses and damaged on couse satellite components.The majority of our resources will used to get the course back in playable condition by the weekend.

Bunker on #9

Trees next to #8 tee

Tree hit by lighting on #3

Lightning Strike

On 7/18 a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of #18 green. I wrote a short story of the event and the damage it caused and sent it to James Spann of abc33/40. Below is the link to the weather blog that he posted it to. You may have to scoll down because of new material added periodically.

http://www.alabamawx.com/

Verticutting Greens

On Mon.and Tues. of this week greens were verticut and topdressed. Over time bermudagrass greens become so densly packed with plants that is is necessary to thin them out. By verticutting and topdressing it helps to reduce scalping, dilute organic matter, increase firmness and promote new growth. It takes about 3-4 days to return to smooth conditions and about 8-10 to completely heal. This practice is vital to maintain healthy greens.



In this pic the mower is cutting the plants that are stood up as a result of the verticutting.

Grass removed off of the putting green. 

Brushing in the topdressing. 



Strong Storms

Between yesterday and this morning two different thunderstorm complexes blew through. They brought high winds and dumped 2+ inches of rain. The results are 2 trees down at the clubhouse, 2 trees struck by lightning next to #12 cart path, scattered debris and bunkers that are washed.

Our first priority is to remove the fallen trees and clean up the debris. We are hopeful to put bunkers back together by mid week.

Green and Tee Aerification

On April 30th we began aerifying greens. I've listed the many steps below to help you understand what goes into this process from start to finish.

1. One week prior .6 of a pound of quick release nitrogen is applied. This is key as it will encourage growth when the process begin.
2. Greens were verticut 1/16" deep 2 directions following up and down the same pass.
3. Following they were aerified on a 1.6" x 2" spacing using a .480 i.d. tine.
4. Plugs are then pushed into piles and removed.
5. Greens are rolled 2 directions to help firm the surface.
6. Prior to topdressing granular forms of calcium, potassium and minor elements are applied.
7. Greens are then buried under a blanket of sand (approx.52 tons) and allowed to dry.
8. A drag brush is used to sift the dry sand into the holes.
9. Following the drag brush we will use backpack blowers to scatter the heavier areas.
10. They are then rolled 2 more times.

If we are not delayed by weather it usually take about 3 days to complete. Following the completion the greens are allowed to sit 5-7 days before they are mowed for the first time. Generally the height starts out at.125 of an inch the first few times they are mowed. Once the sand begins to get incorporated into the canopy we will begin lowering the heights down to our goal of .095 - .105.

During our closed time tees were aerified and topdressed as well. Below are several pictures of the process.



Aerifying #2

Healthy White Roots

Following Clean Up Process

Heavy Topdressing Prior To Brushing

Aerifying #14 Tee





Spring Pre-Emerge/Fertilizer

On Tues. 4/3 Harrell's applied our spring pre-emerge/fertilizer. The mix was a 33-0-9 which contained Ronstar (pre-emerge), 2.5lbs. of nitrogen (2lbs.of which is controlled release) and .75lbs. of potassium. It was applied to 120 acres at the rate of 333lbs. per acre then watered in. This will protect us against weed germination and provide the necessary nutrients through the summer. Here are a couple of pictures of the spreader truck in action on #6.

New Pavement

A portion of the access road  behind #14 green has been paved using asphalt. The surrounding area was then sodded using 6 pallets of zoysia. Below are before and after pics.

Looking towards the green (before)

Looking away from the green (after)

GIS

Last week I attended the golf industry show in Las Vegas. This conference offers many education opportunities and showcases many of the manufactures in our industry in a trade show event.

Day one and two consisted of 16 hrs. of continuing education.My first seminar (Expanding the Boundaries of Ultradwarf Bermudagrasses in the Upper South and Transition Zones) talked about the challenges of maintaining ultradwarf greens.Topics of discussion were aerification, pest control, topdressing, covering and painting. My second seminar (Greens Aerification and Water Management by the Numbers ) focused in depth on successful aerification programs and the use of wetting agent to maintain proper moisture in the greens profile.

Day three and four was the trade show event. During this time I had the opportunity to visit with many manufactures and see the latest in technology.

Attending the GIS allows me to maintain my class A status as a golf course superintendent through continuing education and keep up with the ever changing industry.

#13 Project Update

The project that began in the middle of  December is nearly complete. Once the pipe was installed (mid Dec.) the weather worked against us in the way of frequent rains. Since the last week of January we have installed 24 pallets of sod and many landscaping plants. As of this morning there is a few detail items left to take care of.

This project would not have gone as smooth without the cooperation of the Lager's. Thank you for your patience and understanding.



Taken from the home owners lawn during the big dig

Same view but of the finished product

A portion of the finished area in the rough



Greens

Due to the low temperture being at or below 22 degrees, greens will be covered this morning and remain covered until Mon. The tempertures that are used are at http://www.abc3340.com/. Below is a couple pics of #9 during the process.



 



Drainage Update #13

Last week the work site was graded and 20 of the 23 pallets of sod needed were installed. Our goal this week is to finish the sod, apply pre-emerge and roll the entire area.

The second piece of the puzzle involves the homeowners lawn where the failed drainage pipe was removed. We have developed a punch list of items to be done over the next couple of weeks including sod,pinestraw and rock work to name a few.We have also been working closely with the owners to ensure they are satisfied with the end product.




Sod installation on 2/1



Pipe Installation #13

As many of you have noticed, we are currently involved in a project next to #13 green. A few months ago the homeowner adjacent to the green reported sink holes in his lawn; at the time we were not sure if it was related to the drainage system for the golf course. After extensive research using a robotic camera and exploratory digging,  it was concluded a drainage pipe from the course had collapsed. Our original goal was to repair the failed sections of pipe that crossed the homeowners property.  Unfortunately, once the pipe was exposed we realized there were many more failed sections than originally thought. Based on these findings, we determined the best option would be to cap off both ends of the 24", 300 foot pipe and install a new one on the course property.

New techniques approved by the pipe manufacturer regarding the installation of back fill aggregates were used to ensure the longevity of the newly installed pipe. Unlike the old pipe and back fill, the newly installed pipe called for an aggregate to be used below, around and on top of the pipe. The aggregate chosen was #57 limestone. 

Weather combined with the scope of work has made this project difficult to complete. On the course we still need to do a final grade to the areas prior to any sod being installed. On the homeowner's property we have grade work, sod installation and landscape installation left to complete.

Below are several pictures of the process. As we begin to move forward I will provide more updates.






Notice the crushed pipe in the homeowners lawn at the bottom of a 20 foot hole

Contractor installing pipe

Aggregate being installed around pipe

Connection being made at drain inlet on the course