The winter months are a great time to do tree trimming and shrub pruning. When the ground is frozen we are able to get large and heavy equipment into areas that are inaccessible any other time of the year.  Using a boom truck to do the necessary high level trimming can save time, and time is money. Another benefit is disease pathogens are inactive during the winter months and therefore not a serious risk to damaging our trees. However, a fresh cut or wound during the warmer months can be an easy entry point for diseases and pests.

Fall Colors

The fall colors are quickly approaching their peak providing breathtaking views around the golf course.

We have begun fairway aeration on the front nine holes and when they are complete we will start on the back nine holes.  We are well aware that everyone hates this process, but it is one of the most important agronomic processes that we do.  To minimize the inconvenience to our members we are only aerifying what can be completed each day.

The picture above is the finished product.  Not bad!

This week we had an arborist come in and install lightning protection on the Bur Oak near the green on hole #2.  This Bur Oak is one of the most beautiful specimens you will ever see, and it is critical to the way the hole plays.  A lightning rod was installed on each of the large main branches and is attached to a copper wire leading to a 10' ground rod buried outside the drip line.  If lightning were to strike, the electrical charge will be carried through the cable system and discharged through the ground rod, hopefully preventing any serious damage to the tree. 

Our new bentgrass greens have developed a deep and dense root system that will help them survive throughout the heat and humidity stresses of July and August.  You can see the roots sticking out at the bottom of this sample.

Establishing Collars

The new greens are looking very good and are still improving daily.  Now that we have a healthy root system established we are beginning to slowly raise the height of cut on the outside 28" to create the collar/apron.  The white paint spots are to help the guys mowing greens see the transition between the green and the collar.  Once we have the collars at the proper height we will no longer mark them with paint.

Cart Bunker First Tee

The new cart bunker and the first tee are nearing completion.  This week the blacktopping will be done, the doors will be installed and the final electrical hook-ups will be completed.  By the end of the week we should be able to move all of the golf carts into their new home.

 

Finishing touches are also happening on the topside of the new cart bunker.  Tee surfaces are maturing and the Bluegrass sod surrounding the tees has been laid.  This week the split rail fence will be installed and as soon as that is complete we will begin installing the landscaping.