Construction Update

The contractor recently finished the two tees on Grove #3 and has been working on the rock wall at Lakes #2 green.  The tees were sodded last week and bluegrass sod is coming next week to finish the surrounds.  The recent wet weather hasn't been ideal for working on Lakes #2, but the contractor anticipates being finished out there this week.  Similar to the wall on Lakes #6, the soil had settled and was eroding between the rocks, causing the rocks to be unstable and sink holes to form.  The contractor excavated the loose soil behind the wall, then installed filter fabric and washed gravel to stabilize the section.  The final step was to build up the settled area between the green and the wall with topsoil to create a runoff area for balls to stop on.  Once the soil dries out enough the maintenance staff will re-establish the collar around the green and the area will be sodded with bluegrass and maintained at rough height similar to Lakes #6.

Shaping Grove 3 tees

Maintenance staff installing bentgrass sod on Grove 3 tees

Settling and sink holes behind Lakes 2 green rock wall

Filter fabric, stone and topsoil installation along Lakes 2 green rock wall

Greens Aerification Update

The DryJect contractor was here on Monday & Tuesday and another successful aerification is behind us.  There was a slight frost delay Tuesday morning, but other than that the weather was perfect.  The maintenance staff did an incredible job (as they always do) keeping the machines moving and filled with sand.  Speaking of sand, approximately 65 tons (130,000 pounds!) was injected into the rootzone.  Keep in mind that all that sand is moved from our utility vehicles to the DryJect machines by the staff using 5-gallon buckets.  Using 25 pounds of sand in an average bucket equates to 5,200 buckets hauled over the two days.  The greens have been rolled several times since the process occurred, and we anticipate mowing this weekend.

DryJect machine being loaded with sand

Putting surface ready to be dragged then rolled

Divot Party

A group of members and staff recently got together for the first ever Divot Fillin' Party.  1,500 pounds of sand/seed mix was prepared and no one knew how far the group would get.  We started on Orchard #1 and filled every divot in sight on tees and fairways, moving like a well oiled machine through each hole.  In less than 2 hours the group used up all the divot mix and Orchard was complete!  We're looking at dates for future parties on Lakes and Grove, and would like to have all 3 nines done this season.

1,500 pounds of divot mix used

Hard at work on Orchard #1

A special thanks to Joe Beck for coming up with the idea and to Jimmy Brahm for coordinating everything!  We also need to thank the following members for volunteering their time and their continued passion for making the golf course/Club better.

Ralph Affinito

Dave Araneicka

Bob Cornell

Jack Fleury

Christine Flynn

Paul Geary

Ron Joseph

Dennis Meteny

Val Przezdecki

Beth Szymczak

Greens Aerification

The DryJect contractor had a last-minute cancellation and is scheduled to be here on Monday, 10/16 and Tuesday, 10/17.  The plan is to do the practice greens, Orchard and Lakes greens on Monday, then finish Grove greens on Tuesday.  The golf course will be open for regular play on Tuesday using a Lakes/Orchard and Orchard/Lakes rotation.  Please check with the golf shop regarding tee times on Tuesday.


Click here to learn more about the DryJect process

Click here to watch a YouTube video of the process

Grove 3 Fairway

There was approximately 3,500 square feet of bentgrass sod installed at the beginning of the fairway last week.  We knew there would be extra sod after the new tees were recently sodded, and felt this was the best place to use it.  The new sod for Grove 3 tees is scheduled to be installed the week of 10/16, and the remaining sod will be laid in the thin areas on the fairway.  The plan is to sod the worst areas on the fairway, while we incorporate more seed and topdressing sand into the smaller areas.

New bentgrass sod at the beginning of Grove 3 fairway

Understanding Frost Delays

Frost is common this time of year and can even occur when the air temperature is above freezing.  Frost will usually be evident at sunrise, as the air at ground level is warmed it becomes lighter and rises.  Colder, denser air will take the place of the warm air and can be 5-10 degrees cooler, thus creating frozen turf.  Frost usually "burns off" quickly in direct sunlight, but certain areas of the course are heavily shaded and take longer to thaw.  The maintenance staff monitors specific areas throughout the course on cool mornings to determine whether frost is present, and the decision to allow play is based on when those areas will be frost-free.  An easy way to tell if frost is present is by running your hand across the grass.  If the dew wipes away it's safe to walk on the turf.

Click here to watch a short video about frost from the USGA.

October Awareness

All month long you'll see pink flags, sticks and cups throughout the course in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Construction Update

The tee renovation is progressing nicely and the contractor is nearing completion of Grove #2 tees.  Sod installation is scheduled for Wednesday, 10/4 and Thursday, 10/5, and will finish the tees on Lakes #6, Orchard #9, Grove #2 and #9.

Work also started on Grove #3 gold tee this weekend to make room for stockpiling soil and sand.  All the tees on #3 are being renovated to some degree, and work will start on the gold tee and move forward.  Tree removal is also necessary on #3 due to their close proximity to the tees.  We found tree roots within the top 3 inches under the teeing surface of the gold tee, which explains why the turf decline was so severe.  Besides competition with the roots, the size of the trees block out much-needed sunlight and airflow, which is why the tees and surrounds are always wet.

Large rocks near the surface of Grove #9 blue tee.

Rocks from under Grove #9 blue tee.  Tough to produce good turf on top of rocks!

Leveling Grove #2 blue tee and moving the irrigation head so it's not on the tee surface.

Grove #2 blue tee ready for sand mix.